Five Foods That Help Relieve Constipation

Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their lives. Certain medications, lack of physical activity, pregnancy or even dehydration can trigger the condition. If left untreated, constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures or even fecal incontinence — the inability to control your bowels.

While suffering from painful, infrequent bowel movements is unpleasant, most cases of constipation can be treated by eating the right foods. Kristen Smith, MS, R.D., a bariatric surgery coordinator at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, shares five foods that can help relieve constipation.

1. Oatmeal. “Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that allows more water to remain in the stool,” says Smith. “This makes the stool softer and larger, and ultimately easier to pass.”

2. Chia seeds. Chia seeds are packed with calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. They are a great source of fiber and can help stave off hunger.  Add two tablespoons of chia seeds to your smoothie, yogurt, salad or oatmeal.

3. Prunes. Eat a few dried or stewed prunes. “One prune has 1 gram of fiber, so it’s a fiber powerhouse,” says Smith. “Prunes also contain fermentable sugars such as fructans and sorbitol that offer a laxative effect.”

4. Beans. Beans contain both insoluble and soluble fiber, and that combination helps stool move through your intestines. Consider eating three servings of beans each week to prevent constipation.  

5. Raspberries. Berries, specifically raspberries, are a great way to relieve constipation. One cup of raspberries has 8 grams of fiber, double the fiber found in strawberries. Sprinkle a few raspberries on top of your yogurt, smoothie or salad.

How to prevent constipation

Constipation can be a real pain. To prevent the condition, Smith recommends the following:  

• Increase your fiber intake. “Slowly increase your fiber intake over the course of a week,” she says.  “The maintenance goal for fiber intake is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men, or 21 grams and 30 grams daily, respectively, for those over the age of 50.”

• Stay hydrated. Drink at least eight cups of water per day.

• Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise five times per week.  You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. Try accomplishing your exercise in 10-minute intervals.

• Eat a balanced diet.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and try to keep the skin on the fruit to maximize your fiber intake. Also, include whole grain sources at every meal, like oatmeal, brown rice and whole wheat bread because they are high in fiber, which can help bulk up your stool.

Try one of these healthy recipes to incorporate more fiber into your diet.

Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online.

 

Relieve Constipation in Kids | Dr. Bobby Garrison

By
Dr. Bobby Garrison,
Pediatric Associates

Pediatricians get numerous calls about constipation and spend a good deal of time discussing stooling at well-child visits. Constipation is defined as less than three bowel movements per week and/or hard and painful bowel movements with soiling or abdominal pain.

Signs Your Child May Be Constipated:

• Newborns – Firm stool less than once a day
• Older Children – Hard compact stools with 3 to 4 days between bowel movements
• Any Age – Large, hard and dry stools associated with painful bowel movements.
• Episodes of abdominal pain that is relieved after a larger bowel movement
• Soiling between bowel movements

A child may become constipated for many reasons including, diet, lack of exercise, emotional issues, an underlying physical problem, or he may simply be too busy. Whatever the cause, constipation is a common problem in kids. Making a few diet and lifestyle changes can help treat and prevent constipation. Never give your child an enema, laxative or stool softener without talking to your pediatrician first.

Fiber-Rich Foods that Help Relieve Constipation

Children 1 – 4 years of age

• Apples (cooked)
• Applesauce
• Broccoli (cooked)
• Bulgur wheat
• Carrots (cooked)
• Hummus
• Kidney Beans
• Lentils
• Oatmeal
• Pears (canned)
• Peas
• Raisins
• Refried Beans
• Wheat Germ
• Whole Wheat Bread

Children 4 years old and older

Include all food on the list above but older children may have fruits and vegetables cooked or raw.

• Almonds
• Flax Seed
• Oranges
• Peanut Butter
• Popcorn

Over-the-counter fiber gummies may help children 4 and older who are in significant pain, but they are not a good long-term substitute for fiber gained from fresh foods.

In addition to eating a diet high in fiber, encourage your child to drink more water and limit drinks with caffeine. Encourage him to be more physically active. Physical activity helps to move bowel contents through the body.

Never give your child under a year of age honey or any sort of syrup. These products can lead to botulism, a potentially paralyzing disease that may be fatal.

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About CHKD Medical Group

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6 foods to help fight constipation

OK, so a lack of bowel movements may not be your favorite topic, but pretty much everyone goes through it at one point or another. So let’s talk about it!

Constipation can occur for a variety of medical reasons, but more often than not, it is simply due to a poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle. If you’re regularly dehydrated, inactive or eat a high-processed food and low-fiber diet, you may experience a whole lot of constipation. If you’re suffering from that crampy, bloated, “stuck” feeling, check out the foods below to help fill you up and “go.”

1. Water

I’m not trying to sell you on water being a delicious food, but I do want you to know that hydration is key when it comes to constipation. This is a no brainer when it comes to keeping yourself regular. Good ol’ h30 is a crucial component to relieving that uncomfortably “full” feeling and helping to move waste through your bowels.

Also, water has additional health benefits related to all cellular functions, including everything from your metabolism to your skin health. So, drink up, now, it’s the first step in stopping constipation.

RELATED: 10 tummy troubles you should never ignore

2. Apples

According to the USDA, a medium-sized apple provides you with 4.4 grams of fiber. One a day may or may not keep the doctor away, but its real superpower is the level of soluble fiber it contains. Soluble fiber is the type of fiber that absorbs water. This means that it will retain water as it passes through your digestive system creating a gel like consistency and helping to prevent constipation.

RELATED: 5 ways your food can make you feel better instantly

Slicing and enjoying apples on their own is an obvious go-to, but add apples to a cabbage slaw to mix things up and keep your fiber intake interesting. If you’re sick of chomping on apples, throw raspberries, grapefruits, mangoes and oranges into the mix, they’re also high in soluble fiber and great for digestive health.

3. Artichokes

Artichokes are an antioxidant rich, healthy whole food that provides you with 10. 3 grams of fiber. It’s particularly high in insoluble fiber. This is the type that doesn’t absorb water, and bulks your stool. Think of it as a scrub brush going through your intestines. A healthy dose of insoluble fiber is just what you need to get things moving, literally.

RELATED: 9 foods to boost your metabolism

Steam and snack, or toss the hearts with hearts of palm for this super simple salad combo — or try one of Al Roker’s favorite ways to eat artichoke: grilled with a tasty vinaigrette:

Brandon Goodwin / TODAY

Artichokes not for you? Bell peppers, eggplant, and leafy greens like kale, broccoli rabe and arugula are also high in insoluble fiber.

4. Beans

There’s good reason why your parents were always reminding you to finish your peas and carrots, and that beans are referred to as the “magical fruit.” Legumes like beans, chickpeas and green peas are digestive superstars. Depending on what type, they will have anywhere from 6-9 grams of fiber per half cup! Top your salad with these or try a bean salad like this black-eyed pea salad, that contains artichokes to make it even better for your gut. If you want a bean dish that’s a little more substantial, whip up this tasty white bean stew:

Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

5. Oatmeal

One cup of traditional oatmeal will provide you with 4 grams of fiber. Like all high-fiber foods, oats contain a combo of insoluble and soluble fiber, but they’re famous for helping to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of diabetes.

Oats make a perfect breakfast to get you going (in energy levels and on the potty). Top with raspberries for an extra fiber boost, or if you suffer from an insatiable sweet tooth, try this peanut butter cup oatmeal.

6. Pistachios

These on-the-go nuts are high in potassium, provide you with important B vitamins, and just one ounce packs about 3 grams of fiber. The fiber will help stay fuller longer and the healthy fat and protein also add satiety, making them a perfect snack if you’re looking to manage your weight. Plus, you gotta do a little work for each one! Use them to top a salad for extra crunch, even include them in your salad dressing for an extra nutty flavor or make your very own pistachio butter.

Alamy

For more tips on how to live your most nutritious life, follow Keri on Instagram @nutritiouslifeoffical and sign up for our One Small Thing newsletter!

Foods That Help You Poop When You Have Stomach Problems

Oren Aks/Thrillist

Digestive issues can be embarrassing (if they’re happening to you), or hilarious (if they’re happening to someone else). As funny as farting is, no one wants to admit they were the person who just crop-dusted the entire office right before lunch. On the more extreme ends of the spectrum, running to the bathroom every 10 minutes to relieve yourself isn’t much fun, nor is waiting in vain for a poop that refuses to come.

