SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER BOWEL HABITS

 

 

 

Constipation is a frequent complaint. This can be mild (small, hard stools) to severe (no bowel movements without a laxative).

Constipation is almost always due to insufficient fibre intake because our foods are so highly refined that there is little fibre left. Our forefathers ate about 60g of fibre per day; we eat only about 13g daily. Most of us need about 20-35g per day or more. One to three soft, formed stools a day is normal.

Canada’s dietary guidelines: Recommendation of fibre intake with different ages and sexes:

AGE IN YEARS                      GOAL FOR AN INTAKE OF GRAM(g) PER DAY

Men 19 to 50                                                          38

Men 51 and older                                                  30

Women 19 to 50                                                    25

Women 51 and older                                             21

Pregnant Women 19 and older                            28

Breastfeeding Women 19 and older                    29

 

There are two types of fibre: insoluble and soluble. Soluble fibre is absorbed into the blood stream and is of no help to the bowel. The best source of insoluble fibre is cereal, but very few are truly high in fibre. In order to achieve better bowel habits, we suggest the following:

• Fibre 1 or All-Bran Cereals
  Please check the label to be sure the fibre content is close to 15g per serving. Be sure to drink a glass of water while you are eating it and another one afterwards. If necessary, you can eat another bowl of cereal in the evening. That alone would give you 30g of fibre per day. Some bloating may occur but this just means that the bowel is starting to work. It should subside in time.

• High Fibre Bread (Prairie Bran has 6g per two slice servings)

• Other foods high in insoluble fibre content include most beans, brussel sprouts, corn, peas, acorn squash, potatoes with the skin on, blackberries, and raspberries.

Note:

Always drink a glass of water whenever you have fibre. Fibre does not work without water. Coffee or juice does not help! If your bowel movements tend to become too frequent or loose, decrease the amount of fibre, as every individual’s needs are different.

Some additional points to note:

 

• Wheat Bran 1-4 tbsp (green Quaker box) may be added to the above cereals or put in meatloaf etc. Remember to drink water with it!

• If you wish to lose some weight, have cereal and water 30mins before your main meal

• Avoid white bread and other cereals with low fibre content

• Fibre is an invisible chemical, not a stringy material that you can see

• There is no upper limitation for fiber consumption

• Avoid supplements and laxatives with Cascara or Senna