Bowel movement frequency

When I eat healthier, I go once a day. If Im eating badly I tend to get constipated.

Oh Lord, this is a big problem for me. If I am really regular, I go once every three days!!!! The last couple of months it has sometimes been up to 5 days!!!! It doesn't cause me too much problem but I would love to go every day. I am having a bowel investigation done as I feel it just can't be right to go once or twice a week! Anyone else like me?:ohwell:

I started incorporating more vegetables and switched to whole grains about 5 years ago (became vegetarian), and I started going about twice a day. The food diary shows that my regular fiber intake is sometimes double the recommended intake. When I first started reducing my calories, I went less often, but now I seem back to once a day. I've been looking for a "poop tracker" app, ha, because I think that info could be useful. I'm not sure what it means, though, to go only once or twice per week.

That is not normal frequency. Add more fiber into your diet. Drink lots of water. If that doesn't help after a week, you should probably see a doctor.

As a nursing student, we learn that it's important to make sure that you are eating at least 21 grams of fiber each day and drinking around 50 ounces of water. These will help soften the stool and make you "more productive." Eating fruits and veggies is a good way to do both, since you are getting the fluids from the foods as well as the bulk.

Protein is constipating. Try cutting back a bit and drinking at least 50 ounces of water daily. Feel better!

Bowel movements can be affected by a lot of things, diet being only one, but an important one. Make sure you are getting enough fiber and that you are getting plenty of fluids. If you aren't already taking one, you might consider a probiotic supplement. If you are still concerned, speak to your doctor.

now then, im gonna go out on a limb here.

my endocrinologist has told me EVERYONE is different.

i go sometimes 1 day a week, but on that day, i go maybe 3-4 times.

i drink ALOT, eat plenty of veg and fruit, and exercise regularly.

i dont feel bloated or constipated, this is MY normal.

if it gets runny, or bloody, thats when you see a doctor.

Your body needs a lot of water to support peristalsis (the movement of waste through the bowel). If you are eating a high protein / high fiber diet and exercising regularly then you need to make sure you are getting at least 3L of water per day. Protein helps regulate the water metabolism in the body so as you increase protein and fiber increase your water intake as well. You could be on the border of dehydration and this can cause sluggish bowel movements or constipation.

The actual frequency of BM's should be combined with the consistency as well. Consistency: Are they dry & hard?
Difficult to move? Feeling bloated, gassy? etc… These factors can help you dial in your diet and fluid intake as well and
get you back on track.

Check with a L.Ac. or a DOM. and they can give you more info on the eastern philosophy of diet and exercise.

So glad we can talk about this. I go sometimes every two or three days! Help!

I use the food notes to track mine. Works ok.

Eating healthier should reduce constipation and help regulate bowl movements. But, as we know, everyone has a different definition of “healthier” especially since we are all coming from different starting places.
Try adding, more water, fiber, flaxseed and vegetables. Look up daily recommendations and use your food diary to help track fiber and water intake. Foods that are high in fat or sugar can be culprits. So avoid those or processed foods.

I have IBS D so when not doing healthy eating I was going 5-10 a day :sad:
Now its once occassionally twice its so much bettr I need to stick at this for health reasons all round

I always have 1 every morning when I first wake up. Sometimes I will go 1 or two more times before bed.

I was told by a doctor that teh best is to go several times each day. Each of us are different.
A person needs to talk to a doctor if any major changes occur in your 'regular' bm routine.
Changes will come from diet, fluid intake, amount of exercize and also bowel problems.
If you feel that you are having issues go see your doc..