The semi-silver lining? Your digestive system is designed to handle (most of) the abuse it takes, provided you treat it right. While it’s tempting to sprint to the nearest drugstore and down an entire container of TUMS, your first stop should be your kitchen. “Food should always be your first line of treatment for any gastrointestinal problems,” says Dr. Su Sachar, a board-certified gastroenterologist. She says she often relieves patients of symptoms simply by changing their diet, rather than resorting to prescriptions or other meds. Read on for her advice and other science-backed suggestions on what to eat to soothe a screwed-up stomach.

The issue: Constipation

When you’re stopped up, focus on fiber. You’re probably not getting enough of the recommended 22 to 34 grams per day. To help move things along, Sachar says to reach for foods that contain insoluble fiber, which doesn’t get digested by the GI tract and passes through your gut, acting as a natural laxative.

Apples and berries
With about five grams of fiber in one, an apple a day keeps constipation away. Keep in mind that juice doesn’t count; the insoluble, bulk-forming fiber you want, called pectin, is located in the skin of the apple. Berries are also a good bet — grab a handful or use them to top yogurt or (high-fiber!) cereal. Raspberries (eight grams of fiber per cup) and blackberries (7. 6 grams per cup) have the most bang for your buck.

Air-popped popcorn
Not that you need another reason to Netflix and chill, but popcorn is also a great way to help you poop. Unfortunately, that bag of Orville Redenbacher’s you’ve had in your pantry for three years isn’t going to cut it. “Microwave popcorn has 30% less fiber and about 80% more sodium than air-popped,” Dr. Sachar says. Plus you’ll miss out on the potentially harmful chemicals found in the flavoring of the conventional kind. Here’s an easy way to air-pop kernels at home.

Dried plums
In case you didn’t know, the gross-sounding “prunes” your grandparents ate have been rebranded as “dried plums” by savvy marketing teams, but they still work the same magic. This is thanks to their plentiful soluble and insoluble fiber (six grams per half cup) and sorbitol, a non-digestible sugar alcohol with laxative effects, Sachar explains. Research even determined prunes to be more effective than psyllium (think: Metamucil) and should be considered a “first line therapy” against constipation.

ADELART/Shutterstock

Nuts
In particular, Sachar recommends Brazil nuts, peanuts, and walnuts for their poop-producing power. Along with fiber, these varieties contain a hefty dose of nutrients like protein and healthy fats. Stick to a handful of nuts per serving so you don’t go overboard on calories, which can add up fast.

Flaxseed
Full of insoluble and soluble fiber, these tiny seeds deliver a big benefit for your digestive tract and can help relieve constipation. Two words to the wise: make sure the seeds are ground, not intact (they’ll pass right through you), and drink tons of water. If you don’t have enough liquid in your system, flax may have the opposite effect.

The issue: Gas and bloating

Can’t button your pants at the end of the day? No, you didn’t just gain 10lbs, but that plate of pasta you had for lunch may be to blame. As Sachar points out, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to these types of GI issues. If you have continuous digestive problems, you might want to try an elimination diet to see which foods you can tolerate and which you can’t. In the meantime, these foods might just help your blown-up gut.

Fennel, oregano, and peppermint
Flavorful plants like fennel, oregano, and peppermint work wonders on gas and bloating, Sachar says. They help by naturally decreasing the spasms of the muscular lining of the intestine, relaxing overworked bowels.

grafvision/Shutterstock

Ginger
Ginger is also a good choice: it “accelerates gastric emptying,” which means exactly what you think. Drink it in hot tea, or add it to soups or stir-fries. Just make sure you’re buying it fresh, not pickled, the kind they serve with sushi.

The issue: Diarrhea

Getting the runs can be a result of a bacterial infection, in which case the problem is short-lived and usually resolves itself within a day or so, according to Sachar. Not so reassuring in the moment, though!

Other causes can be more complicated, such as a food sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome. If it lasts more than three days, it’s time to see a gastroenterologist to see what could be the cause. For more temporary cases, focus on replenishing your system with probiotic-rich — but otherwise bland and boring — foods, like these:

Fermented foods
Foods that require some sort of bacterial activity to make — think yogurt, kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut — contain probiotics, which help calm down an overactive digestive system, Suchar says. In fact, recent research shows probiotics help shorten a bout of diarrhea by about one day. Anyone who’s had a bad case knows that 24 hours may as well be a week.

Peas and carrots
While you want to be careful with raw veggies that can irritate your system, these two are rich in soluble fiber, which acts like a sponge in your intestines, Suchar says. “It helps sop up everything in the way to create a more formed bowel movement.” More formed bowel movements are your goal, people. Keep things simple.

Paulo Vilela/Shutterstock

Bananas
If your mother ever made you follow the classic cure for diarrhea, known as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), she was actually onto something. Bananas contain beneficial soluble fiber, including inulin, a prebiotic that also promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut. They also have the added benefit of potassium, which helps restore nutrients that you lose after all that time on the toilet.

Lean protein
As your system starts to settle down, you’re going to want to build up your energy levels with some protein. Opt for cooked, skinless chicken, turkey, or lean steak, which can all help you avoid fatigue that can be yet another unfortunate side effect of diarrhea.

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Locke Hughes is a freelance writer who doesn’t recommend eating all of these foods at a single meal.

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11 Foods That Cause Constipation, Even Though They’re Good For You

When you gotta go, sometimes you just can’t go. If you’ve ever been constipated, you know the discomfort that not being able to poop can cause. And while you might be racking your brain for the cause since you’ve been eating so nutritiously, know that there are healthy foods that cause constipation and they may oh-so-sneakily be the cause of your intestinal backup.

Essentially, constipation is just a slowing down of how fast food can pass through your digestive tract, and there are a variety of reasons this could be the case. What you eat is definitely one of them.

As registered dietitian nutritionist Erin Lisemby Judge, RDN, of Judge Nutrition & Wellness tells Bustle, to improve constipation, make sure you are eating plenty of fiber, but not too much.

“Choose these foods as your fiber sources: fruits, vegetables, cooked oats, and whole grains. If you’re looking to add more fiber to your diet, adding ground flax seed is a great option,” Judge says.

Other ways to improve constipation, Judge says, are to stay hydrated and move your body. If you’re dehydrated, stool can become hard, which prevents it from moving through the gastrointestinal tract with ease.

Exercise also helps supply the GI tract with blood flow to increase the movement of stool, Judge says. So some gentle exercise like a walk, a light jog, or yoga might help ease constipation without causing more discomfort. Below, take a look at some foods you might want to steer clear of if the goal is to clear out your bowels.

1

Cauliflower

Anton Mayorov/ Shutterstock

Yes, back away from the great white cruciferous veggie when things in the gut are not on the move. That means no more cauliflower crust pizza. At least for now.

“Although this versatile veggie has found its way into the health world spotlight, it can cause issues for a constipated digestive system,” Judge says. “Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and is made up of complex sugars that are very difficult to digest. When you’re already constipated, poor digestion will only make matters worse.”

Other cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, asparagus, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, Judge says.

2

Onions And Garlic

This one is a little counterintuitive, Judge says, since these two flavor staples can be incredible for gut health, because they contain phytonutrients and prebiotics.

“But, they also contain FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), which are small components of carbohydrates that are hard to digest,” Judge says.

Thusly, these two delicious add-ins are usually a concern for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well those who have constipation. “Large servings of these may make things worse,” Judge says.

3

Kale

Close Up Of Woman With Kale On ForkShutterstock

Nutritionally speaking, most people only have good things to say about kale, right? Maybe even too many good things — like, we get it already. But if you’re constipated, you might want to steer clear of kale until things are on the move again.

“Kale is loaded with amazing nutrients, including fiber,” Judge says. “While fiber is necessary for bowel regularity, it can cause discomfort when you’re already constipated.”

Kale is also cruciferous, Judge says, which makes it even more difficult to break down. Cooking your kale may make it easier to digest, so you might want to get out your steamer.

“Or you can mix up your greens for more variety,” Judge says.

4

Nuts And Seeds

Step away from the trail mix — it isn’t helping your constipation.

“Nuts and seeds are good sources of healthy fats, and easy to incorporate into your diet,” Judge says. “But, large amounts of these can add excess fiber to the diet, which may be worsening your constipation.”

