Eating enough fiber, drinking water- still constipated!

2

Replies

  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    I agree with the MD appt. idea. It is better for it to be NOTHING and be checked out than to be SOMETHING and not be checked out. That being said, it is probably something in your diet but the MD should be able to guide you in that. Physical exams are great tools to overall health. You may want to take about a week full of food logs with you so he/she can evaluate what you are doing and give you a better idea of where to start.

    In a related note, one day several years ago, I was in a Walmart... I felt a little funny so I took my blood pressure and it was elevated. Remembering a few months earlier I had conjunctivitis and my bp was elevated, I took note that this might be something more than just "white coat anxiety" from the Dr. visit. So I kept a log for several days and took it on my doctor visit... He was most appreciative of that and said that it helps so much when you come in with data on a cross section like that... He checks it once in the office... that is all he knows... If you come in with some data over a period of time, it give him better data to help you by.
  • Bjornulf
    Bjornulf Posts: 29
    The most common causes for constipation are too high starch intake, not enough hydration and too low dietary fat intake. Despite the myth, fiber usually does not play into constipation. When adjusting to a "healthy" diet, many people opt for low or no fat. This can cause a whole host of problems, not just constipation.

    Being an impatient sort of person myself, I would advise a broad spectrum approach.
    1. Cut back on/drop starchy carbs. Regular, non starchy carbs are fine.
    2. Up your fat intake, while maintaining your caloric intake goals.
    3. Make sure to drink a gallon of water each day. More if you take supplements that harden stools like iron, magnesium and calcium.
    4. Make, and keep, a Dr's appointment.

    Keep i mind that these are only suggestions; I am NOT a medical professional. I do not know exactly why you have this problem, I am just hitting the main causes. Your doctor should be able to give you more information, based on actual test results and scientific type stuff like that; rather then anonymous opinions that you get here.
  • AlphamaleBAMF
    AlphamaleBAMF Posts: 373 Member
    I don't have any problems on my diet. I get plenty of vitamins and fibre and i drink lots of water.

    Might I suggest you try cardio exercise? I know it sounds weird but I find it usually helps things work through the system.

    I went from passing stools maybe every 2-4 days to once or twice a day now and going is much easier than it used to be.
  • hazelovesfood
    hazelovesfood Posts: 454 Member
    It could be ibs, I have it and it flares with some of the weiredest of things. anway sometimes It does feel oily as you say, and I get backed up also. I may still go but then at some point it will be alot and strangely I feel hungry when this happens. Ive found now that i eat more protein im getting backed up more even though i have veg in some form everyday and eat wheat cereals every day too. I think in general its probably because what you are before made you go so much more than now, or thats what seems to be with me. I used to eat a lot fo chocolate and went everyday.
  • Soopermomma
    Soopermomma Posts: 11 Member
    If you have taken any rounds of anti-biotics lately they may have killed off healthy bacterium that you need. Acidophillus may help. Definately worth talking to the doctor about.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    a few of you have said bananas help. if it helps you thats great but there it a diet to AVOID while contipated and it is Bananas Rice Applesauce Toast. i have had the same problem and it also started right after my positive diet change. more fluids, mostly all water, acidophilous daily, been drinking prune juice, taken a digestive cleanse, taken laxitives and nada for like 5 days! bad cramping, even vomiting. and i NEVER VOMIT! this sucks...

    I was told a few years ago that bananas, applesauce, and even apple JUICE can be binding. We got a lot more regular at my house when I stopped buying apple juice and switched to white grape and pear juice. In addition, ripe pears always seem to help my 6 year old go....
  • mycorrado
    mycorrado Posts: 1
    Interesting question.. same here, I supplement with Fiber daily, bannana, probiotics and plenty of water and no help. wondering if it's too much fiber so I'll half my dose and see what happens. Tea only once a day at eve.
  • temilade_o
    temilade_o Posts: 3
    I've tried everything...coffee, bananas, laxatives, name it. Nothing seems to work, it's never been this hard. I'm consciously to have a lot of fibre. It used to be easier to go before I started eating clean. Help?
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Haven't read through the rest of the thread (which is like two years old! :tongue: ) - but for the most recent poster - how's your fat intake? Often people start "eating healthy" and try to cut all the fat from their diet. Even with plenty of fiber, they have this problem because they aren't eating enough healthy fat. Avocados, olive and coconut oils, nuts, salmon - good sources of healthy fats that might help. And there's always butter - that helps too!

