Constipation happens when you have difficulty in passing stool or when you have less than three bowel movements per week. When you’re suffering from constipation, the last thing you want is to eat something that will make it worse. One of the best ways to relieve constipation is to avoid certain foods that may slow digestion and harden your stool. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know which foods make constipation worse. There are many foods in our diet that wreak havoc on the digestive system. It’s good to know the foods that you should avoid if you’re constipated to prevent unnecessary agony. Here are some.
-
Dairy Products
Dairy products can promote constipation, especially in children. This is due to lactose and other compounds in dairy that can cause allergic reactions such as an upset stomach. A study found that reducing lactose and fructose intake relieves the severity of chronic constipation. Additionally, at that age, many children have not yet developed the ability to digest beta-casein protein in milk.
-
Alcohol
When you’re suffering from constipation, you need lots of water to soften your stool and help you pass it. Therefore, drinking alcohol is counterproductive since it’s a dehydrating substance. Alcohol makes it difficult for your body to hang onto water causing more issues in the bathroom. Try to avoid drinking alcohol and if you must, make sure you drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Mistakes To Avoid When You’re Dehydrated
-
Unripe Bananas
Unripe bananas are actually used to treat diarrhoea since they contain high levels of resistant starch which is binding. Therefore, these are some of the worst foods to eat when you have constipation. Due to this binding effect, they don’t offer constipation relief. They, instead, harden your stool and make it more difficult to pass stool.
-
Refined Carbs
Refined carbs, such as white bread and white rice, have most of their nutrition and fibre taken out which is essential in promoting healthy bowel movements. They are referred to as bad carbs due to their lack of nutritional value and difficulty digesting, leading to an array of health problems. Eating refined carbs when you have constipation will only contribute to your problems.
-
Fried Foods
No one likes to hear it but it’s common knowledge that fried foods are some of the hardest foods to digest. French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts may taste delicious but they’re so bad for the digestive system, especially for older adults. This is because saturated fats found in fried foods are hard to break down, which slows digestion and can lead to slow digestion constipation.
-
Eggs
Eggs are a good source of proteins but they lack fiber which is needed for digestion. Additionally, many people have an allergy towards eggs which can worsen their stomach issue. For constipation relief, try to stay away from eggs and if you must eat them, you should add foods that are rich in fibre to the mix such as spinach and avocado. This should aid in relieving your constipation without having to do away with eggs.
-
Sugary Foods
Foods that contain a lot of sugar such as cupcakes and chocolate should be avoided if you have constipation. Refined sugars are high in fat and low in fiber which is a big no when you need something to soften your stool. Sweets are only good to satisfy your cravings and not to boost your nutritional requirements. You can alternatively eat fruits which contain both sugar and fibre such as watermelon, orange and mangoes. Signs You’re Eating Too Much Sugar
check out
Natural Remedies For Constipation
