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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Best Foods to Eat When Constipated Use this quick pick list of high-fiber foods, and then explore more in-depth about why these foods will help your constipation.
Fruit: Berries, peaches, apricots, plums, raisins, rhubarb, and prunes are some of the best high-fiber fruits. For a fiber boost, eat the peel as well. Whole Grains : Steer away from white flour and white rice and enjoy whole grains instead, which provide more fiber. Whole grains include oats, brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, barley, and rye.
Vegetables : Whether you're eating the leaves, stalks, or roots, you'll get fiber from vegetables, including what is in potato skins. Nuts : Walnuts and almonds will also add fiber to your diet.
Seeds : Several kinds of seeds are excellent sources of fiber. You can add them to your smoothies or sprinkle them on yogurt or salads. Chia, ground flaxseeds, and psyllium are some of the most touted.
Beans and Legumes with caution : Legumes such as chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, navy beans, and kidney beans are good sources of fiber. However, they have a well-earned reputation for being gassy.
Why Fiber Helps When You Have Constipation The best thing you can do to ease constipation is to slowly increase your intake of dietary fiber. Fiber is helpful for constipation because it serves to both add bulk and softness to the stool. Best Fruits for Constipation Fruits are a great option for easing constipation.
Best Vegetables for Constipation Eating lots of vegetables, including green leafy vegetables, is one of the best strategies for keeping your bowels moving regularly. Whole Grains and Constipation Switching from refined grains such as white flour and white rice to whole grains is thought by many to make a difference in terms of resolving constipation issues. Amaranth Barley Brown rice Bulgur Oats Quinoa Rye Whole Wheat Note: If you suffer from chronic constipation, you may want to try an elimination diet of all grains to assess any effect on your symptoms.
Best Teas for Constipation One way to ease constipation is to reach for a soothing cup of tea. The two best teas for constipation are: Anise tea: This licorice-tasting tea is thought to have both laxative and antispasmodic effects. Fennel tea: Also licorice-tasting, fennel tea is thought to speed up intestinal contractions, as well as act as a laxative and an antispasmodic.
Best Nuts for Constipation Nuts are a good source of fiber and omega fatty acids. Best Seeds for Constipation There are a few different types of seeds that are thought to be particularly helpful in easing constipation. Sprinkle them on salads or add them to smoothies. Fennel seeds: Chewing on fennel seeds is thought to help to ease gas and bloating, along with easing constipation.
Flaxseed : These pleasant little nutty-flavored seeds need to be ground to benefit from their fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Can be used in baking or added to smoothies. Psyllium : There is a lot of research support for the use of psyllium as a way to ease constipation which earns it its designation as a bulk laxative. Best Snacks for Constipation Fruit: Apples and pears are quite portable. Drink Plenty of Water Every cell in your body needs water to function to its best ability.
A Word From Verywell When you have constipation, remember that foods that come from plants are your best choices to help get things moving.
How Constipation Is Treated. Frequently Asked Questions What causes constipation? There are many reasons for this, some of the most common of which include: Eating foods low in fiber Not drinking enough fluids Lack of exercise Older age Pregnancy Diabetes Stress Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement Changes in routine, such as travel or irregular sleep habits Digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS Certain medications, such as opioids.
What foods help relieve constipation? What foods should you avoid if constipated? What other ways can you treat constipation? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Constipation is common. Most cases of acute constipation happen because you are not eating enough of the right foods or in the right quantities , drinking enough water or getting enough exercise. So the fixes are simple: Move more, drink more water and add fiber to your diet or take it as a supplement to add bulk to your stool.
Some people have success taking probiotics , too, which can change the composition of the bacteria in the gut. Try waking up earlier to eat breakfast and then move your bowels. Food can stimulate the need to go, and you probably feel most relaxed in your home bathroom. Zutshi advises. Delaying a bowel movement can actually make constipation worse. Have you changed your diet recently? But when in doubt, always talk to your doc first. If you're taking over-the-counter painkillers on the daily and the struggle of going to the bathroom is oh-so real, then you might want to take a second look at what's in your medicine cabinet.
This one's an easy fix: Discontinuing meds like Motrin and Aleve and making the switch to acetaminophen should help unclog your pipes. But again, always consult with your doctor before making any big decisions—especially if you're on a strict course of medication prescribed by your doctor for a preexisting condition. Pharmacy shelves are packed to the gills with different types of laxatives.
At first glance, they might seem like the magic wand you need to make your poop -less bathroom visits disappear. But not all of these meds are created equal, and depending on them too much for relief can do more harm than good. This is just one of a host of side effects associated with prolonged laxative use, which include electrolyte imbalances, seizures, heart arrhythmias, muscle aches, and more.
To be on the safe side, follow the dosing instructions on the box, and don't use any type of laxative for more than a week or two without telling your doctor first. They might recommend that you take a different type of laxative like an osmotic laxative, such as Miralax or fiber-bulking agents like Metamucil or Citrucel instead.
According to James-Stevenson, these are "considered safe for short- and long-term treatment of constipation symptoms. Here are the best probiotics for your health.
If altering your diet or activity isn't solving your poop problems at the end of the day, don't wave it off: "A change in your bowel habits can sometimes be a sign of something more ominous occurring with your health, such as colorectal cancer," says Chen. Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories.
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