    Good luck!
  • ruthejp13
    ruthejp13 Posts: 213 Member
    Is what you "watched what I was eating" mean an increase in whole wheat and other gluten containing foods?

    My husband was having trouble and thought he might be gluten intolerant. I don't eat bread but I started reading the labels for his bread. Whole wheat isn't as soft and sticky as white bread so they add gluten (the protein in wheat). We have found that gluten as a normal part of wheat or other grains isn't a problem, the problem is gluten being added to foods.

    Back in my college days I found the same type problem with dairy. I was mildly lactose intolerant. I found that I could eat dairy as long as the ingredients didn't include added lactose. In order for the company to claim "real dairy whip cream" they add lactose to the chemically processed food.

    I haven't read all the comments but the ones I did I agree with.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    fats, strawberries are your friends.

    Some claim chia seeds help too but I have never tried.

    I usually got to go more times after a long run...
  • temilade_o
    temilade_o Posts: 3
    I'll try adding a little more fat, I do t understand how it helps though. Thanks
  • cherchenette9555
    cherchenette9555 Posts: 3
    I am having the same problem right now! I love raw cabbage salads, and I think that started the back up. So, no cabbage for a week, added kefir four servings a day, and still having the problem. No bread, rice, banana's, wheat, corn, potatoes, just fruit, veggies, kefir, or yogurt, and chicken or a bit of beef!! Taking a stool softener, not much relief, either!! If this does't change by Monday, a Dr's appointment is my next "move. Pun intended!"
  • temilade_o
    temilade_o Posts: 3
    Is there any way to change your diet without constipation?
  • TutuMom41
    TutuMom41 Posts: 278 Member
    You can add mirilax if you are backed up. I take fiber pills and probiotics but I still need the occasional mirilax.
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Greasy stools are not normal and you should really be talking to your doctor about this.
  • lisakatz2
    lisakatz2 Posts: 538 Member
    I take medication that causes constipation, so I am familiar with the issue. I use Magnesium Citrate powder which I buy on Amazon. It's flavored (sugar free) tastes good and you can adjust the dose to suit your needs (unlike magnesium tablets/capsules). The brand I use is called MagicMag. I recommend it highly.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    lisakatz2 wrote: »
    I take medication that causes constipation, so I am familiar with the issue. I use Magnesium Citrate powder which I buy on Amazon. It's flavored (sugar free) tastes good and you can adjust the dose to suit your needs (unlike magnesium tablets/capsules). The brand I use is called MagicMag. I recommend it highly.

    @lisakatz2 you have replied to a thread that has been inactive for 10 years. If any of these people are still on the forums, hopefully they have long since gotten help.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    lisakatz2 wrote: »
    I take medication that causes constipation, so I am familiar with the issue. I use Magnesium Citrate powder which I buy on Amazon. It's flavored (sugar free) tastes good and you can adjust the dose to suit your needs (unlike magnesium tablets/capsules). The brand I use is called MagicMag. I recommend it highly.

    @lisakatz2 you have replied to a thread that has been inactive for 10 years. If any of these people are still on the forums, hopefully they have long since gotten help.

    @lynn_glenmont, I think there was a spam post in there that re-awakened the thread (i.e., I think I saw and flagged it, but my memory isn't fabuloso). If I'm recalling correctly, I don't think it was @lisakatz2 who woke the zombie, and it can be pretty easy to reply to a thread without noticing its age.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    @AnnPT77 No doubt you're right. The spam must have been removed by the time I got here, because at that point Lisa's was the first post in 10 years on this thread. I don't understand the harm in letting someone who somehow stumbled into a long-dormant thread know that they're talking to ghosts or zombies, but you're on here a lot more than I am, so I guess you know the rules better than I do.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 No doubt you're right. The spam must have been removed by the time I got here, because at that point Lisa's was the first post in 10 years on this thread. I don't understand the harm in letting someone who somehow stumbled into a long-dormant thread know that they're talking to ghosts or zombies, but you're on here a lot more than I am, so I guess you know the rules better than I do.

