Not enough fiber. You may become constipated if you don't eat enough high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation.
Avoid foods that may lead to constipation.
Some common ones are bananas, cheese, and eggs.
Eggs. Some people believe that eggs can cause constipation. However, there is not much scientific evidence that supports this. They are a low fiber food, though, so eating a lot of them may contribute to constipation.
According to Dr. Lee, “For someone dealing with predominant diarrhea (the fast transit type where they have loose frequent bowel movements), eggs can be a friend and help bind up the bowel movements.” Fermentable carbohydrates are a type of FODMAP, a group of carbohydrates that can worsen IBS.
For many people, eating more high fiber foods can help ease constipation. These foods include: most vegetables, including carrots, peas, broccoli, and okra. fruits, including apples, pears, berries, avocados, and oranges.
Try yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that's good for your digestive system. It may help relieve constipation.
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.
“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.
“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.”
Once Metamucil enters the body, it forms a gel-like substance in the stomach. It then travels to your intestines and acts as a source of soluble fiber. This helps your stool to absorb and retain more water. This makes your stool larger and softer, making it easier to go.
Metamucil is made with psyllium husk, a plant-based fiber that helps promote digestive health and regularity. * It also acts as a non-stimulant laxative that relieves occasional constipation, generally helping you produce a bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours.
Over-the-counter stool softeners are effective for some people. However, in controlled clinical trials, there is no evidence that they improve symptoms. While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.
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.
Dairy products that may reduce constipation
Raw milk is considered by many natural health practitioners to be more easily digested than the more widely available pasteurised varieties, and may be helpful in relieving constipation and other digestive problems.
Other foods you can eat are: Fish, chicken, turkey, or other lean meats. These do not have fiber, but they will not make constipation worse. Snacks such as raisin cookies, fig bars, and popcorn.
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.
While chocolate is constipating to some people, cocoa or components of it might actually help with constipation in other people.
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.