| 
Guide to
Preventing Constipation
How We Eat & What We Eat
- Relax and eat slowly
- Eat more high-fibre foods
Hurried meals, skipped meals, weight-loss
diets and meals eaten on the run can all contribute to –
or aggravate – constipation. Try to sit down, relax and
enjoy your meals in a leisurely manner. Family mealtimes
are probably not the best times to talk about subjects –
such as homework, who scratched the car, or the latest credit-card
bill – that make family members tense and nervous.
If we want to avoid constipation,
what we eat is important, too. And most important of all
is to just include more fiber in our diet. Found
in many fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals,
fiber helps your body develop soft, bulky stools that are
easy to pass. In addition to adding healthy fiber to your
diet, try to avoid over-processed foods with little fiber,
such as chips, pizza, ice cream, frozen dinners and instant
potatoes.
If you decide to include more high-fiber foods in your diet,
you may want to increase your fiber intake slowly in order
to avoid bloating, gas or unnecessary stomach upset. And
remember: it usually takes a few days before you will feel
the positive effects of your healthy, new regime.
|
