Working out/Eating less -> Horrific Gas??

TehSloth

So, I'm not sure if this is weird.

I'm really out of shape, but about a week and a half or two weeks ago I started seriously cutting back on how much I eat, trying to avoid really unhealthy stuff, and working out. I've been hitting the gym almost every night for ~45 minutes of cardio and doing some weight stuff (missed a couple nights in that span). I haven't added much in the way of new foods to my diet except for being more consistent about having something for breakfast, which I used to very rarely do and I've started drinking protein smoothies (milk, frozen fruit, protein powder) usually one for breakfast and one after I workout. Since Tuesday I've had REALLY offensive gas in the evenings, nothing painful, just rank, and now it seems to have stuck with me all night. I first attributed it to Labor Day cookout leftovers (baked beans) but that was a couple days ago now. Didn't notice it during the day the last couple days so I was thinking maybe it's related to my workouts? Is it an indicator that my body is getting rid of all the awful I've done to it for the last couple decades? The only other thing I can think of is that it might be the protein powder or the milk. I've never had problems digesting milk before that I can recall but I've been drinking a lot more of it than I ever have in the past, could it be a lactose intolerance thing? Either way it didn't start until over a week into incorporating them into my diet.

Just wanna know if I should be nixing the protein, switching to something like almond milk, or if it's just natural so I should stock up on air fresheners and be sure to obtain as much distance from other human beings as possible when I feel a rumbling.

Kakodaimonos

It's the protein powder. Quite a few people have that reaction to it. You can cut down on the amount you have or try a different type of protein powder.

Fantasma

Cut the protein smoothies for a few days if you can, I had the same problem with a brand I can't remember. If you get better, you have found the problem, I must confess I developed IBS several years ago, so I am more sensitive than you.

Dr. Frenchenstein

yeah change up your protein powder, what kind are you using?

TehSloth

I'm using Muscle Pharm Combat, had heard good things but it may just not agree with me.

Karrmer

Protein powder is usually just whey and/or casein, basically like concentrated milk. Dairy and wheat/some veggies etc are notorious for causing gas. When I stick to eating my diet perfectly (meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies only) I basically never fart, ever, but throw me some milk and a sandwich and it'll be rip city.

So if you stick with the protein shakes, you'll have some brutal gas to go with it.

Erios

Whey protein concentrate is usually the offender, with casein being a bit more gentle on people's stomachs. The WPC in Combat will drive the situation. You also might not be getting as much fiber and key minerals like magnesium in your diet, which is common among people new to dieting. Throw in a higher protein count and you have less regularity and more gas.

Cabezone

There's no good reason for you to be taking protean supplements, with your workout load, if your'e eating at least the equivalent to a chicken breast a day.

JohnnyCache

Cabezone wrote: »

There's no good reason for you to be taking protean supplements, with your workout load, if your'e eating at least the equivalent to a chicken breast a day.

This. Protein powder is for people who can't gain any more weight. eating it while on a weight loss regimen is a sure fire way to badly digest a bunch of extra protein and ... well...you know.

What you need to be supping with is lots of water, a multivitamin, and maybe something for joint health. You shouldn't need extra calories or protein until you're ready to turn your program around and start putting lean weight back on.

Madpoet

Had a very similar reaction when I went high protien/low carb. Yoghurt helped immensely. My trainer recommended sauerkraut, but I never got a taste for it.

Erios

JohnnyCache wrote: »

Cabezone wrote: »

There's no good reason for you to be taking protean supplements, with your workout load, if your'e eating at least the equivalent to a chicken breast a day.

This. Protein powder is for people who can't gain any more weight. eating it while on a weight loss regimen is a sure fire way to badly digest a bunch of extra protein and ... well...you know.

What you need to be supping with is lots of water, a multivitamin, and maybe something for joint health. You shouldn't need extra calories or protein until you're ready to turn your program around and start putting lean weight back on.

Protein powder isn't the ideal cutting food, but it's not terrible. I do hope you guys aren't suggesting someone who is cutting weight should eat less than large amounts of protein (say, about 1g/lb lean mass per day).

Also, OP, yogurt helped in my case as well.

JohnnyCache

Erios wrote: »

JohnnyCache wrote: »

Cabezone wrote: »

There's no good reason for you to be taking protean supplements, with your workout load, if your'e eating at least the equivalent to a chicken breast a day.

This. Protein powder is for people who can't gain any more weight. eating it while on a weight loss regimen is a sure fire way to badly digest a bunch of extra protein and ... well...you know.

What you need to be supping with is lots of water, a multivitamin, and maybe something for joint health. You shouldn't need extra calories or protein until you're ready to turn your program around and start putting lean weight back on.

Protein powder isn't the ideal cutting food, but it's not terrible. I do hope you guys aren't suggesting someone who is cutting weight should eat less than large amounts of protein (say, about 1g/lb lean mass per day).

Also, OP, yogurt helped in my case as well.

Protein is very very "in vogue" right now as dieting goes, lo-carb, slo-carb, keto, paleo, all that stuff....but if you are eating quality normal food, you do not need a protein supplement. Protein from supplements is designed to be digested and doesn't have the same "protein handicap" as protein from whole food. A serving of lean protein in the form of food is going to be infinitely more effective and palatable, and actually teach you how to cook something, and not make you shit bricks and fart constantly. In general if a fitness solution can be reduced to "buy a specialized product," just ignore it and spend the time and money at the gym or doing an activity. The regular schmoe needs to work with food first and sups second.

Fantasma

OP, if you still want to consume your protein, you could try to reduce the gas with Probiotic Yogurt or Digestive Enzymes.

Good luck