The 17 Best Foods to Relieve Constipation
- Prunes. Share on Pinterest Moostocker/Getty Images.
- Apples. Share on Pinterest Diana Taliun/Getty Images.
- Pears. Share on Pinterest Ann_Zhuravleva/Getty Images.
- Kiwi. Share on Pinterest Mizina/Getty Images.
- Figs.
- Citrus fruits.
- Spinach and other greens.
- Jerusalem artichoke and chicory.
What food helps with constipation fast?
Fiber
- whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals.
- legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas.
- fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears.
- vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens.
What foods to avoid if you are constipated?
Fried or fast foods
Fast food snacks like chips, cookies, chocolate, and ice cream may also replace more fiber-rich snack options, such as fruits and vegetables in a person’s diet. This can further increase the likelihood of constipation by reducing the total amount of fiber consumed per day ( 13 ).
Is bananas good for constipation?
“Bananas, when fully ripe, contain soluble fiber and thus can help treat constipation,” Lee says. “However, unripe, or green, bananas have high levels of resistant starch, which can be very binding and cause constipation.” Because of this, unripe bananas can be used to treat diarrhea, she notes.
What foods make constipation worse?
Nutrition, activity, and routine
For example: Not enough fiber. You may become constipated if you don’t eat enough high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation.
Should I keep eating if constipated?
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That’s not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
How long is too long to be constipated?
The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week. Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long.
What foods make you Unconstipated?
Can’t Go? These 14 Foods Can Help
- Move Things Along. 1/15. The best way to stay regular is to exercise, eat a healthy, fiber-rich diet, and drink plenty of water.
- Raspberries. 2/15.
- Pears. 3/15.
- Popcorn. 4/15.
- Watermelon. 5/15.
- Oatmeal. 6/15.
- Almonds. 7/15.
- Turnip Greens. 8/15.
What foods become Unconstipated?
Here are 15 healthy foods that can help you poop.
- Apples. Apples are a good source of fiber, with one small apple (5.3 ounces or 149 grams) providing 3.6 grams of fiber ( 2 ).
- Prunes. Prunes are often used as a natural laxative — and for good reason.
- Kiwi.
- Flax seeds.
- Pears.
- Beans.
- Rhubarb.
- Artichokes.
What drinks are good for constipation?
Juices and dosage
- Prune juice. The most popular juice to relieve constipation is prune juice.
- Apple juice. Apple juice may provide you with a very gentle laxative effect.
- Pear juice. Another great option is pear juice, which contains four times more sorbitol than apple juice.
What’s the best fruit for constipation?
Dried fruits, such as dates, figs, prunes, apricots, and raisins, are another great source of dietary fiber that acts as constipation relief. “Prunes, in particular, are great because they not only are high in fiber, they also contain sorbitol, which is a natural laxative,” Prather says.
How can I instantly relieve constipation?
Tips for immediate constipation relief
- Take a fiber supplement.
- Eat foods for constipation relief.
- Drink a glass of water.
- Take a laxative stimulant.
- Take an osmotic laxative.
- Try a lubricant laxative.
- Use a stool softener.
- Try an enema.
Is yogurt good for constipation?
Try yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that’s good for your digestive system. It may help relieve constipation.
How can I get rid of constipation naturally?
Here are 13 natural home remedies to relieve constipation.
- Drink more water.
- Eat more fiber, especially soluble, non-fermentable fiber.
- Exercise more.
- Drink coffee, especially caffeinated coffee.
- Take Senna, an herbal laxative.
- Eat probiotic foods or take probiotic supplements.
- Over-the-counter or prescription laxatives.
What soups are good for constipation?
Beef broth, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or broth-based soups are other great food to help constipation.
Is bread good for constipation?
In conclusion, rye bread relieves mild constipation and improves colonic metabolism compared with white wheat bread and commonly used laxatives without increasing gastrointestinal adverse effects.
How should you sleep when constipated?
Place a firm pillow between your knees and hug one to support your spine. While you sleep on your left side at night, gravity can help take waste on a trip through the ascending colon, then into the transverse colon, and finally dump it into the descending colon — encouraging a trip to the bathroom in the morning.
What are the signs of a blocked bowel?
Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
- Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes.
- Loss of appetite.
- Constipation.
- Vomiting.
- Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
- Swelling of the abdomen.
What are the worst symptoms of constipation?
It may also be more difficult to pass stools and you may feel unable to empty your bowel completely. Your stools may appear dry, hard and lumpy, as well as abnormally large or small. Other symptoms of constipation can include: stomach ache and cramps.
What should I do if I haven’t pooped in 5 days?
Try taking laxatives
Types of laxative include fiber supplements (FiberCon, Metamucil), lubricants (Fleet), stimulants (Dulcolax, Correctol), osmotic agents such as milk of magnesia, and stool softeners (Colace, Docusate). A doctor or pharmacist can help a person determine the laxative that is best for them.
Does drinking warm water help you poop?
Staying hydrated helps soften stool and makes it easier to pass. Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.