These will be tricky for those with IBS or chronic digestive issues, Judge says. So go ahead and mix up your healthy fat sources by incorporating small servings of avocado, olives, or olive oil, and fish into your routine.

5

Grains With Gluten

Young woman in the city street sitting on concrete stairs holding sandwich browsing internet on smartphone smiling joyfulShutterstock

Sure, gluten has a bad reputation these days, even though there are still plenty of glutenous grains out there that have a lot to offer. That being said, you might be among those who really struggle to digest gluten with ease.

“Some people can have constipation when they eat foods that contain gluten, like wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut and triticale,” nutritionist Ashley Wood, RN, BSN from Demystifying Your Health, LLC, tells Bustle. “But processed grains, such as white bread, white rice, or white pasta, don’t have the fiber that whole grains have, so they are even more likely to result in constipation.”

Ultimately, with things like grains and high fiber foods, you kind of have to observe what they do to your own digestion.

6

Red Meat

Red meat also has little fiber, but large amounts of protein, Wood says. So a steak or a burger might not get top billing for a meal if you’re constipated.

“When you eat red meat, it’s more likely to make you feel full, so you might not eat things that are more fibrous,” Wood says. In addition, red meat is high in fat which takes your body longer to digest.

Try having a little salad alongside the meat, but if you’re really blocked up, opt out on this iron-fueled choice.

7

Dark Chocolate

Beautiful african woman holding and eating a huge dark chocolate barShutterstock

“The flavonoids in dark chocolate may play a role in possibly reducing blood pressure or risk of blood clots but this sweet doesn’t necessarily do you any favors when it comes to constipation,” Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, author of Meals That Heal: 100+Everyday Anti-Inflammatory Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less, tells Bustle.

It isn’t a source of fiber so isn’t going to get things moving, and for some people, the milk in it may even add to your GI issues, Williams says.

“If you’ve got to have a little chocolate, then choose one that includes nuts or dried fruit to boost fiber,” Williams says. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

8

Cheese

This might not be a shocker, but foods like cheese and milk sometimes just stay put, intestinally speaking.

“Dairy foods like cheese are great sources of calcium, but don’t necessarily keep things moving in the GI tract,” Williams says. “And if you’ve got an intolerance to milk, the effects may be even worse in terms of constipation.”

The flip-side to the case though is that dairy with live bacteria cultures like yogurt or kefir may actually have a beneficial effect when it comes to alleviating constipation and keeping things running regularly, Williams says. So just be mindful of which kind of dairy you’re putting in your grocery basket.

9

Bananas

woman with a banana package with food Shutterstock

“When you look at fiber content in terms of energy […] bananas come in at the bottom of the list,” Williams says. “This means that there are a lot of other fruits and produce choices that can provide much more benefit in terms of regularity than a banana.” Unripe bananas are particularly hard to digest.

In fact, their low fiber is one of reason they’re recommended when you’re getting over an upset stomach, Williams says. But they are not great for constipation. Maybe choose some blueberries or an apple instead!

10

Persimmons

Not the most common thing to find on your plate, necessarily, but one to watch out for if you’re blocked. While they are rich in fiber and Vitamin C, some of the other elements of a persimmons’ makeup can cause digestive struggle.

Chef and nutritionist Ariane Resnick, CNC, of Ariane Cooks, tells Bustle that persimmons are a healthy fruit that contain tannins which slow motility.

“Tannins slow movement by reducing the secretions of important digestive juices,” Resnick says.

11

Tea And Coffee

Woman drinking coffee in a cafe. Portrait of happy brunette with mug in hands.Shutterstock

“A cup of coffee or caffeinated tea all contain antioxidants and have health benefits, but they are also dehydrating,” Hillary Cecere MS, RDN, registered dietitian, tells Bustle. “Dehydration can result in constipation because the large intestine will then absorb water which can result in harder stools that can be hard to pass.”

Instead of that second (or let’s be honest, third) cup of java, you might want to stick to water until your bowel movements are regular again.

So if you are feeling super clogged, paying attention to what you are ingesting will be greatly helpful. And remember, my friends, where constipation is concerned, this too shall pass.

Feeling constipated? Try these 5 foods that can help you poop

If you often feel constipated and bloated, don’t fret. We’ve got the solution for your constipation woes courtesy these five foods that can help you poop.

Do you often find yourself spending time in the washroom with not much success? If you’re all blocked up then don’t be embarrassed, because constipation happens! And we’re here with solutions to help you poop better.

But first, let’s understand what causes constipation?
Constipation happens when the movement of food through the digestive system slows down, because of a low-fibre diet, old age, physical inactivity, or certain medications.

Although there are many over-the-counter remedies for curing constipation like laxatives and stool softeners—it’s best to start with fibre-rich foods that keep your bowel movements in tip-top shape.

So without further ado, here’s presenting five foods that can help you poop better:

1. Munch on some juicy apples
While we all know that an apple a day can keep the doctor away, turns it out this fruit can also keep constipation at bay. According to a study by the US National Library of Medicine, apples are a great source of fibre with each apple providing up to four grams of fibre.

Apples are truly the superfoods you can chomp on when you’re constipated. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

A specific type of soluble fibre called pectin, found naturally in apples, is known to be a laxative. Research suggests that pectin smoothens the process of colon transit of food by increasing the beneficial bacteria in the gut. So, top up your yogurt and oatmeal with fresh apples or just bite into one.

2. Sweet potatoes can bring you sweet relief
While the lack of smooth colon transit might make you feel like a potato, sweet potato can actually help you poop. A powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, sweet potato also contains a good amount of fibre that can help increase poop regularity.

You won’t find a better snack than the humble sweet potato if you’re bogged down by constipation. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Research studying the dietary fibre found in sweet potatoes claims that one medium sweet potato has healthy fibres such as cellulose, lignin, and pectin. This fibre content, according to a 2016 study, helped 57 leukaemia patients poop better by reducing straining and discomfort while they were undergoing chemotherapy.

Also read: Meet the healthy potato that can help you lose weight

3. Juicy pears are the way to go!
While pears might not seem like a poop-friendly food, they actually are. Interestingly, one medium pear can help us meet 24% of our daily fibre needs since it contains six grams of fibre.

Other than its high-fibre content, pears have many qualities that can help you poop. A study by the American National Institute of Health found that pears have sorbitol and fructose. These naturally-found sugar alcohols act as osmotic agents that pull water into the intestines and stimulate bowel movements.

4. Let chia seeds do their magic!
While we all have recently discovered how phenomenal this superfood is for weight loss, we can’t deny its laxative benefits. According to a study by the US National Library of Medicine, chia seeds are one of the most fibre dense foods, since 40% of its weight is just fibre. This micro-superfood can absorb 12 times its weight in water and moisten stool allowing for easier elimination.

Chia seeds in your breakfast smoothie can help you poop. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Kiwi fruit is the sweetest laxative you can try
The juicy kiwi fruit is extremely high in fibre and can help stimulate movement in the digestive tract, helping to induce a bowel movement, according to an American National Institute of Health study.

The study gave 33 constipated and 20 non-constipated participants kiwi fruit twice daily over a four-week period. They found that kiwi fruit helped speed up intestinal transit time, decrease laxative use, and improve symptoms of constipation. So, the next time you feel blocked up, just blend a kiwi fruit into your smoothie for a high-fibre treat.

Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG: Gastroenterologist

Constipation affects up to 1 in 3 American adults. Older adults and women are at greatest risk. Constipation is usually characterized as:

• Having fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Having stools that are hard or dry
• A feeling that stool hasn’t passed completely
• Having stools that are hard or painful to pass

You may also experience bloating, gas, and abdominal pain as a side effect of your intermittent bowel habits.

Board-certified gastroenterologist Bharat Pothuri, MD, and the team at GastroDoxs can help patients in and around Houston, Texas, to ease uncomfortable constipation so they feel more relaxed and healthy. Although aging, certain medications, and functional gastrointestinal disorders can cause constipation, so can your dietary habits. One way to reduce constipation is to revise your food choices.

Just a few dietary revisions go a long way in making you more comfortable. Be aware that the following foods can contribute to your problems with constipation.

