Constipation can cause trouble for anyone in a variety of ages, though it is most common in toddlers and young children that are consuming solid foods but lack an adequate supply of fiber in their diets. Children are also more likely to have trouble managing constipation because they are not used to pain or how to express what the problem is. This problem causes your stool to become hard which makes it difficult to excrete. Eating the wrong foods can contribute to this problem, causing you to have constipation more often if you have a poor diet.
| Food | Description |
|---|---|
| Dairy Products
|
Dairy food such as whole milk, butter, cheese or ice cream have a very high fat content without a great deal of fiber. They are also slow to digest which causes them to move slowly through your digestive tract, impairing the normal functioning of your system. |
| Sweet Stuff
|
Foods that are very high in sugar and fat tend to be low in fluids and fiber, which will make it much easier for you to become constipated. Soft drinks, cakes, pastries, crackers, cookies and candy are known to contribute to digestion problems. |
| Fast Foods
|
Fast food causes a variety of health problems, including heart disease or constipation. Foods such as corn chips, pizzas, fries, pasta, frozen dinners and hamburgers are highly processed which causes them to lose their natural fiber content. Limiting the intake of these foods is essential to avoiding constipation. |
| Meat Products
|
You should include meat in your diet because this is a good source of protein, but high amounts of animal protein is harder for your body to digest than plant proteins. Consuming too much meat, particularly red meat can replace the fiber-rich foods in your diet, limiting your ability to get the fiber you need to keep your digestive system functioning the way it should. |
| Iron-rich Foods
|
Having too much iron in the body is known to cause constipation. Patients, especially men, should check their multivitamins to see how much iron they contain. When you experience constipation, cut back on foods right in iron such as liver, oysters and mussels. Consuming excessive amounts of iron can also damage the heart. |
| Others
|
Alcoholic beverages can cause constipation. Limit your alcohol intake to one drink for women and two drinks for men per day. Foods that contain white flour, white rice, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda or yeasted bread may also cause constipation. |
| Food | Description |
|---|---|
| Fiber-rich Foods
|
Fiber is essential to a healthy diet because it gives your stool a normal texture while adding bulk that makes it easier to pass. A healthy diet should include at least 20-35 grams of fiber each day. Raw vegetables, raisins, prunes and salads of leafy greens are some of the best sources of fiber that you can use to help relieve constipation. Getting a variety of fresh fruits (especially papaya) and vegetables in your diet is essential to dietary health. Grains such as fresh wheat bread or whole grain rice are also excellent sources of fiber that will help to relieve constipation. |
| Nuts
|
Almonds, particularly raw almonds, are high in fiber and can help to ease constipation if you eat them in moderation. Consuming around ¼ of a cup or 35-40 grams of raw almonds each day, about a handful of nuts, has been shown to be helpful in easing constipation symptoms in patients. |
| Flax Seeds
|
Pinto, kidney and lima beans help to soften your stool while providing you with a healthy dose of fiber that will make your stool easier to pass. A salad made from green onion, corn, pinto beans and bell pepper is a common constipation home remedy. |
| Beans
|
You should include meat in your diet because this is a good source of protein, but high amounts of animal protein is harder for your body to digest than plant proteins. Consuming too much meat, particularly red meat can replace the fiber-rich foods in your diet, limiting your ability to get the fiber you need to keep your digestive system functioning the way it should. |
| Yogurt
|
Yogurt contains healthy bacteria known as probiotics that help you digest food properly. If your body is naturally low in these bacteria it can disrupt your ability to digest foods which will lead to constipation among other digestion problems. |
| Water
|
If you are dehydrated it will dry out your stool and make it difficult to pass, even if you have plenty of fiber in you. You should increase your water intake to at least 6-8 glasses of water each day and consume plenty of fruit and vegetable juices to make sure you are getting the liquid content your body needs to maintain healthy digestion. |
