Avoiding Constipation – Top 12 Foods To Avoid
It has become very normal for people to go a day or as far as 3 to 4 days without visiting the white house.
No doubt now-a-days constipation is becoming a growing concern due to the changing food habits and the environment and lifestyle of most people.
What is constipation?
Constipation is infrequent bowel movements with passing of very hard, dry stools. It can be a very stressful process and may require enemas, suppositories, or laxatives to regulate normal bowel movements. Constipation can be considered as a symptom rather than a disease and can affect people of any age group.
RELATED: Healthy Habits to Relieve Constipation
What Can Cause Constipation?
Less fibre intake
Less water intake
Few medications (e.g. Iron pills, calcium supplements, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihistamines, and diuretics)
Hypothyroidism
Parkinson’s disease
Colon cancer
Pregnancy
Less physical activity
Depression
Eating disorders
12 Foods You Should Skip to Avoid Constipation
Diet changes can bring about a great difference in the health of your intestines and digestive system. Now here are 12 foods that you should definitely avoid if you are troubled with the problem of constipation.
1. Bananas
Depending on the ripeness, bananas can be a reason for constipation as well as for providing relief from it. Green or unripe bananas contain large amount of starch which is difficult for the body to digest and thus, cause constipation. (14 Good Reasons Why You Should Eat Banana)
2. Caffeine
Consumption of high amount of caffeine especially when the body feels dehydrated tends to cause constipation.
ALSO READ: Negative Effects of Caffeine on Health
3. Fast Foods
Fast foods like chips, pasta, fries, onion rings, frozen dinners, and hamburgers are processed foods containing no natural fibre content in them. Lack of fibre makes it difficult for the body to digest these food items easily thus leading to the problem of constipation.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate should be an absolute NO. The fat present in chocolate can make the digestion process slow thereby slowing down muscle contractions and thus, the movement of food in bowel. (Why Do I Get Stomach Pains After Eating?)
5. Dairy Products
Chocolate should be an absolute NO. The fat present in chocolate can make the digestion process slow thereby slowing down muscle contractions and thus, the movement of food in bowel. (Why Do I Get Stomach Pains After Eating?)
5. Dairy Products
Dairy products like cheese, ice-cream and milk if consumed in large amounts can cause constipation. The high content of fat, low fibre content and the presence of lactose in the dairy products can cause bloating and gas. People suffering from constipation should thus be careful about the consumption of dairy products.
6. Red Meat
Red meat contains high levels of fat and consists of hard protein fibres, both of which can make the work of digestive system tough. Red meat is also rich in iron which is the key constipation-causing element if present in more-than-required quantity in the body.
READ MORE: 3 Things That Happen When You Stop Eating Meat
7. Cookies
Cookies and other refined carbohydrates like cakes and pastries are found to be low in fluid and fibre content and high in fat which again is hard work for the digestive system and can cause constipation.
8. Iron-Rich Foods
High quantity of iron in the body can lead to constipation. Men especially should check their multivitamin supplements to know how much amount of iron these supplements contain. People suffering with the problem of constipation should avoid iron rich foods like liver, mussels, and oysters. (Getting Enough Iron on a Plant-Based Diet)
9. Antacids
Antacids are good against heartburns but few can lead to constipation, mainly those containing calcium and aluminium.
10. Alcoholic Beverages
Constipation can also be caused by intake of excessive amount of alcohol. One drink for women and two drinks for men is generally fine. ALSO: (21 Deadly Health Effects of Alcohol: Short & Long Terms)
Antacids are good against heartburns but few can lead to constipation, mainly those containing calcium and aluminium.
10. Alcoholic Beverages
Constipation can also be caused by intake of excessive amount of alcohol. One drink for women and two drinks for men is generally fine. ALSO: (21 Deadly Health Effects of Alcohol: Short & Long Terms)
11. Laxative overuse
If stimulant laxatives are used for a prolonged period of time in order to manage constipation, then it’s not a good sign because your body will then totally rely on them to function properly. They should not be taken for more than the prescribed time.
If stimulant laxatives are used for a prolonged period of time in order to manage constipation, then it’s not a good sign because your body will then totally rely on them to function properly. They should not be taken for more than the prescribed time.
12. Others
Foods containing white flour, white sugar, baking soda/ yeasted bread, white rice or baking powder should be consumed in limited amounts or else they can lead to digestive troubles.
Foods containing white flour, white sugar, baking soda/ yeasted bread, white rice or baking powder should be consumed in limited amounts or else they can lead to digestive troubles.
RELATED: 14 Constipation Home Remedies
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
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