Constipation struggles

icemom011
icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, it seems that this problem is persistent and won't go away. I eat plenty of vegetables during the day, not to mention my morning smoothie starts with mostly leafy greens. So why am not having constipation issues? Haven't had a problem before, and I'm eating pretty much similar, just less and even more veggies than before. So what's happening? I don't want to take any supplements for stool, any one is dealing with this? How? Open to suggestions. Thanks!
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Replies

  • Gouldy_locks
    Gouldy_locks Posts: 10 Member
    Black coffee gets things moving for me!!
  • StacyChrz
    StacyChrz Posts: 865 Member
    I like to start my day with 16 oz of very hot water, as hot as I can stand it. It hydrates after the overnight and somehow just gets things moving. I have used this trick for years to combat constipation related to hypothyroidism.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited April 2016
    There are 2 types of fiber; soluble and insoluble. http://www.webmd.com/diet/insoluble-soluble-fiber

    Are you getting enough water? Hydration helps things.

    Are you eating a low fat diet? A very low fat diet will stop things up for me.

    Activity - make sure you get some daily movement. Riding in a car on long trips is terrible for me.
  • kuftae
    kuftae Posts: 299 Member
    Black coffee and cigarettes/ chewing tobacco- though I've heard tobacco is bad for you.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Are you taking any medications that could cause constipation? Fiber bars and fiber one cereal helped me a lot when I was pregnant and had that issue. I also took Colace but you said you didn't want to take stool softeners. Also, are you drinking enough water?
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    I drink a lot of water during the day, tea and sometimes milk at night. Activity vise, I'm on my feet all day long, not really cardio, but moving around. Lower fat now, maybe. Comparatively.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    Also, i start my day with espresso, not black though, some half and half. I can try the hot water trick, thanks for the suggestion. I eat so much veggies, i can't believe that's not enough.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    kuftae wrote: »
    Black coffee and cigarettes/ chewing tobacco- though I've heard tobacco is bad for you.

    I don't smoke or chew. And it's true, it's bad for you. So pass on rhat, but thank you.
  • Nachise
    Nachise Posts: 395 Member
    Try adding probiotics as a supplement, or in foods such as yogurt with live cultures.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,147 Member
    Find your balance of fats, fibre, and fluids to get things moving. I can't recommend one thing - except for MoM and that's in an extreme case - that will fix your problem.
  • dasher602014
    dasher602014 Posts: 1,992 Member
    I know you said no supplements, but magnesium helps me. Also helps me sleep at night.
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    icemom011 wrote: »
    Hi, it seems that this problem is persistent and won't go away. I eat plenty of vegetables during the day, not to mention my morning smoothie starts with mostly leafy greens. So why am not having constipation issues? Haven't had a problem before, and I'm eating pretty much similar, just less and even more veggies than before. So what's happening? I don't want to take any supplements for stool, any one is dealing with this? How? Open to suggestions. Thanks!

    Story of my life. Coffee usually helps, but my diet is so high in protein that even then it can be 4-6 days. Struggle!
  • absentmindedhousewife
    absentmindedhousewife Posts: 68 Member
    You probably need a little more fat in your diet. Every engine needs a little oil in the pan.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Increase fats and oils
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    I'm not completely fat free, we cook on coconut or olive oil, plus peanut butter or almonds are my daily addition. I have been eating less yogurt and less dairy altogether, so maybe include that a bit more?
  • natalie3505
    natalie3505 Posts: 169 Member
    I'm so glad someone else asked this question! I've cut down on my coffee because I like milk in it and would rather have the calories for food and have had a problem with this as well. I guess it is the lower fat intake for me too.
  • junodog1
    junodog1 Posts: 4,792 Member
    Water, water, water (or other fluids) Constipation can be related to not enough hydration.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    junodog1 wrote: »
    Water, water, water (or other fluids) Constipation can be related to not enough hydration.

    I drink 6 bottles of water at least during the day, plus tea and more water in the evening when i get home. I'm really hydrating well.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    I think it has to do with lesser volume, personally. Maybe our intestines need time to adjust.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    What solved my issue was by eating wheat bran every day. I put 10 grams into some oatmeal or cottage cheese and then maybe 5 grams on a salad later. Got to make sure you drink enough water though, but that seems to have solved my problem.
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    Are you actually constipated, or has your change in diet resulted in a change of BM frequency? IF you're eating less, you'll poo less, possibly less often as well. Every body is different. I go once a day, usually in the morning. I know folks who go 3 times a day, like clockwork. Others who go ever other day. All of those examples are regular and normal.
  • frankie_xox
    frankie_xox Posts: 46 Member
    Try adding some milled/ground flaxseed to your morning smoothie.
  • GYATagain
    GYATagain Posts: 141 Member
    Ah, I feel your pain. I have followed every suggestion out there and even have resorted to meds when it just goes (or not goes in my case) for too long. I even had one doctor tell me that some folks react poorly to too much fiber from salads and veggies and such - I had never heard that. I also react poorly to flax, chia and any of those other things that is supposed to get things moving. I drink black coffee everyday, I walk/run everyday - well 6 days a week. I drink 72 - 90 ounces of water every day. I do eat legumes/beans a Lot and all that results in is bloating and much gas -- not fun for anyone! Going to try the hot water first thing in the morning -- keeping fingers crossed!
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    Too much insoluble fibre (roughage), less volume, and things get difficult for me! Keep the fats up and eat more insoluble fibre.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Noel_57 wrote: »
    In my experience, drinking water until you explode is not going to help constipation, as most water passes through the other route. Solution: Eat a serving of legumes every day. Beans. They have the perfect ratio of soluble and insoluble fiber and absorb some of the water you take in. Eat beans and your constipation troubles will go down the drain. In a matter of speaking. Hope you get better soon.

    Oatmeal has a nice combination of soluble & insoluble too.
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    icemom011 wrote: »
    I think it has to do with lesser volume, personally. Maybe our intestines need time to adjust.

    I'd agree with this. I've been eating tons of salads and broccoli and going less often, but it's not uncomfortable so it's just a matter of adjusting to my new normal.
  • Annr
    Annr Posts: 2,765 Member
    There is a balance you will find with eating veggies. I eat my bulk of veggies for lunchtime, use olive oil and drink lemonade water, and coffee to help keep things going. Try not to eat combination proteins, beans and veggies. What I mean is (for me) if I eat quinoa I do not eat a protein with it like chicken or edamame, I just add a veggie with it. I try to eat more simply and not pile up the food combinations. My bigger meal is lunch and my small meal is dinner.
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    Prunes!

    Increase fat intake if it is low.

    Search around and see which fruits/veggies are highest in fiber and focus on those.

  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    capnrus789 wrote: »
    Are you actually constipated, or has your change in diet resulted in a change of BM frequency? IF you're eating less, you'll poo less, possibly less often as well. Every body is different. I go once a day, usually in the morning. I know folks who go 3 times a day, like clockwork. Others who go ever other day. All of those examples are regular and normal.

    True, but going from clockwork to rhe way it is now is a huge difference.
    Thank you, everyone. I will try different things, now that I've got so many ideas, it also refreshed some things i knew and forgot, since i haven't had this issue for a long time. Also, i was glad to realize I'm not alone in it. Appreciate all and every advice.
  • icemom011
    icemom011 Posts: 999 Member
    Also, i do put a beet into my morning smoothie, maybe i should increase the amount. Just a thought.

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