“Can you suggest the proper diet for someone suffering from constipation?”
My mother has a problem with constipation, which keeps happening. She started to take laxatives, and they help, somewhat, but we'd rather her not depend on them and take them often. Is there a diet that would actually help her?
4 Answers
Hi there, Constipation can be caused by several factors- medications decreased water intake and not enough fiber in the diet. Increasing fiber daily can help reduce the symptoms. Here are some ways to add fiber- whole grains, oatmeal, blackberries, blueberries, pears, apples, leafy greens. You want to add at least 1-2 cups of fruits/veggies per meal. If this is not possible, you can ask her dr if you can add a fiber supplement- metmucil, psyllium husk, etc.
Constipation is primarily a fluid:solid food ratio imbalance.
Drink more pure water. Avoid sodas, diet sodas and fruit juices. Drink Smooth Move Herbal Tea. Make sure your mother gets a lot dietary fiber. Ground Chia seeds and Flax seeds are a good source of dietary fiber. An apple or avocado are excellent sources of fiber.
Adequate water intake (half the body weight in ounces at a minimum) and fiber is important for regular bowel movements. I recommend she get at least 40 grams of fiber a day to help with constipation but that has to be along with water. Magnesium at night can also help.
