Foods to help with constipation

Part of the daily functions of our bodies is the elimination of waste. When our bowel movement process becomes irregular, this causes a built up of toxins in our system and we experience constipation. While there are some psychological causes of constipation, most are problems in lifestyle and eating habits. What are some of the foods to help with constipation?

Over four million Americans experience constipation on a regular basis. The physical effects of constipation include bloating, abdominal pain, rectal pain and an overall bad feeling. Constipation can affect our general mood as well as performance at school or work. It’s important to try to return to what our body considers normal and this is best done with the diet.

Some of the foods to help with constipation can start first thing in the morning. Begin treating fiber as your friend. Eating fresh fruits and a good whole grain oatmeal or toast for breakfast will start your day off in the right direction. Knowing that soluble fiber is the best for you, you can plan the rest of your meals for the day to include: raw leafy green vegetables, dried beans, apples, barley and bananas. Whole grains can be added to your dietary regiment to help the balance. Make your selections to include: sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and asparagus. Don’t forget the insoluble fiber foods. They are also a good food source to keep your system regular. Think about adding cereals, seeds, wheat bran and be sure to eat the skins of the fruits and vegetables.

Always drink a lot of water. The fluids that are added to you system will help in the stool softening process. The body depends on fluids to eliminate constipation. If you have been dehydrated, that could have been one of the causes in the first place. Other digestion lubricants include the healthy oils. Canola and olive oil are two of the best for cooking and use in salad dressings. These are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils and are the best for overall body health.

Grandma was right about the prunes. Prunes and prune juice is a natural laxative that will help in getting rid of constipation. If you want to maintain a natural direction, you might also consider going to a high quality health store. You can find a good selection of: dandelion root, aloe and passion flower products. The representative will assist in helping you choose from a variety of herbal teas. The teas shouldn’t be taken for more than a week and many include: psyllium seed, milk thistle, senna and flax.

To maintain a healthy digestive tract you will also need to be very aware of what needs to be eliminated from your diet. Dairy products can constipate you, especially if you experience mild or severe lactose intolerance. A high diet of salt, coffee, sugar, alcohol, red meat and soft drinks can also contribute to constipation.

A good diet, combined with lots of water and regular exercise can help to keep constipation away. For times of stress you can increase the intake of the healthy foods to offset any irregularities.

Always consult with a physician or your medical provider before adding anything to your dietary regiment.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.