1. Red meat

A juicy steak or burger once in a while can be a healthy addition to your diet, but eating red meat daily can contribute to constipation. Red meat has no fiber. Fiber is needed because it adds bulk to stool so it moves through your system smoothly. Plus, if you fill up on red meat – which can be quite satiating – you may eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (all high-fiber foods) as a result.

Many cuts of red meat contain high amounts of fat and iron, two nutrients that can contribute to constipation, too.

2. Dairy

Sensitivity to the proteins in cows’ milk is often associated with loose stools or diarrhea, but research shows that come people experience constipation due to milk (or other dairy) consumption.

Try a dairy alternative, such as soy or almond milk, to see if you experience an improvement in your constipation symptoms. Minimize your intake of cheese and butter, too, if you find dairy is a trigger.

3. Refined grains

Refined grains, such as white bread, processed snack crackers, and white rice, have much (or all) of the fiber stripped away. When you consume them instead of fiber-rich whole grains, your bowel function suffers.

The USDA recommends consuming a minimum of 6 ounces of whole grains per day if you follow a 2,000-calorie diet. So make substitutions such as 100% whole-wheat bread for white slices and brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol is dehydrating. When you don’t have enough fluid in your body, your stools grow hard and compact so they’re hard to pass. Alcohol also slows digestion and can cause bowel irritation, exacerbating constipation symptoms.

Stick to the recommended one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men. If you have serious constipation problems, forego alcohol altogether or save it for special occasions.

5. Fast food

At most fast food restaurants, white buns and fries are the norm. The burgers or fried chicken patties inside these buns are high in fat, and the whole meal package is very low in fiber. Fried foods and low-fiber foods both contribute to constipation. Make them a steady staple in your diet and you may be responsible, at least in part, for your blocked bowels.

Opt for turkey burgers or lean ground beef burgers cooked at home with 100% whole wheat buns. If you can, find takeout that offers sweet potato fries as an option as they’re higher in fiber and more nutritious than the white type.

Constipation is not only uncomfortable, it can be maddening. At GastroDoxs, we’re here to help with dietary revisions, medication, and lifestyle changes. If you’re done with the misery of bloating, gas, and hard stools, call today for an appointment or schedule using the online tool. 

90,000 Laxatives for constipation: types and effectiveness

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Date of last update: 15.06.2021

Average Read Time: 9 minutes

Contents:

Stimulating laxatives
Means that increase the volume of intestinal contents
Emollients
Microclysters

Stool retention is common in both sexes, in all age groups ² .According to various sources, from 2 to 27% of the population 90,030 1 is faced with it, and there is a tendency towards an increase in the prevalence of constipation among young people 90,030 2 . There are no exact statistics in Russia, since not everyone reports such a delicate problem to a doctor ¹ .

Constipation can be a symptom of a specific medical condition. If, after examination, no changes in the intestines or other organs can be found, constipation is considered a primary violation ¹⁶ .

To restore regularity of the stool, you need to change the diet, drink enough fluids and increase physical activity ⁴ .If these methods are ineffective, laxatives ² are used as symptomatic treatment. They are prescribed to cleanse the intestines by removing dense feces from it, which are difficult to pass. Laxatives also help restore regular and painless stools, make them soft and prevent the occurrence of “fecal blockage” ^1,3,11 .

Today, laxatives with different mechanisms of action are presented on the pharmaceutical market.But for convenience, they are divided into 3 large groups ^{1, 3} :

• Stimulating;
• Increasing the volume of intestinal contents;
• Chair softeners.

Each group is suitable for solving a specific problem that led to constipation ³ . We will understand all this diversity in the article.

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Stimulant laxatives

Stimulants of peristalsis (intestinal contractions) – irritating substances that affect the nerve endings in the intestinal mucosa ^3,4,5,6,7 .

Medicines with an irritating effect can act on different parts of the digestive tract ^3.4.5 :

• small intestine – the area of ​​action of castor oil and laxative resins;
• the activity of the colon is increased by preparations of senna, buckthorn, rhubarb, sulfur, sodium picosulfate and diphenylmethane derivatives.

Also, drugs are isolated that are converted into an active form under the influence of intestinal enzymes, so they “work” both in the small and large intestines ^3,4,5,6 .

It is important to remember that the abuse of stimulant laxatives may have side effects:

• Diarrhea with cramping abdominal pain . Due to diarrhea, the body loses the necessary ions of potassium, sodium and chlorine. With their deficiency, general weakness is disturbing, and due to the imbalance of ions, the likelihood of arrhythmias and a decrease in blood pressure appears ^5.16 .
• The phenomenon of “lazy bowel” . “Lazy” is called the large intestine, which has become an enlarged tube that has lost its tone.Without taking large doses of laxatives, she is not able to contract and promote feces. This often happens if the drug accumulates in the mucous membrane of the colon and its nerve plexuses, and then destroys the smooth muscles that push the feces ^1.5.16 .

Lazy bowel syndrome is manifested by the progression of constipation, which is difficult to correct ^2.5 . Due to quick addiction ⁷ peristalsis stimulants are not recommended to be used for more than 14 days ^5.16 .

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Drugs that increase the volume of intestinal contents

Bulk laxatives retain water, swell and expand the intestinal walls with an increased volume. Excessive stretching triggers peristalsis, and bowel movement is accelerated ¹⁷ .

This group of drugs includes ^3.16 :

• dietary fiber;
• osmotic laxatives – macrogol, lactulose, salts.

The listed drugs are difficult to digest, and some are not digested at all, therefore they are practically not absorbed through the mucous membrane into the blood ¹⁷ .

Dietary fiber

Dietary fiber (fiber) is found in bran, seaweed, psyllium and flax seed coat ¹⁴ . They are also found in fruits and vegetables. Fiber is capable of swelling in the intestinal lumen, increasing the mass of feces, which mechanically irritates the intestinal wall ^3.7 . But the effect appears immediately, and after 10 days, sometimes the result has to wait up to 3 weeks ⁶ .

To get a laxative effect when using dietary fiber, do not forget to drink enough water ³ – 1.5-2 liters per day ¹⁷ , because to increase the volume of feces, fiber must absorb a lot of liquid ^3.7 .

When choosing between wheat bran and psyllium, keep in mind that wheat bran can cause flatulence ^7.16 . Therefore, the elderly are advised to use psyllium seeds, which are better tolerated ¹⁶ .

Macrogol

Products based on polyethylene glycol (macrogol) are classified as poorly absorbed substances ^6.9 . Due to this property, they are able to retain fluid in the intestinal lumen ^7.9 .

Macrogol does not cause dehydration, but only slows down the absorption of water ¹⁴ . After taking a laxative, the stool liquefies, its consistency improves, and the frequency of bowel movements increases ⁷ .

The disadvantage of macrogol is a rather slowly developing effect and intestinal hypotension ¹ , and the main side effect is the potentiation of fecal incontinence ⁷ . According to the instructions, the recommended duration of taking macrogol is up to 14 days ⁸ .

Saline laxatives

Concentrated salts – magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, Karlovy Vary salt ^{8, 9} – act at the level of the small intestine and increase the osmotic pressure in it ¹⁷ . On the one hand, it attracts liquid into the intestinal lumen ^1,4,5,6.7 , and on the other hand, it retains water in it ^7.8 .

Under the influence of salts, the stool becomes liquid, as in diarrhea, and is easily excreted. ^{, 8.17} .

But it is precisely because of severe diarrhea that saline laxatives are not suitable for long-term use.With the constant release of loose stools, imbalances in the balance of water and ions can occur ¹⁷ . Also, these drugs are not recommended for people with kidney and heart diseases, because salts can be absorbed into the bloodstream in a minimal amount and retain water in the body ¹⁴ . When using Karlovy Vary salt, the unpleasant taste can be a problem for patients ⁸ .

Lactulose

Lactulose has a laxative effect not directly, but with the help of beneficial bacteria.Using it as food ^{10, 13} , bifidobacteria and lactobacilli living in the intestine secrete substances that act like osmotic laxatives ^7,10,13,17 . But at the same time, severe diarrhea does not occur, because lactulose “works” exclusively in the large intestine ^15.17 .

The laxative effect of lactulose develops gradually:

• with a single dose in 24-48 hours;
• with systematic – after 2-4 hours ¹⁵ .

Since lactulose is not digested, it is practically not absorbed and has no systemic side effects ¹⁵ . Sometimes, with an incorrectly selected dose against the background of the use of the drug, bloating of the abdomen can be disturbed ^15.17 .

