18 Foods That You Should Eat When You Can’t Poop

Dr. Gina Sam of Mount Sinai Hospital spoke with Health.comabout the benefits oranges can have on digestion.

Instead of drinking orange juice, go for an actual orange.

Health.com explains that “citrus fruits contain a flavanol called naringenin, which Chinese researchers in an animal study found could work like a laxative to help treat constipation.”

Spinach, like most of these other foods, is high in fiber. It also has magnesium, which is helpful in relieving constipation.

Dr. Blaney explains that magnesium helps the colon contract, and it also “helps draw water in to flush things through.”

Health.com writes, “Beans contain resistant starch, a fiber-like starch that helps improve transit time in the colon, acts as a mild laxative, and helps balance the bacteria in your GI tract.”

“Cup for cup, beans … provide twice as much fiber as most vegetables,” explains Everyday Health.

But if traditional beans cause you too much discomfort, you can opt for green beans instead. They’re very different from traditional beans, though they still have a good amount of fiber. Additionally, they’re low in fermentable sugar, so they won’t make you gassy like normal beans.

Everyday Health explains that “increasing the whole grains in your diet is an effective constipation remedy.”

Eating whole-grain bread is also a good way to avoid future blockages: It’s high in complex carbohydrates and fiber while being low in fat.