If you need to help get things moving, you have a variety of delicious high-fibre foods and snacks to pick from. However, it could be worth looking at what you’re already eating, as these surprising suspects could be behind why you’re getting constipated.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Milk tends to be quite high in fat, which can slow down the digestion process. And, thanks to all that lactose, milk (and cheese, unfortunately) can also cause excess gas and upset stomach; if you’re a little backed up, cut down on your daily dairy to see if it makes a difference.

RED MEAT

Again, all that fat present in red meat kicks your digestive system into slow-mo effect, while its protein fibres aren’t that easy for our bodies to process either. Try going meat free just once a week, and swapping in more fish and lean meat instead.

RELATED: 5 Flavourful Fish Dishes For Busy Weeknights

BANANAS

Green ones, anyway. Unripe bananas are quite high in starch, which really doesn’t help any existing constipation problems you may be having. Topping your cereal with fresh berries instead will up your dietary fibre.

CAFFEINE

Yes, believe it or not, overdoing it on the coffee can actually dehydrate you, which in turn leads to constipation. Try cutting back on your java and upping your water intake to keep that hydration up.

CHOCOLATE

In more upsetting news, your daily chocolate fix could also be doing you no favours. Chocolate is a double-whammy; it can contain caffeine, which dehydrates, and is also high in fat, slowing down digestion again. If you’re peckish, reach for 30 g of nuts, which are full of protein and high in fibre.

RELATED: 5 Reasons To Eat More Nuts Now

Text: The Australian Women’s Weekly/Bauer