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Emollients

These drugs for constipation include glycerin, almond and liquid paraffin, liquid paraffin and sodium docusate ^2.7.8 . They contribute to the saturation of feces with water, increasing the volume of intestinal contents and softening its consistency.In addition, stool softeners lubricate the intestinal mucosa. Currently, drugs in this group have a limited set of indications due to side effects (loss of fat-soluble vitamins) ^6.7 .

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Microclysters

Laxatives in the form of microclysters can be used to urgently empty the intestines from solid feces. ¹² . This form includes drugs with a combined mechanism of action, that is, working “together”.They expose the feces to peptization (break down dense masses), increase its volume and make it soft ^2.11 .

Microclysters are also used to correct constipation against the background of lazy colon syndrome ² .

Micro enema MICROLAX ^® acts locally and has a mild laxative effect due to its composition ¹¹ :

• sodium citrate, which displaces bound water from the fecal lump;
• sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, which loosens stools;
• sorbitol, which increases the flow of water into the intestinal lumen.

Due to the combined effect of three components, the laxative effect occurs quickly – on average from 5 to 15 minutes, according to the instructions for use.

It is easy to use MICROLAX ^® , no special knowledge or training is required ¹¹ . The tube with a tip contains the required single dose of the drug, and the microclysters format facilitates the use of a laxative, including in case of “stool plug” or preparation for rectal examination ¹¹ .

MICROLAX ^® is approved for use in adults and children from birth ¹¹ . It acts only on feces, softens them and facilitates bowel movements ¹¹ . At the same time, the drug is not addictive and does not affect the function of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Remember that laxatives do not eliminate the cause of constipation, they only reduce unpleasant symptoms. Their independent, prolonged or uncontrolled intake can aggravate the course of the causative disease, if stool retention is one of its manifestations ² .

All laxatives should only be taken after consulting a doctor. To get rid of constipation comfortably and effectively, be sure to be examined by a therapist or gastroenterologist. Only a specialist will be able to take into account all contraindications, the risk of side effects and prescribe medications so that they are not addictive.

Dealing with constipation will take patience and a holistic approach. Lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments and physical activity will help restore stool regularity ² .It is important to adhere to the recommendations of a specialist, and, if necessary, use laxatives prescribed by your doctor.

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace the professional advice of a physician. For a diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist

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Literature:

1. Minushkin O.N. Functional constipation: dynamics of ideas, diagnostics, some therapeutic approaches.Medical advice. 2017; 20: 92-95
2. Turchina M.S. The use of a complex laxative in the treatment of chronic constipation. Medical advice. 2017; 5: 77-79
3. Minushkin O.N. Chronic constipation (definition, epidemiology, diagnosis): modern drug therapy. Medical advice. 2015; 13: 100-105
4. Plotnikova E.Yu., Krasnov K.A. Constipation needs to be treated. Medical advice. 2018; 14: 61-66
5. Stepanov Yu.M., Vlasova O.N. et al. The negative effects of the abuse of laxatives in medical practice.Gastroenterologia. 2018; 52 (3): 168-173
6. Luzina E.V. Safety in the use of laxatives. Russian medical journal. 2014; 5: 41-44
7. Parfenov A.I. Three options for the pathogenesis and therapy of chronic constipation. Gastroenterology. 2012; 3: 7-19
8. Plotnikova E.Yu. Modern ideas about constipation. Therapist. 08/2015
9. Pharmacology of drugs affecting the function of the digestive system: a study guide by A.N. Leventa, L.B. Kuklina, S.G. Alexandrov, N.V. Verlan, L.O. Gutsol, I. Zh. Seminsky, O.V. Shabaturov; SBEE HPE ISMU of the Ministry of Health of Russia – Irkutsk, 2013.112 p. 102-103
10. Global Practice Guidelines of the World Gastroenterology Organization. Probiotics and prebiotics. 2017 – 37p.
11. Instructions for use MICROLAX ^® microclysters. // Reg. number P N011146 / 01 // State radar station of the Russian Federation. – URL: https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=f052fb31-5426-4bc1-958f-9fce793aa43f&t= (date of access 05.05.2010).
12. Erdes S.I., Matsukatova B.O. and others. Episodic and chronic constipation in children: a step-by-step approach to therapy within the framework of the IV Rome criteria. Pediatrics. Consilium Medicum. 2019; 1: 71-76
13. Constipation in young children: causes and features of nutritional correction O.N. Komarova, A.I. Khavkin (Questions of modern pediatrics. 2014; 13 (1): 114-118
14. Clinical guidelines. Constipation in adults (as a manifestation of systemic diseases). Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia (NOGR), Russian Scientific Medical Society of Physicians (RNMOT) – 2019
15. Lactulose: Arguments and Facts.Yu.O. Shulpekova. EFFECTIVE PHARMACOTHERAPY. Gastroenterology. 5/2011 – S. 28-71.
16. Clinical practice guidelines: Constipation / Russian Gastroenterological Association. Association of Coloproctologists of Russia – 2020.
17. Minushkin O.N. 1, Elizavetina G.A. Forlax in the treatment of chronic constipation: features of therapy for elderly patients / “breast cancer” No. 1 – 2006.

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See in our video which laxative to choose for constipation: tablets, syrup or micro enema

90,000 Constipation Diet | CardioNeurology.ru

Indications:

chronic bowel diseases with constipation with a mild and fading exacerbation and without exacerbation.

Purpose of diet No. 3: normalization of impaired intestinal functions and associated metabolic disorders in the body.

General characteristics of diet No. 3: physiologically complete diet with the inclusion of foods and dishes that enhance motor function and bowel emptying (vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, baked goods, cereals, fermented milk drinks, etc.). Exclusion of foods and dishes that increase fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines and negatively affect other digestive organs (rich in essential oils, fried foods, etc.). Food is cooked mostly unmilled, boiled in water or steamed, baked. Vegetables and fruits, raw and boiled. The diet includes cold first and sweet dishes, drinks.

Chemical composition and caloric content of the dietary table No. 3: proteins – 90-100 g (55% animals), fats – 90-100 g (30% vegetable), carbohydrates – 400-420 g, calories – 2800— 3000 kcal, sodium chloride – 15 g, free liquid – 1.5 liters.

Diet with diet number 3: 4-6 times a day. In the morning, cold water with honey or juices of fruits and vegetables are desirable; Pa night: kefir, fresh or dry fruit compotes, fresh fruit, prunes.

Recommended and excluded foods and dishes:

– soups. On a weak fat-free meat, fish broth, vegetable broth. Mainly vegetable (borscht, cabbage soup, beetroot soup), with pearl barley, fruit;

– bread and flour products.Wheat bread from flour of the 2nd grade, grain barvikhinsky, doctor’s; if tolerated – rye. All – yesterday’s baked goods. Uncooked biscuits, dry biscuit. Uncomfortable baked goods with fruits and berries – limited. And with: bread from flour of the highest grades, puff and butter dough;

– meat and poultry. Low-fat varieties of various types of meat, chicken, turkey – boiled, baked, mostly in pieces, sometimes chopped. Milk sausages. And with the key: fatty varieties, duck, goose, smoked meats, canned food;

– fish.Low-fat species. In a piece – boiled, baked. Seafood dishes. And with the key: fatty species, smoked fish, canned food;

– dairy products. Milk in dishes. Various fermented milk drinks. Fresh, non-acidic cottage cheese and dishes made from it: puddings, lazy dumplings, cheesecakes, combined with cereals. Cream. Mild cheese. Sour cream in dishes;

– eggs. Up to 2 pieces per day. Soft-boiled, steamed omelets, protein omelets, in meals. And with a t: hard-boiled, fried;

– cereals. Mainly in the form of crumbly cereals and casseroles of buckwheat, millet, wheat, barley, boiled in water with the addition of milk.And with the key or limit: rice, semolina, sago, noodles, legumes;

– vegetables. Beets, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin. cauliflower – raw and boiled for side dishes, in the form of casseroles. White cabbage, green peas – boiled and if tolerated. Limit potatoes. And from there: radish, radish, garlic, onion, turnip, mushrooms;

– snacks. Raw vegetable salads and vinaigrette with vegetable oil, vegetable caviar, fruit salads. Mild cheese, lean ham, soaked herring, meat and fish aspic.And with it: fatty and spicy dishes, smoked meats;

– fruits, sweet dishes, sweets. Fresh, ripe, sweet fruits and berries, raw and in dishes in increased quantities. Dried fruits in soaked form and in various dishes (prunes, dried apricots, apricots, figs). Honey, jam, marmalade, marshmallow, milk caramel. And with it: jelly, blueberries, quince, dogwood, chocolate, products with cream;

– sauces and spices. On a weak meat or fish broth, tomato, milk bechamel, less often sour cream, fruit.Dill, parsley, celery, bay leaf. And with a cup of tea: hot and fatty sauces, horseradish, mustard, pepper;

– drinks. Tea, coffee from substitutes. Broth of wild rose and wheat bran, fruit and vegetable juices (from plums, apricots, carrots, tomatoes, etc.). And with the key: cocoa, natural coffee, strong tea;

– fats. Butter. Vegetable oils are added to dishes. And with the key: animal and cooking fats.

