Foods to Try "This is very important because this type of fiber can absorb some of the liquid of loose stools, bulking them up," she says. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, lentils and some fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and apples, says Christensen.
Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium. Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools.
Eat high-fiber foods such as whole-wheat grains, fresh vegetables, and beans. Use products containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, to add bulk to the stools.
Eat small frequent meals slowly during the day. Try sources of soluble fibre to help firm up stool. Limit fried or fatty foods since these can worsen diarrhea.
“Loose stools” can be natural for some people or signal diarrhea for others. Common causes include from foods – especially if something was spoiled or tainted. GI viruses, chronic conditions, food allergies and medication side-effects can also cause them.
Metamucil contains a bulk-forming fibre without any chemical stimulants. The active ingredient, psyllium husk, is a soluble viscous fibre that absorbs and holds moisture. This causes the psyllium to swell, supplying the necessary bulk to help form an easily eliminated stool.
It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.
However, it generally takes around 24 hours from increasing your dietary fiber intake to have a successful bowel movement. But keep in mind that it may take more or less time for some people.
The B.R.A.T. diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is frequently prescribed for persons suffering from digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome because they are low-fiber, binding foods that aid in stool firmness.
Chronic and frequent diarrhea is an everyday experience for some people, but under normal circumstances, it shouldn't be. Your colon, where poop is formed, is reacting to something abnormal. Some people have chronic bowel diseases that cause chronic diarrhea.
Foods to Try
"This is very important because this type of fiber can absorb some of the liquid of loose stools, bulking them up," she says. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, lentils and some fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and apples, says Christensen.
Your stool gets hard and dry when your colon (large intestine) absorbs (soaks up) too much water. In most cases, as food moves through your colon, the colon absorbs water while it makes stool. Muscle movements (contractions) push the stool toward your rectum.
Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. It adds bulk to the stool and appears to help food pass more quickly through the stomach and intestines.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits in the past two weeks or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give Metamucil to children younger than six years unless on a doctor's advice. Keep your Metamucil in a cool, dry, place, away from moisture and heat.
Psyllium (Metamucil, Fybogel, generics) – One teaspoonful of psyllium twice daily is often recommended for constipation, so why use it for diarrhea? The answer is that it has a water-holding effect in the intestines that may help bulk up watery stool. Some doctors recommend it for the variable bowel habit of IBS.
Taking fiber supplements every day seems to be safe. Popular fiber supplements include inulin, psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) and methylcellulose (Citrucel). Fiber is good for the body. It helps the bowel work well and prevents constipation.
A: Any time of day is appropriate to take Metamucil fiber as long as an adequate intake of fluids (at least 8 ounces of water or liquid per serving) is consumed. We recommend taking Metamucil between one and three times per day at mealtimes as a convenient way to get the benefits of Metamucil.
The typical adult Metamucil dosage for constipation is 3.4 grams (1 packet or 1 tablespoon), mixed with 8 ounces of liquid, up to 3 times a day. It's best to start with one dose per day and then increase as needed.
Psyllium is unlike some laxatives in that it doesn't cause contractions of the intestines (like stimulant laxatives) or draw water from the intestine to soften stools (like osmotic laxatives). Instead, it increases the weight and bulk of stools which, in turn, stimulates bowel movements.
You should seek medical attention if you have loose or watery stools that last more than three or four weeks. You may need to be seen sooner than this if you have any of these "alarm symptoms": bloody diarrhea, fever, dehydration, weight loss or abdominal pain that interferes with your activities or prevents eating.
The key to bulking up your stool (and preventing endless wiping) is fiber. If you want to prevent the never-ending wipe, you need more fiber in your diet.
Psyllium fiber—most commonly found in supplements like Metamucil—may be the best fiber for reducing chronic constipation.