Question

Why is my poop green

Answer 1

Short version: usually nothing to panic about. Stool is normally brown because bile pigments get chemically changed as they move through your gut. If food moves through too fast (diarrhea) or you’ve eaten lots of green-colored foods or dyes, the bile doesn’t have time to break down and the stool can look green.

Common causes
- Diet: lots of leafy greens (spinach, kale), green juices, spirulina, matcha, or foods/ candies/drinks with green food coloring.
- Rapid transit/diarrhea: when stool passes quickly the bile stays green.
- Supplements & meds: iron supplements can darken or green stool; some antibiotics change gut bacteria and stool color.
- Infections: some bacterial or viral GI infections (and parasites) can cause green, watery stools.
- Infants: breastfed babies often have green stools from a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance or changes in mom’s diet; formula changes can also do it.

When to worry / see a doctor
- Green stool lasts more than a few days without an obvious dietary cause
- Severe abdominal pain, high fever, blood in the stool, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or significant weight loss
- Recent travel, or you suspect a foodborne illness or a serious infection
- It’s an infant or young child who is ill, not feeding well, or dehydrated

What to do now
- Think about recent food, drinks, or meds/supplements you’ve taken.
- If you have diarrhea, drink fluids and electrolytes.
- If mild and you feel fine, watch for a day or two — it will often resolve on its own.
- If you’re concerned or symptoms are severe/persistent, contact your healthcare provider (they may want stool testing or to change meds).

If you want, tell me what you ate recently, whether you have diarrhea/fever/pain, or if you’re on any medications — I can help narrow it down.