Use Proper Diet to Avoid Constipation
It is unfortunate, but most people think that laxatives are the most effective means of dealing with constipation. And yes, laxatives will generally cause the colon to pass the blocked stool and restore normal bowel function. However, laxatives can be habit forming and cause your body to stop having natural bowl movements on its own. Plus, when you think about it, laxatives are what you use to treat constipation—not avoid it. Using a proper diet to avoid constipation is the best means of keeping this painful condition at bay and your bowels happy.
Use High Fiber Diet to Avoid Constipation
So why would you use a high fiber diet to avoid constipation? Fiber is a rather unique substance because it essentially emerges from the digestion process unaffected. This allows it to retain water which in turn combines with stool and softens it. A softer stool means less straining and effort when having a bowel movement.
People also use a high fiber diet to avoid constipation because it adds bulk to stool as well. This allows the digestive system to push waste through to the rectum easier. That means that you can expect to retain regular bowel movements and that is a big reason why people use a high fiber diet to avoid constipation.
Fruits and vegetables should be used in your diet to avoid constipation because they are great sources of fiber. Fruits such as apricots, apples, and even prunes are all rich in dietary fiber but you must eat the skins as well because that is where most of the vital fiber is located.
Whole grain breads are another great source of fiber and should be used in your diet to avoid constipation. Cereals made from whole grains are equally beneficial to your body and constitution. Some other vegetables rich in fiber include: spinach, corn, kidney and pinto beans, and barley.
If it is impractical for you to naturally consume fiber as part of your diet to avoid constipation, there are supplements available. In some cases, the supplements are actually superior to natural sources of fiber. This is because the supplements can include some forms of fiber that the body cannot naturally process from actual food. However, where possible you should try to include as many natural sources of fiber in your diet to avoid constipation.
No diet to avoid constipation is complete unless it includes plenty of water. That’s right, good old H2O! Water isn’t just important because it helps soften the stool and makes bowel movements easier. Water is actually a natural purifier for you body and will remove toxins as it passes through the body—including in the colon and intestines. Keeping the bowels as clean as possible will help prevent blockages and the constipation that blockages cause.
Any diet to avoid constipation that is rich in fiber will help the body have consistent bowel movements. Plus, by drinking plenty of water (1/2 ounce for every pound of body weight), you will keep your stool soft and the bowels cleaned. Every so often, you may still need a colon cleansing to remove any compacted feces or waste that sometimes gets trapped in your bowels. Be certain to choose a colon cleanser that uses only natural ingredients because chemicals can cause unwanted side effects. But, by cleansing your colon and intestines every few months and by maintaining your diet to avoid constipation, you should have regular bowel movements and no worries!
