Avocados Avocados aren't just trendy on toast and guacamole. They're chock full of nutrients and can help with constipation. One cup (146 grams) of sliced avocado contains 10 grams of fiber ( 45 ). This source of both soluble and insoluble fiber can help relieve constipation.
Avocados are high in fiber and magnesium to help pull water back into your intestines to keep poop soft and easy to pass. Try topping whole grain toast with fresh avocado for a creamy constipation cure.
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and mandarins are high in fiber and contain several compounds that can reduce constipation, including pectin and naringenin.
Try yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that's good for your digestive system. It may help relieve constipation.
Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation. Not enough fluids. Water and other fluids help fiber work better, so not drinking enough liquids can contribute to harder stools that are more difficult to pass.
Insoluble fiber is the most beneficial for softening stools. It does not dissolve in water and helps food pass more quickly from the stomach to the intestines. Wholewheat flour, nuts, beans, and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes all contain insoluble fiber.
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
Avocados – Not only do they taste great, avocados are rich in both soluble and insoluble fibers, which promote regular, healthy bowel movements to enhance colon health.
Excess intake of avocados may also cause constipation due to its high fiber content. On the other hand, the fruit is high in water too. Consuming the fruit in excess may make it difficult for your body to absorb all the water properly, potentially leading to diarrhea.
“The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one we recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.
Foods that help ease constipation
Consider adding some the following fibre-rich foods to your diet to help ease constipation: High fibre cereals such as: bran flakes, Weetabix, porridge, muesli and shredded wheat.
“Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that allows more water to remain in the stool,” says Smith. “This makes the stool softer and larger, and ultimately easier to pass.”
Magnesium citrate is one of the most popular types of magnesium supplements and easily absorbed by your body. It's mainly used to raise magnesium levels and treat constipation.
One tablespoon of olive oil, taken on an empty stomach in the morning, may relieve constipation for many healthy adults. People should not take more than one tablespoonful, however, as this can lead to diarrhea and cramps.
Metamucil is a bulk-forming laxative that's readily available OTC. It's mainly used to help relieve constipation.
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate intake of fiber. You should call your doctor if you have severe pain, blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.
Try natural laxatives that work fast for constipation relief, which include: aloe vera, leafy greens, chia and flax seeds, high fiber fruits, probiotic foods, and coconut water. Also make sure to drink plenty of water/fluids when consuming natural laxatives, since these work with high fiber foods to help soften stool.
Beans also contain good amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which help ease constipation in different ways. Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like consistency, softening stool and making it easier to pass ( 21 ).
Cocoa, and therefore dark chocolate, contains fibre, which has a positive effect on intestinal transit. Fibre contributes to correct bowel function and helps both prevent and reduce constipation. To sum up, does chocolate cause constipation? No, if consumed in reasonable quantities.
Packed with fibre but low in calories, broccoli is one of the best foods for fighting constipation. It also contains sulforaphane, a substance that can help protect your gut from common digestive problems. It may also help prevent bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine that can disrupt normal digestion.