5 Foods You Should Avoid When You Are Constipated
Constipation refers to the inability of the body to eliminate wastes resulting in hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.
This causes much discomfort not to mention the physical pain it brings. There are many factors that cause constipation. One of them is the lack of exercise.
Physical activity helps in improving the tone of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract which aids in regulating bowel movement. Another common cause of constipation is poor diet. While it is important to incorporate healthy food into the diet such as those that are rich in fiber, it is just as important to take note and be aware of the foods to avoid when constipated.
5 foods to avoid when you constipated
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Processed Food. Packaged and processed food can cause constipation because of the lack of fiber in this type of food. Generally, the fiber content has been stripped off during the processing. These foods include pizza, frozen dinners, canned goods, refined flour products, and other pre‑packaged food which oftentimes contain a considerable amount of preservatives.
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Dairy products. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, quark, and ice cream cause constipation because of their high saturated fat content but low fiber content. The problem with them is that the body does not digest them as quickly as it digests fibers and starch. This makes the food move slower through the colon (part of the large intestine) which eventually leads to being constipated.
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Food high in sugar content. Pastries, cookies, cakes, and pies fall into this category. These sugary products can aggravate constipation as they are low in fiber but high in sugar and fat making them more difficult to dissolve in the digestion process thus producing dry, hard stool.
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Red Meat. Pork and beef are mostly eaten because of its taste and protein content; however, it is hard to digest and places a strain on the digestive system as well as inhibiting proper elimination of wastes. They are also high in saturated fat but low in fiber.
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Alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration and inhibits digestion. This would make it harder for the stool to pass. Drinking water provides relief from the discomfort brought about by constipation. Water adds up bulk to the stool making for easier bowel movement. Therefore, it is important to increase water intake when constipated. It should be noted that the ever popular coffee and other caffeinated drinks such as soda also cause dehydration and must also be avoided.
The Key – A Healthy Lifestyle
Early intervention is the key for the management of constipation. We should always bear in mind that the best intervention may just be a lifestyle change. This can be done by incorporating exercise as well as increasing water intake into one’s daily activities.
Eating more fiber-rich food like fruits and vegetables and avoiding those that have high fat content (such as those stated above) can go a long way in preventing this condition to become more chronic. Investing in a proper diet will in the long run be less costly than suffering from the consequences of poor lifestyle choices.
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