*cough* slow movement on the bathroom front

bprague
bprague Posts: 564 Member
edited September 30 in Food and Nutrition
Alright, so I drink a ton of water throughout the day, way beyond the required amount, and eat probably 10 grams more fiber than needed every day but things aren't moving along, so to speak. My diet is rich in veggies and flax seed (I put flax in everything!).

It seems like this is a pretty common occurrence for people here, and I actually have this problem pretty often even before this (>.<). The common suggestion is to include "good fats" in your diet.

What are these magical bowel moving fats? I won't take laxatives or "stool softeners" because I have IBS and don't want to gain dependence on that sort of thing. Any suggestions for this truly glamorous issue?

Replies

  • SavannaN
    SavannaN Posts: 148
    Im not sure of any, but Ive noticed the same with me too from time to time. I find that is I cant get it to work with the suggestions you have mentioned, I will eat a fast food burger (usually whataburger) and that will get me going. It gives a bit of a stomach ache too but, sometimes going to the bathroom is worth it.
  • SarahWrittenThin
    SarahWrittenThin Posts: 595 Member
    try prunes? nuts are a good fat, fish too. I recommend prunes and apples though.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    slowly kick it up to 40 grams a day on the fiber, that's what's recommended for women:drinker:

    I may be one of the lucky ones but have never had an issue, but I do keep up my fiber, plenty of water, workouts & good healthy foods (quite a mixed variety of fruits/veggies). That might have a lot too do with it, or it might simply be our bodies all react differently.
  • bella_baby
    bella_baby Posts: 22
    My brother has the same issue. He drinks a lot of apple juice and eats pears. This seems to help him quite a bit, especially the pears. hope that helps!
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    fiber one cereal/bars!
  • wlddove
    wlddove Posts: 85 Member
    I am so glad I'm not the only one dealing with this!! Coffee used to do the trick, but now I drink it too often, so that's not working any more. I've started eating prunes every day, but still not much, uh, movement.
  • schaapj2
    schaapj2 Posts: 320 Member
    I just eat one fatty meal and get it going!
  • koahope
    koahope Posts: 15
    on occasion I have difficulty, have found an herbal tea called 'smooth move' at herbal shops that helps me. I don't use it often and because it's herbal I don't think it's a chance of becoming reliant on it. I don't have to use much at all, but have it on hand for those 'rough'days.
  • harley0269
    harley0269 Posts: 384 Member
    i dont know anything about the magic fats, but when im feeling "slow" i drink cold coffee or i cut back my iron. works for me everytime. & when my kids were little, i would feed them raisins. it would shoot thru them like pellets!
    do you go for walks? an evening constitution (an after dinner walk) will help getting things moving too.
    good luck
  • msmgis
    msmgis Posts: 15
    Cantaloupe usually works for me. Or senna tea. Good luck.
  • fateschild
    fateschild Posts: 114 Member
    I have to go to a specialist for the same reason. It was terrible convincing my regular doctor that water and fiber wouldn't fix the problem. Hoping that they can figure out something for me. Wish you luck.
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member
    Prunes can help. You can also drink some hot chocolate. Soak in a hot hot hot tub.
  • kmtetour
    kmtetour Posts: 300 Member
    My mom recently had this issue when she tried switching from creamer to milk in her coffee. Switching back seemed to help. I personally drink a fiber-rich fruit/veggie smoothie most days and that helps.

    I definitely think fats are the way to go, but I know you'll get varying opinions. I have no specific suggestions, though. I have issues digesting things like nuts, so those wouldn't work for me.
  • Des92
    Des92 Posts: 309 Member
    Try drinking hot water with lots of lemon juice squeezed into it, preferably when you wake up (before breakfast).
  • Stephiede
    Stephiede Posts: 130 Member
    I eat a lot of greens like kale and spinach. That does the trick for me. Those two never fails.
  • bprague
    bprague Posts: 564 Member
    i dont know anything about the magic fats, but when im feeling "slow" i drink cold coffee or i cut back my iron. works for me everytime. & when my kids were little, i would feed them raisins. it would shoot thru them like pellets!
    do you go for walks? an evening constitution (an after dinner walk) will help getting things moving too.
    good luck

    I actually run every day. I get so frustrated when my doctor tells me to exercise more, drink more water, and eat more fiber! I literally just drank four cups of water in the past half hour (I have no reason for it but I felt like it) and I spent 45 minutes on the treadmill today... I suppose I can try to up my fiber to 40g like someone above said. I think to get there I'll have to take cilium husk though, because I cannot see myself fitting another 7 g in my day.
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    I have to take alot of iron and calcium -- both can cause this so I know. I actually take Colace quite often -- but since you said no to that, I would try prunes, prune juice or good ol' coffee .... they all seem to work pretty dang good! None of the benefiber stuff didit for me ---- keep trying and don't ignore it -- that can be very dangerous.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Have you tried taking probiotics? You can buy yogurt with them (Activia) or even get them in pill form (Align). They are supposed to aid with digestive health.
  • StevLL
    StevLL Posts: 921 Member
    I shoot for 40g of fiber daily and about 3/4-1 gal of water and (knock on wood) that issue has moved on! Before we started eating healthier though I would swear by a large seriously strong cup of coffee and a banana first thing in the morning and whoosh things were on the fast track. Avacodos have about 14 grams of fiber and lots of good fats, so that might be your answer to more fiber and fats. Good luck
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