Feeling constipated? Well, there are several healthy foods that help you poop and relax. Constipation can cause severe discomfort and may also lead to several health issues.
It's basically a problem that leads to a reduction in bowel movements, leading to difficulty in passing stools. Constipation is a common problem that can happen to anyone at any age, but the risk increases with age.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
One of the most common symptoms of constipation is having fewer than three poops per week, but there are other symptoms too. These include:
- Lumpy or hard stools
- Loss of appetite due to a sense of fullness
- Poops that look like small stones
- Painful bowel movements
- Bloating
While some common remedies for constipation include stool softeners, fiber supplements, and laxatives, adding certain foods to your diet can be useful as well. Yes, there are foods that make you poop immediately. On that note, below we have listed some effective foods that will help you poop without any difficulty or pain.
Amazing foods that help you poop
Here are a few:
#1 Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are one of the most effective foods that help you poop. That's because they contain lots of fiber that helps increase your regularity.
Additionally, they're also loaded with a host of minerals and vitamins that are super beneficial for overall health. Approximately 150 grams of sweet potato consists of four grams of fiber, which is mostly insoluble and also includes lignin, pectin, and cellulose.
#2 Prune
Prunes or dried plums are also among the best foods that help you poop. Often used as a natural laxative, prunes improve bowel movements and help relieve constipation by drawing water into the intestine and regulating bowel movement.
They're loaded with fiber, potassium, and vitamin A and are a healthy addition to your diet. In addition to promoting bowel movement, prunes also contain antioxidants that help reduce risk of several chronic illnesses while also preventing osteoporosis.
You can eat them dried or blend them into juice. Studies suggest that prunes can help enhance stool frequency, soften stools, and improve consistency too.
#3 Oatmeal
Oatmeal is also one of the most effective foods that help you poop. It offers a good source of fiber, plus the oats absorb water, helping with proper digestion and improving gut health.
Studies suggest that oatmeal also helps lower bad cholesterol and offers essential nutrients, including iron, complex carbohydrates, calcium, and protein.
#4 Pulses
Lentils, beans, and other pulses are also good foods that help you poop. They're all high in fiber that helps regulate bowel movement.
Studies have shown that 100 grams of cooked pulses can give you 26% of the daily fiber intake the body needs. Additionally, they also contain a good amount of other nutrients that help relieve constipation. That includes folate, potassium, vitamin B6, zinc, and more.
Beans, meanwhile, are high in fiber as well. They can help you maintain regularity and improve digestive health. Navy beans, in particular, have the highest amount of fiber and must be added to your diet, especially if you face constipation regularly.
#5 Yogurt
Yogurt is a probiotic-rich food and among the best foods that help you poop. It works wonders on gut health, helps relieve symptoms of constipation, and improves regularity.
Yogurt is loaded with lactic acid and bifidobacterial, both of which are great ingredients to ease digestion. Yogurt can prevent irritable bowel syndrome problems too.
These were some of the most effective foods that help you poop easily. Though over-the-counter medications and supplements can help relieve constipation, including fiber-rich foods such as the aforementioned ones can ease your condition once and for all.
Moreover, it's also important to avoid drinks and foods that make you constipated, including alcohol, processed grains, fast foods, gluten-based foods, and dairy (except for yogurt).