Once in a while, you make your way to the bathroom ready to go “number two,” but when you sit down on the toilet, nothing comes out.
Constipation is a common thing, but it can be both uncomfortable and painful. Everyone experiences a variety of types of poop in their lives
One question many people have when they start to experience intestinal distress is, “How often should I poop?”
WebMD explains: “The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week.”
It’s pretty normal for people to have slightly abnormal bowel movements every once in a while. However, if you go more than three days without pooping, that’s when it counts as constipation.
When you can’t “go,” you start looking for constipation relief. While there are plenty of items you can purchase to ease your intestinal discomfort, there are actually a lot of at-home remedies as well.
One of the best ways to aid digestion naturally is to eat foods that make you poop.
Read on to find some of the top foods that will help you poop.
What Causes Constipation?
There are a lot of possible causes of constipation.
This can range from changes in diet or activity to eating too much dairy, not getting enough water or fiber in your diet, and stress.
It might seem counterintuitive to add more food to your stomach when you’re all blocked up, but there are actually a lot of foods that can help with constipation.
1. Pears
Fruits and veggies are good for constipation in general because they are good sources of water and fiber.
Pears, apples, and plums have a lot of fiber in their skins, so the best way to eat them is raw.
WebMD explains that the “sweet fruit is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and it has a lot of fiber and water, which can help with constipation.”
2. Popcorn
Popcorn is not only a delicious snack, it’s also a great food to help relieve constipation.
WebMD explains that it’s filled with fiber, which many people are not aware of. Fiber helps get things moving, which can make pooping easier.
Dr. Charlene Prather explained to Everyday Health, “Popcorn is a great low-calorie way to get more fiber in your diet.”
3. Almonds
Almonds are great for relieving constipation.
Like other nuts, they should be eaten in small amounts, along with plenty of water.
Additionally, seeds are great for aiding digestion as well, so if you’re not in the mood for almonds or other nuts, grab a handful of pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
4. Lentils
Lentils, which are high in fiber and have similar properties to beans, are great for making things move along in your gut.
WebMD explains, “These can make for a great side dish (try them with sausage), and they’re good in salads, too. They can even be hearty enough to have as a main course, thanks to a healthy amount of protein. And, oh yeah, they help you poop.”
5. Potato Salad
According to WebMD, “Cooled potatoes have fiber and a lot of something called ‘resistant starch.’ This ‘resists’ digestion, and some of it ends up in your large intestine, where it helps good bacteria grow.”
Another great way to get your potato fix? Baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes.
Potato skins have a lot of fiber, so make sure to keep the skins on when you cook and eat them.
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