Sample diet menu No. 3.

First breakfast: vegetable salad with vegetable oil, steam omelet, tea.

Second breakfast: fresh apple.

Lunch: vegetarian cabbage soup with sour cream, boiled meat with stewed beets, dried fruit compote.

Dinner: vegetable cabbage rolls, buckwheat groats with cottage cheese, tea.

For the night: kefir.

P.S. Before switching to a therapeutic diet, be sure to consult your doctor!

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9000 % of people regularly suffer from constipation.We will tell you what products really help to cope with this problem.

Why does constipation occur?

The reasons may be different: violation of the diet , certain foods in the diet, taking medications, lack of physical activity , infectious diseases.

Lack of stool is not the only symptom of constipation. This condition is often accompanied by nausea, decreased appetite, headache, heartburn, bad breath, insomnia, etc.

What foods cause constipation?

Those that contain the astringent substance tannin: dried blueberries, chocolate, strong black tea, jelly, red wines, slimy cereals (especially rice and semolina). Tannin dehydrates the food lump and complicates the work of the intestines, so doctors advise not eat these foods on an empty stomach.

What foods help with constipation?

• Water. Often the problem is caused by the lack of fluid in the body: it stimulates the digestive system and softens the stool.
• Foods with fiber : Lack of dietary fiber can also cause constipation. Vegetables, fruits, cereals and coarse grains are rich in fiber. Even in the Soviet Union, horses before the parade were given 2 tablespoons of flax to empty their intestines: one tablespoon of flaxseed contains almost 3 g of fiber.

What about beets, legumes and kefir?

Traditional medicine overestimated these foods:

• Legumes contain tannin, which makes it difficult for the intestines to function.If you eat too many of them, digestion, on the contrary, can be disrupted.
• Boiled beets can only help if liver problems are the cause of constipation. It contains a lot of betaine, which supports the work of this organ. However, in this case, it will not help for long: if you stop eating beets, problems with stool will return.
• Kefir has a strengthening effect, like milk. Only daily kefir, which practically does not exist on the shelves, can weaken. And even then, it will only help with mild constipation.

So you can be treated with water and fiber?

Yes, foods can help avoid enemas and laxatives. However, with prolonged constipation, you need to see a doctor. Only he can find the reason and save you from this problem forever. Constipation usually requires a specific diet and medication.

You can learn more about products that are used instead of laxatives from the storyline of the “Live Healthy” program

Diet table number 3.How To Eat For Chronic Bowel Disease | Proper nutrition | Health

The usual duration of the diet is until complete recovery.
Diet table number 3 is aimed at stimulating intestinal motility, which occurs due to the inclusion of mechanical and temperature stimuli in the diet. With this type of diet, foods rich in fiber, especially plant foods, are recommended, that is, for example, fresh vegetable salads.

Food Rules

Therapeutic diet number 3 provides for a fractional food intake, you need to eat 4-6 times a day at the same time.In no case should you take long breaks between meals.

All food is cooked unmilled; food is boiled, baked or steamed.

On an empty stomach, you can drink cold water or juice, at night – fermented milk drinks, compotes from dried fruits.

What can you do?

• Bread should be made from wholemeal flour, rye, grain, with bran. You can also use cookies.
• Vegetable soups are cooked, for example borsch, cabbage soup, cold soups, pearl barley soup on weak meat or fish broth are allowed.
• Meat is boiled, baked or fried without a crust. You can also make beef, veal, chicken, turkey and rabbit patties.
• Fish can be of low-fat varieties, boiled, baked or cooked in the form of cutlets. Seafood recommended.
• As a side dish, you can cook crumbly cereals, vegetables in any form. Beets, carrots, squash, cauliflower, pumpkin, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce are recommended, but rice, pasta, cabbage, potatoes and legumes should be limited.
• Loose porridge.
• Dairy products, including sour cream and milk (as part of dishes), mild cheese, cottage cheese, fermented milk drinks.
• You can eat eggs, but not more than 1 piece per day. Eggs can be used to steam omelette or soft-boiled eggs.
• Unsalted butter, refined vegetable oils – olive and corn.
• Snacks include vegetable caviar, sauerkraut, soaked herring, aspic.
• Sauces can be cooked in meat broth, tomato sauce is allowed, less often sour cream sauce.
• As spices, you can use cinnamon, vanilla, bay leaves, chopped fresh herbs such as dill, celery, parsley.
• Sweet dishes are available in the form of large quantities of fresh and baked fruits, such as plums, figs, melons, apricots, prunes. You can eat preserves, mousses, jams, marshmallows, marmalade.
• You can drink tea and coffee from substitutes, fresh juices, rosehip decoction, bran decoction.

What is prohibited

Foods that provoke fermentation processes and putrefaction in the intestines and negatively affect other digestive organs are excluded from the diet. These are fatty and fried foods, strong broths, hot spices, smoked meats, alcoholic beverages.

It is forbidden to eat fresh wheat bread, pastry and puff pastry, rice, semolina, noodles, viscous cereals, canned food, marinades, any carbonated drinks, fried or hard-boiled eggs.

Also excluded are spicy cheeses, sorrel, onions, spinach, turnips, radishes, radishes, garlic, chocolate and fatty pastry creams, cooking fats, blueberries, quince, dogwood, cocoa, coffee, hot sauces and condiments.

Modifications

Diet No. 3A is prescribed for chronic inflammatory bowel disease, accompanied by constipation. Nutrition should increase intestinal motility and reduce mucosal inflammation.

Vegetables rich in fiber and essential oils are completely prohibited – these are onions, garlic, turnips, radishes, cabbage, spinach.Also prohibited are spicy and salty foods, fried foods, canned vegetables and meat, smoked meats, fatty meat and fish, margarine and other combined fats, cold foods and drinks.

Diet table number 3B is indicated for constipation with no intestinal inflammation, with intestinal dyskinesia and colitis. This type of diet is high in plant fiber.

Only fatty meats, blueberries, chocolate and sweets, strong tea, coffee and soda curd are prohibited.

See also:

Diet 3 table, what is possible, what is not – table and menu

Let’s study nutritional therapy for constipation. The focus of attention is the 3 table diet, do’s and don’ts, a table with a list of products and menus for the week, which allow you to improve the work of the intestines every day.

The Pevzner 3-table diet is specially designed for the treatment of constipation (the medical name for constipation). Other conditions are also indications for it: hemorrhoids, rectal fissures and some chronic intestinal pathologies.

An extremely important stage of food processing is regular and sufficient cleansing of the body from its remnants. Unfortunately, we perceive bowel emptying as too delicate topic.

The consequences are dire. People can take occasional laxatives for months, try folk remedies – just not to go to the doctor with the words “I have constipation.”

It is impossible to postpone a doctor’s consultation!

Constipation is a very common problem. But in the early stages, you can not resort to laxatives, adjusting the work of the intestines only with nutrition.Moreover! A diet for constipation is important even when the problem has grown into a chronic one and you cannot do without medication. Therefore, it is so useful to learn how to eat for constipation.

Assess your condition using the memo below and read the article carefully. Here you will find all “Do’s and Don’ts” for the daily menu.

Do you have constipation, the table with the Bristol scale of the form of feces will answer

Are you visiting for the table for the Diet 3 table?

Click point number 2 – and a convenient table is in front of your eyes.Allowed / not allowed for all food groups.

