Foods to Avoid if You Have Constipation
These foods to avoid if you have constipation are not a replacement for medical treatment. If you have serious or recurrent constipation, you will need to speak to a doctor to diagnose the problem. However, many of us have mild episodes of constipation which can be remedied by a change of diet. Certain foods can help our gastrointestinal transit, but others can make a constipated digestive system become even more blocked. This is why oneHOWTO shares these foods which slow digestion further if you do not avoid them in your diet. If the constipation persists after dietary changes, speak to your physician.
Contents
Ultra-processed foods
Both so-called ‘fast food’ and industrial processed food are prohibited foods to avoid constipation. Hamburgers, pizzas, snacks and buns made at an industrial level usually contain high amounts of fats and sugars. These are two nutrients that contribute to heavy digestion and slow down intestinal transit when eaten in excess.
In both processed and fast foods, fiber content is minimal. Preservatives, sweeteners or flavor enhancers are found in very high levels. High in fat and sugar and lack of fiber mean that these foods can trigger or worsen an episode of constipation.
Learn how to deal with a related condition to constipation with our colon inflammation treatment guide.
White rice
If you are wondering what foods to avoid for constipation, you have to include white rice on your list. This is because it is astringent and is used precisely for the opposite of constipation, i.e. to stop diarrhea.
Brown rice can be included among the foods that help you go to the bathroom because of its high-fiber content which is concentrated in the germ and bran. In the case of white, its high starch content and the fact that it does not maintain fiber make it not recommended for people who tend to suffer from constipation.
Fried and battered food
The diet for constipation is mainly based on foods rich in fiber and low in fat. Fruits, vegetables or legumes are some of the foods that should be included in a diet to combat constipation. On the other hand, fried and battered foods must be limited as much as possible. This is because frying means that foods absorb extra fat.
Special mention should be made for potatoes. Although french fries and other types of fried potato are vegetables, they are one of the few vegetables prohibited for constipation. Like rice, they have a high starch content. Eating them fried is totally inadvisable, but they should probably be avoided altogether if you have constipation.
Learn about what foods to avoid if you have diverticulitis, another condition which affects digestion.
Alcoholic beverages
The low number of bowel movements or the difficulty in expelling feces is not only influenced by food intake, but also by the necessary degree of hydration of the body. Drinking enough fluids, especially water, is essential to maintain regular transit. In this sense, we must remember that the alcohol contained in some drinks contributes to dehydration, so it is better to do without it if you suffer from constipation.
Refined flours
Some of the many foods that are made with refined flours include white bread and the most common types of pasta that are made from wheat flour such as macaroni and spaghetti. They are an important source of carbohydrates, but when it comes to fiber, their contribution is minimal. Changing white bread for whole grain or seeded bread, is a simple measure to overcome an occasional episode of constipation, even if only temporary.
Unripe banana and apple
There is no doubt that fruits in general are excellent allies when it comes to regulating intestinal transit. This is in addition to providing numerous micronutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. Despite their health food status, some are foods to avoid in the case of constipation.
One of them is the banana, a food with an good fiber and healthy sugar (fructose) content, but only when it is ripe. When the banana is green, much of the starch has not yet turned to sugar. This starch is a nutrient that slows down intestinal movement. The apple is also considered one of the few fruits that constipate given its high content of tannins and pectin, two nutrients with important astringent properties.
Check out our recipe for an oatmeal and banana smoothie which can help if we use ripe bananas.
Red meats (especially those with higher fat content)
Red meat should always be taken in moderation. Despite being a magnificent source of protein, minerals such as iron and vitamins as important as those of group B, their contribution in saturated fats (and cholesterol) is also high. If you also suffer from constipation, this consumption should be limited even more, since the presence of fat. Together together with the low fiber content, it causes slow and heavy digestion which retards transit.
Yogurt and other dairy products
When faced with an episode of diarrhea, yogurt demonstrates its astringent properties. It helps to stop this gastrointestinal disorder, but this means it is not effective against constipation. It is important to avoid this food because, even if it is in a dish with fiber, it can counteract these positive effects.
In addition, yogurt can provide a large amount of fat that should also be avoided with constipation. Curd, fresh cheese or custard are similar dairy products that may be prohibited for constipation.
Learn more about the foods that cause constipation in our related article.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Foods to Avoid if You Have Constipation, we recommend you visit our Healthy living category.
