how do i keep from being constipated?

Question

what foods provide relief without having to take medicine for it?

Answer 1

anything with fiber helps constipation, so like whole grains, special cereals, broccoli, carrots, stuff like that...fiber's somewhat difficult to get a lot of in your diet though, so if the foods dont help medicine can...or at least vitamins... anyway hope this helps!

Answer 2

Since you posted this under pain management, I am wondering if you are having "issues" from medications you are taking. If so the answer/treatment is totally different from someone who is just naturally (so to speak lol) having that problem.

Believe me I learned this the hard way. I was taking natural fiber pills to avoid constipation from pain medication and the reverse happened. I won't bore you with long explaination, plus I don't want to get it wrong since it was awhile ago I learned this w/a complicated explaination, but bottom line is to NEVER combine narcotics/pain meds with fiber suppliments!!! You will get the problem you are trying to avoid.

But if you EAT/drink a high fiber diet, and all the natural foods that help (figs are my personal fav, and less disgusting than many lol), things usually stay ok. One more thing my MD explained. It's not that you need a laxative, unless you let it become a problem. What the medication does is make it, well let's just say an occassional stool softener is what will work if the diet doesn't. The key is to not take anything regularly, as your body then requires it.

Answer 3

Certainly eating right helps and it seems as we are all a little different it takes different things to work. I have the constipation problem but there are two things that work well for me. Either eating an apple banana smoothie every day or my #1 method Milled Flax Seed , I use Hodgsons Mill flax seed. I put it on salads, baked beans or whatever I want usually at dinner time. 1-2 tsps seems to be enough for me to keep those bowels moving but sometimes I use more. I buy mine at walmart only a couple of bucks.

Answer 4

Here's what you need to do to help with constipation:

1. Drink enough fluids (2-4 extra glasses of water a day). If you don't like to drink water, try Crystal Light. I think it's FANTASTIC!!

2. Add high-fiber foods such as apricots, peaches, pears, raisins, figs, prunes, and vegetables such as dried beans or peas, broccoli, cauliflower

3. Increase whole-grain foods such as bran flakes, bran muffins, graham crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread.

4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine b/c those increase dehydration.

5. I would recommend taking a stool softener (before I would EVER take a laxative). Just remember that taking laxatives can make you dependent on them and they can cause your electrolytes to become imbalanced. They also only temporarily solve the problem. If you feel like you NEED to take a laxative, I would recommend Milk of Magnesia.

6. Exercise (even if it's only walking)

Good luck to you!!

Answer 5

One of the best things available in supermarkets and health food stores for a very small cost called Psyllium husks! sprinkle a teaspoon on our cereal in the morning and add to juices gravies sauces etc with no change to their taste, the way it works is, In your colon, psyllium activates peristaltic action and helps to clean your colon of any stagnation that has occurred there. By adding moisture to dry hard fecal matter, psyllium helps to move fecal matter through your colon. As psyllium seeds bulk up in your colon, they push against your colon walls stimulating peristaltic action. The soluble fibre in psyllium provides food for good bacteria, which helps them to multiply, also as a bonus it is claimed to be effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels in those who consume it too,I have recommended this to many people who have all found it to have helped.however If you have asthma, do not take or use psyllium. Some people with asthma have had allergic reactions to psyllium and the powder from psyllium may? cause an asthma attack.

Answer 6

Warm water 1 glass + 1/2 lemon if suits after you wake up.
Citrus fruits for breakfast if poor appetite.
A glass of milk if acidity. Avoid spicy food.
For lunch and dinner choose green vegitables and salads preferably.
Hunger is the best medicine and doctor too! Don't eat without hunger.

Answer 7

I have had this problem most of my life. I started taking Metamucil fiber capsules at night before bed. They work great and also my Doctor said it helps prevent colon cancer. I find the capsules are easier than the drink, but both work wonders. Hope this helps you.

Answer 8

Don't fall for the old "anything with fiber works" line.

If you have too much insoluble fiber in your diet, you will end up even more constipated.

Lots of water, fruits and juice.
Prunes and prune juice are also good.

Answer 9

Eat more fruits like banana, papaya and drink a lots of warm water

Answer 10

Increase fiber and fluid intake.

Beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals...are good sources of fiber.