The Vegan Poop Post

By Published On: 10 September 2011Last Updated: 19 January 2019

Yes, you read the title right. We're talking potty talk today with Dr. Greger from Nutrition Facts.

What's in this post

If you knew me personally, you’d see that I’m not one to be afraid to talk about poop. Specifically, having healthy eliminations. Like urine, your poo says a lot about what you’ve been consuming; it’s pretty significant to know how things are processing.

The word “poop” comes from the Middle English word poupen or popen which originally meant “fart.” The word evolved into “poop” (with its current meaning) around 1900.

So, what is poop exactly? Water, dead bacteria, indigestible fiber, a mixture of fats, phosphates, live bacteria, dead cells and mucus (from the lining of the intestines), and protein.  So, why does poop smell?  Simply put, the smell of poo comes from what you eat. Those who eat meat enjoy a much stinkier poo, while those who do not have a less pungent smell.  So as you can see, what you put in affects what you put out.

Everyone Does It, But Vegans Do It Better

Not surprisingly, vegans have the best poop in the land according to a recent study done by the University of Bristol. I’m going to let Dr. Greger from Nutrition Facts give you the scoop on poop though; he does it with more grace and composition than I’d ever have using the term, “smooth vegan snakes.”

Get Evidence-Based Nutrition Facts

If you’ve never heard of NutritionFacts.org, then you’re missing out. I love this site. Launched in August of this year, NutritionFacts.org is a labor of love featuring all the videos from Dr. Greger’s past Latest in Clinical Nutrition DVDs, split into hundreds of bite-sized topical segments that can be searched and shared. Dr. Greger’s videos are strictly science-based with citations, which makes them the perfect resource for discussing our vegan health.

Dr. Greger has committed to uploading a new video every day for an entire year, so there’s always something fresh for us to learn. Folks can, and should, subscribe to the daily video feed here NutritionFacts.org. And, come on, with videos like this one- why wouldn’t you subscribe?

Photo credit: Charleen Angle-Traegner

14 Comments

  1. Rajan March 24, 2021 at 7:02 pm - Reply

    I am having no.1 on vegan diet, drinking enough water and enough vegetables, no junk food, still no.1. What to do please suggest

  2. Super Pooper July 15, 2020 at 3:58 pm - Reply

    Hey I read this article to find out what color is normal / average for vegan poop. My poop is brown normally but green (like Saag) when I get the opportunity to have a lot of salad greens. The green freaks me out!

  3. Chef Jimmy December 5, 2019 at 7:03 pm - Reply

    No poop should be too soft – that indicates possible malabsorption.. The poop should be firm enough that it keeps shape and has at lease a diameter of a Ball Park hot dog. Thinner than that means it is too soft. Watch out, too much fruit can put you at risk for diabetes. Fruit is full of sugar. Raw Vegan isnt for everyone and you shouldn’t start out raw. Raw also puts you at risk for bad bacteria – even if you wash the veg first, some microbes will remain.

  4. Healthy Poop – Blog-ku February 1, 2016 at 10:22 pm - Reply

    […] The Vegan Poop Post […]

    • Druzi April 23, 2019 at 3:33 pm - Reply

      I became vegan cold turkey two months ago, and it’s been the best thing in the world! My mood is always good, my severe endometriosis cramps are G-O-N-E, and my poop smells like pina-colada haha. And fun fact is that PETA says we, vegans, can sell our poop for fecal transplants (Yes, there’s such thing and it’s saving people’s lives) for $40 per ‘package’ LOL.
      I go to the bathroom 2 to 3 times a day, and it’s so full of fibers that it looks more like a porridge than a snake. Is it bad?

  5. […] that episode, House was wrong in his assertion that vegetarians shit like rabbits, only producing hard little pellets (veggie folk eat a lot of […]

  6. […] that episode, House was wrong in his assertion that vegetarians shit like rabbits, only producing hard little pellets (veggie folk eat a lot of […]

  7. Emily March 19, 2014 at 9:14 pm - Reply

    Over the past week I have gone 100% raw vegan. I have always had normal poops at least twice a day. Since becoming raw vegan I cannot poop! I’m fining that I’m I’m constipated and no ideas on to why this is happening. Any thoughts?

    • Connor March 13, 2017 at 8:17 pm - Reply

      I was on and off raw vegan for the last month or so and just recently after getting plenty of hydration from juicy fruits, vegetable juice, coconut, pumpkin seed milk, etc and also eating a LOT the shits are now A1. seriously i just passed one and it was beyond soft, it was full of fiber and was so soft it didnt even get packed into a sausage, it kind of just fell out, and because i eat so much fruit it Seriously. Didn’t. Even. Stink. as a matter of fact it had a sweet smell to it. Another thing i noticed is that once i stopped stressing over my bowel movements so much and just let it come when it wanted i started going 2-4 times a day.

    • Hannah April 23, 2018 at 3:45 pm - Reply

      It’s because you are consuming (probably) a lot more insoluble fiber and raw vegetables….. it backs you up just as much as too much protein. Try oil. Just sauté your veggies and don’t be afraid of the fats. Lay off more than 300 calories in nuts. Especially if your having legumes like beans and lentils. (In one day) start with easy veggies like carrots green beans and squash. (Cooked) and ease into things like kale. (Still cooked!)

  8. Anna January 2, 2014 at 3:36 pm - Reply

    lately, my stomach (belly button) has begin to hurt. i have no idea why, and my “poop” is yellow. being vegetarian .. is it normal to have yellow poop?

  9. pj287 June 18, 2012 at 6:47 pm - Reply

    So, if my shit looks like porridge, that is bad?

  10. Charleen September 10, 2011 at 7:52 pm - Reply

    I have to say it again, “smooth vegan snakes”

  11. joshgutier September 10, 2011 at 12:08 pm - Reply

    Omg! That’s is the most informative and funniest vegan “shit” ! Smooth vegan snakes ….

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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