Food plays a key role in the state of our bowel movements. Some foods keep us regular – but some foods can cause diarrhea or constipation. When you’re constipated, you can’t go or you’re straining to have a bowel movement. And, unfortunately, the older we get, the more likely we are to suffer from constipation.
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Constipation can result from many things. Primarily, slow motility paired with excessive fluid can have you clogged up for days. Worse yet, constipation isn’t solely the lack of a bowel movement, it is usually accompanied by bloating, stomach pains, and even built-up gas. In a nutshell, it makes you feel sluggish.
Here is a list of foods you should avoid if you want to prevent constipation.
Foods that lead to constipation
Fast food: Just because it’s fast to make and eat, doesn’t mean it’s fast to come out. Eating fast food regularly can have you seriously backed up. These types of food are low in fiber and high in fat, meaning they can take much longer to exit your system. Furthermore, they’re high in sodium, which prevents water from pushing through.
Dairy: Not all dairy products will leave you constipated, just those that contain immunoglobin G – such as cheese, ice cream, and milk. On the other hand, kefir and yogurt can promote regularity, because they contain probiotics. Furthermore, if you have a lactose intolerance, you will also find that dairy promotes diarrhea rather than constipation.
Processed baked goods: Cookies and cupcakes are delicious, but the processed pastry can have you missing the bathroom. These treats are high in fat and low in fiber and liquid, meaning they won’t go through very smoothly.
Candy: Sugar on its own does not promote constipation, but sugary treats that are low in fiber and other nutrients can bring about constipation – especially, when you’re giving in to your sweet tooth demands too much.
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Bananas: Ripe bananas can actually aid in regularity, but green bananas contain higher levels of starch and tannins, which not only make them bitter, but cause constipation as well.
The Paleo: The Paleo diet – the way of eating mimicking our cavemen ancestors – has taken off quite a bit as of late. This style of eating removes whole grains and legumes while increasing meat intake, which can leave you constipated.
If you find yourself visiting the bathroom less often, take a look at your diet to see if any of the above foods may be causing the trouble.
