The Best and Worst Food To Eat When You’re Constipated
A good nutrition is one of the prime factors that is considered when trying to keep a healthy lifestyle in the fast pace world that we are living in today. A well-balanced meal versus a not so well balanced meal oftentimes is the result of how regular or irregular our bodies will function in the disposal of unwanted substance.
As stated in an article appearing on the WebMD website, constipation stems from the lack of drinking enough water, consuming more fiber, participating in some type of exercise, and not responding to the urge to go to the bathroom.
When those times arrive and individuals find themselves in a condition where the body is challenged by constipation, their first instinct is to search the medicine cabinet or run to the nearest pharmacy or store to purchase some type of remedy to relieve the discomfort. Most never stop to think that the problem they are experiencing arises from not only what they have eaten, but also from what they are not eating.
When considering foods that aide in digestion, Home of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion suggest choosing a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables, and fruits because they are key components of a varied diet.
Listed below are some of the best foods to eat when you are constipated:
Grain Products: These foods are either whole or refined grains and are inclusive of but not limited to barley, flaxseed, buckwheat, oats, popcorn, brown rice, cornbread, grits, crackers, noodles, pretzels, etc.
Vegetables: Veggies are low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients. Among these foods are broccoli, sweet potato, spinach, carrots, kale, collard greens, legumes, corn, lima beans, cabbage greens, etc.
Fruits: Fruits can be categorized as simple, multiple, or aggregated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “The fruits you eat may be fresh, canned, frozen or dried and may be eaten whole, cut-up, or pureed. Examples include apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples, raisins, strawberries, tangerines, and 100% fruit juice.”3
The foods to eliminate from your diet when you are constipated are:
Starches: White bread, pizza dough, bagels, pancakes, white rice, noodles, white potatoes
Dairy products: cheese, milk, ice cream
Meat products: sausage, bacon, chicken, beef, pork
Sugar products: cake, cookies, pies, donuts, chocolate
Other foods: bananas, caffeine, processed foods
Establishing a healthier lifestyle is the best decision that one can make. Begin with a balanced nutritional diet, which will promote a sense of well-being and make those uncomfortable times occur less while making life more comfortable.