Take a moment to comment. Our readers were interested in diet for constipation in children and how to implement a healing menu at work. They also shared their successful experience with osteopathy for constipation.

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Principles of the 3rd table diet for constipation

Let’s figure out how the body works while observing the principles of the 3rd table diet for constipation. What can and can not be done, and what benefits we get by observing the medical menu.

We eat fractionally – 4-5 times a day: 3 main meals, 1-2 snacks.

This ensures a regular flow of bile, and the pancreas produces enough enzymes for every meal.

We exclude heavy and exotic dishes.

By this we insure the digestive system from overload in the process of assimilating unfamiliar food. Allergies recede, drowsiness, flatulence and heaviness in the stomach after eating go away.

Remove empty kilocalories from the menu.

Bread, fast food, alcohol, etc. The list of “calorie bombs” with extremely low nutritional value is known to most people. By removing them from the diet in favor of healthy foods, we stabilize all types of metabolism, increase the intake of nutrients, reduce the false feeling of hunger, harmonize peristalsis, and even remove signs of fatigue and memory loss due to an improper diet.

We increase the amount of fiber.

Dietary fiber is effective peristalsis, healthy intestinal microflora and strong immunity.And the sorption properties of fiber inhibit the absorption of potentially harmful substances.

In the table – the writing of bran for a diet 3 table for constipation.

Here are 2 of our favorite supplements for the 3 Table Diet for Every Day. They can and should be added to the menu.

Psyllium – the best product with soluble fiber

Drink more water: this is important on any diet, especially with constipation.

At least 1.2-1.5 liters of clean water per day. Water works in tandem with fiber, facilitating the movement of the food bolus through the intestines and the absorption of nutrients.

We exclude or severely restrict products that are attached.

Although an individual favorable reaction cannot be ruled out, the average list of fixing products is useful for everyone to know. We will give it after the table.

Diet 3: food table is allowed / not allowed

Details of what is allowed and what is not allowed for the 3 table diet are in the table below.

Can be on a 3 table diet	Food and dishes	Do not when constipated
Wheat, rye bread, with bran, yesterday’s, crispy cereal bread with the addition of bran, dry biscuits.	Bread and bakery products	Fresh bread, butter, yeast and puff pastry, pies, pastries, pancakes.
Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, soufflé, pudding.	Cereals, legumes, pasta	Pasta, semolina, rice, legumes (beans, peas, lentils).
Vegetarian, vegetable or cereal puree soups. Second broth.	First courses	Soups with milk and kvass, incl. okroshka, strong meat, fish or chicken broths.
Low-fat and moderately fatty beef, veal, chicken, turkey, rabbit boiled, as well as minced dishes from them (cutlets, meatballs, soufflé).	Meat, meat products and dishes	All types of sausages, sausages, small sausages, fatty pork and lamb, goose, duck, canned meat, dumplings.
Herring, anchovies, hake, pollock, flounder, cod, sea bass, hake, pink salmon, trout, chum salmon = all small fish, baked, boiled in water or steamed (in chunks, cutlets, meatballs).Seaweed. Squid, shrimp.	Fish and seafood	All canned fish, fried fish, sturgeon, beluga, stellate sturgeon, smoked fish.
Vegetable purees, stews, cutlets (from cauliflower, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets). Canned green peas, corn. Fresh vegetable salads up to 600-800 g per day.	Vegetables and dishes from them	Radish, mushrooms, raw onions and garlic. In case of severe flatulence, limit: cabbage, radish, radish.
Baked apples: 2 pcs / day, dried fruit compotes. Raw apples, plums, apricots, strawberries, currants, cherries. Bananas 2-3 pcs / week.	Fruits and berries	Melon, watermelon, gooseberry, dogwood, blueberry.
Milk – only in dishes (up to 50 g), sour cream up to 20% fat (30 g), sour milk on live sourdough up to 400 g per day (kefir, yogurt), granular cottage cheese, not sour 5-9% fat …	Milk and fermented milk products	Milk, cream, shop ice cream, fat sour cream, curd mass, curds.
Butter up to 20 g per day, vegetable oils without refining, 30-35 g per day, mild cheese 30-40 g 2 r / week.	Fats	Pork fat, lamb and beef fat, mayonnaise.
Honey, jam, marshmallow, marshmallow, marmalade. Dried fruits – prunes, figs, dried apricots.	Sweets	Chocolate, halva, cream cakes, nougat.
Soft-boiled, steamed omelet (1-2 eggs per day).	Eggs	Fried eggs.
Freshly squeezed juices with pulp (apple, carrot, pumpkin, berries).	Juices	Canned juices.
Weak green tea, still mineral water (composition – as prescribed by a doctor), tea with fennel. Rosehip decoction.	Drinks	Cocoa, strong tea and coffee, cocoa, alcohol, kvass, carbonated water, jelly.

Drinking on the menu for constipation is a must!

Diet 3 table works effectively with an abundant drinking regime.

At least 1.2-1.5 liters of clean water per day (!) – we filled the bottle in the morning and drink during the day. This makes it easier to drink the right amount.

How to relate to fixing products in the menu

Among the “products that fix” are healthy fruits and berries, rich in acids (grapes, blueberries, dogwood, gooseberries), whole milk, green bananas, strong black tea, coffee, cocoa.

Whether and how to use them is a delicate question. Rely on the reaction of the body and on the time of taking the product.For example, coffee or tea can easily fit into the diet. Make the drink your morning choleretic on an empty stomach.

Choose food choleretic – in the article “How to improve bowel function with constipation.”

We also explained the causes and mechanisms of constipation and described in detail the treatment of constipation at home. You can choose the most effective changes in the menu and lifestyle.

If constipation haunts you not the first week,

forget about food and diet! Consult a gastroenterologist or therapist.You can skip a serious illness by ignoring constipation.

Diet menu 3 tables for a week by days

Evaluate how varied the diet table 3 can be. Any person can form a menu for a week for every day. All recipes from available and delicious products are in the tables below.

3 No. 2

90 458 Dinner

Day №1	Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Boiled buckwheat, green tea, dried figs (2 pcs)
2nd breakfast	Cottage cheese	9 sour cream	Lunch	Borscht without meat, steamed chicken cutlet, dried fruit compote
Afternoon snack	Kefir from live sourdough
Dinner	Vegetable salad, mashed potatoes
Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Porridge with dried fruits, vegetable salad, fermented baked milk
2nd breakfast	Fruit puree (apples, plums)
8 Lunch , salad with tuna and vegetables
Afternoon snack	Unleavened bread with bran, kefir
Buckwheat porridge, fish cutlets, herbal tea

omelette

Day # 3	Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Cauliflower and broccoli salad	2nd breakfast	Apple and dried fruit compote, honey
Lunch	Salad with beets, soup with chicken steamed cutlets, vegetable salad with prunes, compote

with sour cream

Day # 4	Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Juice with pulp (carrot, pear, apple), cottage cheese
2nd breakfast	Carrot and apple salad
Lunch	Salad of beets, prunes and nuts, vegetable soup, fish steamed
Afternoon snack	Ryazhenka, almonds (3-5 pcs.)
Dinner	Milk, vegetable puree, bread

, drinking yogurt

Day №5	Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Kefir and cheese salad with carrots
2nd breakfast	Fresh fruits from the permitted list
Lunch	Borsch, oven-baked pike, a couple of cucumbers
Afternoon snack	Sugar-free	Dinner	Vegetable stew with meat and pumpkin, rosehip broth

Day №6	Menu table 3 table
Breakfast	Buckwheat salad 908 908 cucumber breakfast 9045	Homemade curd mass with fruits
Lunch	Vegetable soup, Greek salad, chicken g steamed ore
Afternoon snack	Fruit puree, 2-3 walnuts
Dinner	Green tea, oven baked pumpkin with sweet sauce

Table

menu 3 table Breakfast Omelet with vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes), bread, kefir 2nd breakfast Carrot salad with nuts and sour cream Lunch

oven, vegetable soup, a couple of raw vegetables Afternoon snack Orange or a couple of apples, fermented baked milk Dinner Stewed cabbage with meat, tea, berry jelly

recipes for each table 3 Tasty recipes day

Here are recipes for the menu for every day as part of the 3 table diet.Dishes are budgetary and healthy.