    I don't think it's a problem letting her know, either. Having seen the spam myself, I just didn't want Lisa to feel bad about commenting on the thread. I'm probably being weird that way. It's easy to do, and a whole different deal from doing a search and intentionally reviving a super-old thread. :flowerforyou:
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    @lisakatz2
    I'm very sorry if I made you feel weird. Last month, I (and @Annpt77 coincidentally) stumbled into a revived zombie thread, which I didn't notice at the time (just came across it again this evening, so I guess somebody new has been fooled by it), and I wish somebody between the original reviver and me had posted something so I wouldn't have wasted three or four minutes composing a response to somebody who was unlikely to come back and thus unlikely to benefit from my response. I know not everybody feels the same way about everything, but sometimes the best measuring stick you have is yourself, and I was just trying to save you and others from wasting time on a zombie thread.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10905396/can-i-share-my-recipes-with-other-people-on-my-fitness-pal#latest
  • lisakatz2
    lisakatz2 Posts: 538 Member
    No lynn, you didn't make me feel weird. My advice may help someone out there who is experiencing this problem, if not the OP. Magnesium Citrate powder works like a charm.
  • kngddmbppx
    kngddmbppx Posts: 20 Member
    I drink 6oz of prune juice at night or after I’m done eating for the day. Also too much fiber does the opposite for me and I can’t go or I just get bloated. I take a magnesium supplement every day and that has worked for me. It has to be regular prune juice not light bc it’s the sugars in the prune juice that make the fiber in the juice work. Trust me, I’ve tried the light kind! Good luck!! Oh yes and pls go to the doctor.
  • Danawilsonnj
    Danawilsonnj Posts: 1 Member
    edited June 12
    Double your water intake. If you don’t like fresh fruit, try a fruit smoothie and applesauce instead. Prune juice when you first get home for the evening. Green vegetables daily. Probiotic pills and/ or yogurt which has probiotics in it. Have your blood levels checked. Diabetes and other problems can mess with your digestive system. Work with an allergist to see if you have any food allergies. Get a colonoscopy done too.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,994 Member
    elisa123gal wrote: »
    If old threads are so bad why doesn't MFP delete them after a set period of time. No need to call out people who want to add to a thread even though it is old. I read many old threads for advice and appreciate when anyone adds content.

    It’s ok to respond to old threads.
    The only thing to keep in mind is that the original person who asked the question likely isn’t going to respond.

    Occasionally they do. Very occasionally.
  • kngddmbppx
    kngddmbppx Posts: 20 Member
    Haha yeah I just noticed it’s old but not anymore bc we awesome!! ✌🏻💪🏼😉
  • earlybirdlady
    earlybirdlady Posts: 121 Member
    I feel for you! I’ve had this issue on-and-off my whole adult life - diet or not. Here are a few things I learned that might be helpful…
    - Stress is a huge factor in bowel and digestive activity. Any recent stressors?
    - Definitely get checked on the oily stools.
    - Keep in mind most doctors are trained to identify and treat certain medical problems, but if they don’t identify any major issue they probably won’t have great advice for you regarding your diet (I’m sure there are some exceptions out there, I just haven’t found any!). If everything checks out medically, talk with a nutritionist/dietitian.
    - Getting enough fiber is great, but make sure you’re getting lots of different kinds of fiber. I think the recommendation is 30 different types of plants per week. I try to shoot for 10 different plants per day.
    - Probiotics can help, there are different types and nutritionist can usually help you identify one that is appropriate for you.
    - If you try something new, try to stay consistent with it for at least a week before changing it up. If your digestion is slow, like mine, it can take a few days to adjust.
    - Fiber supplements and laxatives can help for temporary relief, but I found for me they didn’t solve the overall problem and just prolong the issue.

    This is based on my own experience so might not all apply, but I hope it’s helpful!
  • Hobartlemagne
    Hobartlemagne Posts: 566 Member
    This cant be an everyday thing, but recently I ate 1lb of brined garlic/jalapeno stuffed olives.
    (I love them and needed to clear space in the fridge)
    Let's just say it had a turbo boost effect that you may find useful.

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