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Beware Of These 10 Common Foods That Can Cause Constipation

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Beauty & Health

Beware Of These 10 Common Foods That Can Cause Constipation

by Camillia Dass  /   May 23, 2019

If you’re struggling with constipation, here are ten surprisingly common foods that might be causing it

common foods cause constipation
Photo: 123RF

If you’re reading this, you’re probably constipated and trying to figure out what you’re doing wrong. Thankfully, constipation usually has an easy fix.

Constipation is a condition where a person has a difficult time passing stools or when they just can’t seem to go at all for extended periods of time. It’s fairly common for a person to experience constipation at some point in their life but if you are experiencing it, it’s important to pay attention. Your body could be trying to tell you something.

Constipation could be a sign that you are not drinking enough water, that are being too inactive or even that you may be depressed.

In fact, studies have shown that around one-third of people who suffer with depression also experience constipation. It’s linked to the reduction of the quality of life.

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True enough, the bloating, straining and uncomfortable feelings associated with constipation all contribute to you feeling miserable.

However, there usually is an easy solution and the answer typically lies in your food. Take a look at some of the common foods you should be avoiding to maintain good gut health:

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/beware-common-foods-cause-constipation/
Beware Of These 10 Common Foods That Can Cause Constipation
1. Fried Food
image

Fried food may taste amazing and be super convenient but we all know how terrible they can be for our health. They clog our arteries and causes us to gain weight. However, fried food also contributes to constipation issues.

Fatty foods are very high in fat and low in fibre. This can slow down digestion.

Fried food also tends to have a lot of salt in them. Salt can lower the amount of water in your stool which can make it more difficult to remove them.

Photo: Unsplash
2. Unripe Bananas
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Ask anyone and they will probably say that bananas are a great fruit to help you conquer constipation. However, it’s all about the timing.

If you’re munching on unripe, green bananas, you could be contributing to your constipation problem. This is because unripe bananas have a lot of resistant starch in them. Resistant starch is difficult for the body to digest and this can make passing stools more difficult.

So next time you reach for a banana, make sure it is yellow.

Photo: Unsplash
3. Alcohol
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Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it affects your kidneys by stopping the production of a hormone called vasopressin. This hormone tells your kidneys to reabsorb water rather than to get rid of it through your bladder. This is why you have to pee more when you drink.

Unfortunately, this also can dehydrate you pretty badly which in turn slows down your digestion. This makes your stool drier and harder to pass.

To combat dehydration, make sure you are drinking water in between your glasses of alcohol.

READ MORE:
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Photo: Unsplash
4. Dairy
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Diary products contain lactose which can cause diarrhoea in people with lactose intolerance. However, for some people, dairy products such as cheese, milk, ice cream and yogurt can also cause constipation.

When consumed in high quantities, dairy products can make it harder for you relieve yourself.

However, don’t worry. You don’t need to stop dairy products cold turkey. Rather, opt for a plant-based milk such as almond milk (which is also more environmentally friendly) or try yogurt with probiotics. This will help improve your overall gut health.

Photo: Unsplash
5. Red Meat
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Red meat is notoriously known for being bad for your health as well as for the environment. However, we still consume beef, pork and lamb on an almost daily basis.

Red meat, however, is high in fat and has tough proteins in them. This can make it difficult for your digestive system to break them down. Red meat is also rich in iron which can cause constipation.

If you want to avoid hard stools, consider eliminating them from your diet.

Photo: Unsplash
6. Gluten
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Gluten is a protein which you can find in wheat, barley and rye. It is also found in many of our day to day food items. These are items such as energy bars, soy sauce, ice cream, breaded foods and more.

Some people have a gluten intolerance. This is a condition called Celiac disease. This is when a person’s immune system attacks their gut. In cases such as this, you would need to avoid gluten because it can cause chronic constipation.

However, many people simply have a gluten sensitivity. This is not as serious as Celiac disease but it does mean that gluten could be affecting your gut health. Consider omitting gluten if you suspect that your constipation is linked to this.

READ MORE: 
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Photo: Unsplash
7. White Rice
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White rice is rice which has had its husk, bran and germ removed. Unfortunately, this is also where the fibre is.

Brown rice, on the other hand, is high in fibre because its husk, bran and germ has not been removed. Consider switching from white rice to brown rice to relieve constipation.

Photo: Unsplash
8. Chocolate
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You’re probably cringing at this point but unfortunately, chocolate can cause constipation in some people. Chocolate contains caffeine which can dehydrate your body. This make your stools harder to pass.

Chocolate is also usually pretty sugary and sugar can have an adverse effect on your bowels. This is because it’s addictive and we may find ourselves reaching for them more than healthy, fibre-rich foods.

Photo: Unsplash
9. Potato Chips
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Potato chips may be an easy and tasty snack. However, they are also high in fat. Foods that are high in fat can cause your digestion to slow down. They are also low in fibre which is needed for healthy stools.

Instead, opt for healthier snacks like raw carrot or celery sticks.

READ MORE:
6 Common Causes Of A Bloated Tummy
What Your Poop Says About Your Health
5 Very Good Reasons Why You Should Eat At Least A Handful Of Nuts Every Day

Photo: Unsplash
10. Eggs
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Eggs are foods which are high in fat and low in fibre. This is a terrible combination for your digestive system. It will slow down your digestion and make it harder for you to go to the toilet.

If you would still like to enjoy your eggs for breakfast, consider adding fresh fruit and vegetables to compliment your meal. It will also improve your overall gut health.

Photo: Unsplash
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