Hi all, I've been Paleo for about 7 weeks now. Although I love the great skin, trim figure and the food, I've been having a recurrent problem that just won't go away - diarrhea. It's strange, because I'm regular, it's not like I need to run to the bathroom or anything, but the stools are not normal. And this is EVERY DAY, for the whole 7 weeks! I was hoping by now that I would get over it but I haven't. I don't know what to do. I feel great otherwise! I don't want to give up on Paleo, but I'm confused as to what could be causing it and why it hasn't gone away in all this time.

Here is what I'm eating: I drink only water (very occasional treat is coconut water), and eat raw organic veggies (carrots, crimini mushrooms, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, avocado), 100% grass-fed meats and eggs, some oily fish (mackerel), and for snacks and treats: pork rinds, turkey jerky, coconut macaroons (just coconut, honey and egg whites). I use salad dressings made of olive oil, lemon juice and/or tahini (ground sesame seeds). I cook with olive oil or coconut oil. I have a small amount of dried or fresh fruit such as raisins, dried apples, or fresh berries. Occasionally I will have banana which seems to soothe my stomach. Lately I've had a slice or two of the Ezekiel sprouted bread to try to soothe the problem too, but it doesn't seem to work. Unfortunately, the only thing that seems to help is eating a slice or two of normal whole grain bread, which I don't want to do if I can help it!

Anyone have any ideas? I'm getting really frustrated and worried that I might be hurting myself by sticking with the diet with the continuing digestive problems. HELP!

P.S. Could it be all the raw veggies? I never used to eat very many raw veggies before. Oh -and I'm trying to keep the protein to around 5-6 oz. per day.

Oh, that's terrible! Sorry to hear that! But at least you have been to identify the trigger is pork. The problem for me is that it's not instantaneous by any means. If it was, I could tell what was the offending food. I'm so confused and frustrated....I really don't want to give up and eat bread again!

Ok, I'm gonna be TMI too.  Is what you're experiencing full-on gut roiling, intestine cramping, OMG-gotta-go-right-now diarrhea that is practically the consistency of water?  Or is it an otherwise normal pooping experience that just happens to feature looser stools than usual?  Because if it's the latter rather than the former, my sister and I both experience exactly the same thing on paleo.  We were wondering if that's what "normal" is supposed to be.  If I really want to, I can firm everything up again by eating dairy; just a few tablespoons of cream in some coffee or tea will do it.

If it's the former, then my guess would be you are eating something that your body doesn't like.  If it happens within 15-30 minutes after eating it's called "gastric dumping."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_dumping_syndrome  I get this from any kind of vegetable oil other than olive oil or coconut oil.

I just had a thought as I was typing.  Maybe it's indicative of a change in gut flora?  Different beasties in your gut eat different things, so when you change your diet you change your bacteria.

this has happened to me too recently after eating pork. not too long after eating i start to get cramps and have to run to the bathroom. i wonder if its due to the salt content or if there are any other added chemicals, such as nitrates. either way it didn't agree with me..

Are you eating pork or are you eating bacon and ham?
IMO- Cured meats are no longer just that meat, but a meat product.

No, I haven't been eating pork meat or ham, although I do eat pork rinds. (Which are somewhat salty). Otherwise I don't have much salt at all, besides some jerky here and there.

Or is it an otherwise normal pooping experience that just happens to feature looser stools than usual?  Because if it's the latter rather than the former, my sister and I both experience exactly the same thing on paleo.

Yes, it is exactly that - normal except that the stools are very loose and oftentimes watery (sorry TMI!!!). But not gut-wrenching or running to the bathroom or anything. In fact, my tummy feels fine, and I feel great, my skin looks fabulous too, it's just very loose stools, for 7 weeks now. Sigh...

ETA: What is a probiotic? Is there a food that has probiotics (I hate taking supplements or pills). Would sauerkraut or kim chi work?

ETA2: I'll try cooking my broccoli (although I hate the taste of cooked broccoli & cabbage, but I think you're right - it makes a difference), and try eating only whole fruit not dried.

Are the pork rinds a problem possibly? Or the coconut macaroons?

coconut does have a laxative effect.

i have noticed this too when on the diet--a pasty consistency. not enough fat? too much protein, or food in general? i don't know.

Oh man, sorry to hear that, JWSthe3rd...I was hoping it was just something I was doing wrong!   

I don't understand how something can make me feel so good, and look so good, make me have digestive problems! 

I'll try a few of these suggestions but I don't know how much longer I can take it...