Boiled beets with prunes and nuts

Grind the sweet root vegetable on a grater. Steam prunes with boiling water for 10 minutes, rinse in running water and cut into pieces. Coarsely crush the nuts.

Combine the ingredients and season with olive oil in half with lemon juice.

You can add an apple, raw pumpkin, carrots, various cabbage to the recipe for every day. Simple vegetables will decorate the table in a new way, quickly and appetizing.

Delicious soups with lentils are perfect for Diet 3 table. Valuable fats for bile outflow and fiber from beans can always be included in the medical menu.

For a constipation diet, do not put potatoes in lentil soup and choose recipes with a lot of vegetables.

Smoothie with orange, figs and kefir

Half a large orange, 3-4 pieces of dried figs, 150 ml of kefir. Here – any bran and a little cottage cheese. You can take sugar-free yogurt, but you cannot replace sour milk with whole milk.

Baked apples with bran sauce

Bake as usual, removing the center. Fill with bran sauce. Twist thick yogurt or fermented milk curd, some dates and bran in a blender. Add a handful of chopped nuts and send the mass into the baked fruit cavity. An excellent dessert for the 3 table diet for constipation!

Porridge with kefir with oatmeal and prunes

Ingredients:

• Kefir (yogurt can be used) – 250-300 ml
• Prunes – 8 pcs.
• Oatmeal – 1-2 tbsp. spoons
• Flaxseed (grind in a coffee grinder) – 1-2 teaspoons
• Cocoa – 1 teaspoon

In the evening, soak prunes in boiling water (10 minutes), rinse and chop finely. Add flakes, sliced ​​dried fruits, crushed flax seed, cocoa powder to kefir, mix and put a healthy breakfast in the refrigerator until morning.

For lovers of video format – a story about the benefits of bran in the menu for constipation. To reiterate, psyllium and apple pectin work perfectly for gut health in our daily diet.

We hope our story of what a 3-table diet is, what is possible, what is not, a table of foods with details of use and menus for the week will be useful to you on your way to good digestion and good health.

Diet for constipation in a child | Mamology

Constipation is a fairly common problem among children of all ages, from infants to adolescents.

One of the main causes of constipation in a child is improper or inappropriate nutrition.If the child has constipation, then in order to normalize the baby’s stool, it is necessary to develop the habit of emptying the intestines at the same time, and also make the correct diet.

When composing a diet for a child who suffers from constipation, it is necessary to include in the diet foods that increase the volume of feces and improve intestinal motility, foods that have an enveloping effect and help food slide well into the lower sections, foods rich in potassium, necessary for good the work of the intestinal muscles, as well as fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria, which contribute to the development of beneficial intestinal microflora.

Parents need to carefully review the baby’s diet and exclude foods that may contribute to constipation.

Foods that can interfere with a child’s bowel movement include dried blueberries, viscous foods, rice and semolina, foods that are too hot, and drinks such as cocoa and strong tea.

Buns, fresh bread and other products made from dough made from white wheat flour, including dumplings, dumplings, yeast pies, can also contribute to constipation.

In the fight against constipation, bran bread, buckwheat, oatmeal, raw vegetables and fruits, dried fruits, especially prunes, dried apricots and apricots are very helpful.

From vegetables and fruits for constipation it is necessary to eat carrots, pumpkin, beets, zucchini, cauliflower, herbs, baked apples.

Also, in case of constipation, you need to include in the diet low-fat varieties of meat and fish, dairy products, sour cream, jelly and fruit and berry compotes.

Of dairy products, fermented milk products containing biocultures, daily kefir, fermented baked milk and yogurt are best suited.

Since the diet for constipation in a child requires the restriction of sweets and flour, instead of sweets, you can prepare a healthy and tasty dessert from dried fruits for your child.

When composing a diet for a child with constipation, it is necessary to try to increase the amount of ballast substances in the diet , which will swell in the intestines, and contribute to an increase in the volume of feces. Such substances include fiber, pectin, seaweed, cellulose, bran.

If, with constipation, a child has bloating, then in his diet it is necessary to exclude foods that are rich in dietary fiber.

It is very important, when following a diet, to exclude foods that contribute to increased gas production . These include cabbage, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, pears, lingonberries, spinach, sorrel, apple and grape juice.

It is very important for a child’s constipation diet to observe the optimal drinking regimen and make sure that the child drinks enough fluids throughout the day. Mineral water without gas, juice with pulp, dried fruit compote, herbal tea are best suited for drinking.

If a child has a pronounced painful contraction of the intestines, then he should not be given coarse fiber in food. All fruits and vegetables should be given to the baby without the skin. Juices with pulp, mashed potatoes, fermented milk products, lean boiled meat and fish, honey, jam, jams can also help such a child very well.

For infants who are on artificial feeding, it is necessary to select a therapeutic mixture for constipation in a child .

If the baby is breastfed, then in this case, the nursing mother needs to eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as fermented milk products.

The introduction of complementary foods to a child with constipation is best started with one-component vegetable puree and pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, beets are well suited for this.

It is impossible to choose one common diet for all children, since it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the baby’s organism and his state of health.

It is very important to remember that long-term constipation in a child is a reason for immediate medical attention, because in such cases, diet alone is not enough.

Video: HOW TO EAT TO AVOID CONSTIPATION – ADVICE OF A MEDICAL SCIENCE CANDIDATE

Diet for constipation in children

Constipation is a very common and unpleasant problem for a child at one time or another. most parents. The causes of constipation can be very different: it is heredity, and a large loss of fluid in the body, and too hasty potty training, and a change in climatic conditions, and a sedentary lifestyle, and even painful cracks in the anus.But the main reason is, of course, improper nutrition, non-compliance with a rational diet for the child. Meanwhile, the stable work of his intestines also depends on what foods the baby eats.

That is why the treatment of constipation is primarily associated with a change in the principles of nutrition, with a new approach to the daily diet. For a child under one year old who eats breast milk, the daily bowel rate is , bowel movements at least once or twice . And the most important thing is the consistency of the stool: it should be soft, slightly liquid.In a baby breastfed on demand (that is, he gets milk as soon as the need arises), constipation is extremely rare. The main thing for the mother is to make sure that at each feeding the baby empties the breast completely, sucking out not only the thinner “front” milk, but also the thicker “back” milk: it contains substances that prevent constipation. Of course, the diet of a nursing mother is also important: it should contain enough fiber .

With a bottle-fed baby, the situation is a little more complicated. Constipation can occur both when the baby does not consume enough liquid , and when the crumbs are transferred to a new mixture. Make sure your child gets as much fluid as he needs. To restore the work of the intestines, you can give him half a teaspoon of boiled and thoroughly pounded prunes into a homogeneous gruel. From six months, you can also introduce a little apple or plum juice diluted with water into the menu to prevent constipation. Do not rush with medications – if you still, having tried all the other remedies, decide to give a laxative, be sure to consult your doctor.

The diet for constipation in children over one year of age should include enough plant foods rich in fiber to improve food digestion. These are a variety of vegetable soups, and cereal porridges, and spinach, and corn, and dried fruits (prunes, figs, dried apricots, pitted raisins). It is better to give bread already slightly stale (or dry fresh bread in a toaster or oven), it is better if it contains bran, various cereals with coarse fibers – now the choice of such products in stores is quite large.Rye yeast-free bread with such additives stimulates intestinal motility, and in addition, helps to remove toxins and toxins from the body, is rich in B vitamins. Bran can also be added to porridge, soup, yogurt, juice, kefir, yogurt.

Good prevention of constipation is also the inclusion in the child’s diet of foods rich in potassium , which is necessary for the good functioning of the intestinal muscles. These are all the same dried fruits (it is advisable to find on sale high-quality dried apricots and prunes, not processed when drying with sulfur, which often causes allergies), as well as young potatoes baked with skin, bananas, oatmeal, barley, carrots, pumpkin, beets, zucchini, broccoli.It is necessary that the child’s daily diet consists of 50-60 percent of various vegetables and fruits, both fresh and cooked.

Foods that make bowel movements difficult should of course be limited to as much as possible. A diet for constipation in children should not include baked goods, white wheat flour products (yeast pies), as well as dumplings, dumplings. Slow down the peristalsis of cocoa, strong tea. It is better at this time to switch to dried fruit compotes, to give a little mineral water without gas (on an empty stomach).