Foods that Constipate...Foods that...Unconstipate.

lukeout007
lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
edited December 18 in Food and Nutrition
So...embarassing issue but I went to the doctor yesterday because I was having bad stabbing pains in my side. They took an X-Ray and it turns out I'm very backed up and its slightly twisting the bowel.

I eat a good amount of fruit, fiber one brownies, and oatmeal. I am usually over my recommended fiber intake so I'm not sure how this happened. So my question is can it be other foods that I'm eating that are having the opposite effect? Aren't there some veggies and fruits that can constipate?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm going to have to balance my diet out better so that I don't end up having to go to the doctor all the time to be told I'm full of sh**.

My diary is open but I haven't been logging super accurately the last 3 days or so.

Replies

  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    Also...does exercise have any benefit as far as digestion goes?
  • sachrisk
    sachrisk Posts: 4 Member
    It's very important to drink a lot of water when eating a high-fiber diet. If you haven't been getting at least 8 cups per day, you might try that!
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    It's very important to drink a lot of water when eating a high-fiber diet. If you haven't been getting at least 8 cups per day, you might try that!

    I've been drinking quite a bit of water. I have a 16 oz cup that I keep with me at work and I refill 3-4 times per day. I have off days now and then with the water but I'd say 5 days per week I'm great about it.
  • BeautyAndTheGeeks
    BeautyAndTheGeeks Posts: 109
    Embarrassing topic indeed, I can't believe I'm about to talk to you about my poop.
    I was dealing with a bit of bowel pain today after not being able to flush the system, but after working out and downing a couple bottles of water, my system was well and truly flushed. You might not feel up to working out with the pains, but it certainly helps!
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    Hmmm...I'll have to get back to exercising. I've been awful about it lately...

    I also seem to be finding conflicting info about bananas...some people say they prevent constipation and other says they can make you constipated. I eat at least 1 every day...
  • BeautyAndTheGeeks
    BeautyAndTheGeeks Posts: 109
    Well if it makes a difference, I never had a problem before and I would eat a banana with my breakfast everyday. I haven't had the chance to go pick up more bananas, so for the past few days I've replaced the banana with an apple. That's the only change I've made, so I'm going back to bananas tomorrow to see if that makes a difference, I don't want to feel like that ever again!
  • loseforlife718
    loseforlife718 Posts: 3 Member
    Any fruit that starts with the letter "P"- peaches, pears, prunes- will help you go.
  • delikium
    delikium Posts: 196 Member
    grapes, brocoli and prunes I was told by my mum
    try some prune-juice
  • delikium
    delikium Posts: 196 Member
    you can also buy herbal tea
  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
    Bananas work for me.

    I don't know what your diary looks like but if you eat a lot of cheese, this could be why.
  • tat2dmrsgrimm
    tat2dmrsgrimm Posts: 226 Member
    When I had my daughter, I lost a lot of blood with my c-section and I had to take iron supplements. The doctor told me to drink prune juice. I don't care for the flavor, so I would mix 2 oz with 2 oz of purple grape juice and drink it every morning until I was off the iron supplements. You would probably be ok to drink it daily for a couple days until you are cleared out and then maybe every other day or every 3rd day.
  • spngebobmyhero
    spngebobmyhero Posts: 823 Member
    I was constipated when I first went gluten free, and I couldn't figure out how to fix this since I was eating soooo many veggies (cruciferous veggies can add to the issue, but others can help, lots of fiber).

    Then I listened to a podcast that said much of the weight of our feces comes from dead good bacteria leaving out system. You may not have enough healthy bacteria in your gut. I suggest whole milk yogurt (with live cultures!), kombucha, or fermented veggies, such as sauerkraut or kimchi.

    Or if you don't like the food route (I tend to avoid supplements and go for the real stuff), then you can take a probiotic. Making this small change helped me tremendously and no more constipation!
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