Food that Helps Constipation

There are so many people who have problems with constipation.  I was one of them.  I had severe and chronic constipation for many years and it was emotionally consuming me.

According to one website I visited, the metaphysical reason for constipation was the suppression of one's ideas, opinions; Holding on and not expressing one's ideas; Fear of the future, fear of the unknown, uncertainty about what lies ahead; The law of attraction working in reverse. I can confirm those reasons were correct for me.  I needed to change my thinking.

While I was working on myself spiritually, I was also working on myself physically. I completely overhauled my eating habits over a period of several years.  "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?" 1 Cor 6:19

I now eat short grain brown rice (Lundberg Farms), whole grains, a lot of steamed vegetables and fresh fruit, beans and legumes, yogart, nuts and seeds. At home I eat mostly organic. I also make a lot of "green smoothies" with fresh dark green leafy vegetables and fresh soups with my Vitamix. I love my Vitamix.  I will eat eggs or fish some times when I go out to a restaurant.

Because I had severe and chronic constipation, I began looking for foods that would encourage bowel movements and help constipation.  Below is a partial list I use that I got from various sources.  The biggest thing I found is consistency using the right food.  I encourage you to change your thinking and your eating habits if you want to heal a problem with constipation - read my blog post As a Man Thinketh and start changing your thinking and read the list of foods below and start changing your eating habits.  I am doing it daily and you can too!

With love, peace and blessings, Terrie

Eating Food that Helps Constipation 
& Encourages Bowel Movements

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables are high in vitamins like A, C and K, minerals like potassium and magnesium, and other nutrients and have lots of fiber which encourage bowel movements. Fill your refrigerator with dandelion and turnip greens, blue green algae, barley, bitter gourd, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, alfalfa, chard, mustard greens, chicory, arugula and other leafy greens. They act as a natural, laxative and are high in dietary fiber, calcium, folic acid, Vitamins K and C, and magnesium – all essential nutrients necessary for digestion, and overall health. It also helps to increase the flow of bile, which is the substance that helps move the waste through your system.

Other Vegetables

Carrots:  Are high in pectin and they add bulk to stool which helps stimulate bowel contractions and carrots are a natural body detoxifier.

Onions: Contain natural antioxidants, Vitamin E, Potassium, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, and Fiber and they help to relieve congestion.

Garlic: Garlic has high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.  Garlic has the ability to activate liver enzymes which helps your body flush out toxins.

Broccoli and Cauliflower: Broccoli and cauliflower increases the amount of glucosinolate in your system which helps enzyme production in your liver and helps flush toxins out of our body.

Cabbage: Like broccoli and cauliflower, cabbage helps flush out toxins, and helps soften the stool during bowel movements.

Avocados: Avocados are packed with beneficial nutrients such as dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin k and folate. One avocado a day will provide you with about 30% of your daily fiber needs.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are great laxative foods, rich in Vitamins C, A, and K. Tomatoes provide you with approximately 10% of your daily fiber needs. 

Okra: Okay - I absolutely love okra. It is awesome for constipation! Okra acts in the body as oil acts in your car. You need oil to lubricate the engine. Okra acts as a lubricant for the large intestines. The fiber in okra absorbs water, causing fibrous bulk in the stool.  Because of its slippery mucilage---its gelatinous texture---the fiber from okra is not as harsh on the intestines as other fiber. It works smoothly in your system. Unlike over-the-counter products, Okra is nontoxic, non-habit forming and a highly nutritious food full of vitamins.

Raw Fruits

Fruits like bananas, apples, melons and a variety of berries are extremely high in liquid-content, which helps the body wash out toxins. They are also very easy to digest and high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber and many important vitamins like vitamin C.

Bananas: High in fiber and have a laxative effect. Bananas are great for promoting easy digestion. Since bananas are high in potassium, eating a banana a day will help restore valuable electrolytes to your intestinal tract. Additionally, they contain a natural compound called fructooligo saccharide, which can help encourage beneficial bacteria in your intestinal tract.

Apples: The high pectin levels in apples help stimulate the bowels and provide bulk. A good natural laxative is organic apple cider vinegar. Pour a small amount into a glass of purified water and drink it in the morning.

Melons: One of the easiest foods to digest and go directly to the intestines when consumed. If they are held up in the stomach by other foods, they decompose quickly and ferment.

Berries: Extremely high in antioxidants and great during a colon cleanse and afterwards.

Prunes  Recognized as “nature’s laxative,” prunes are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber and prunes provide beneficial bacteria to the intestines.

Mango:  A common folk remedy for treating constipation. Not only is it a healthy source of dietary fiber, but it is also plentiful in vitamin C and potassium, which helps those experiencing constipation.

Citrus Fruits: Lemons, Oranges & Limes  These citrus fruits have wonderful detoxification power. I drink hot lemon water every morning. They aid the body in flushing out toxins, as well as jump-start the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Vitamin C is one of the best detox vitamins around, as it transforms toxins into digestible material. One orange will provide you with approximately 12-15% of your daily recommended fiber.

Raw Seeds and Nuts

Eat more of the easily digestible raw seeds and raw nuts. Chew small amounts thoroughly.  Count the number of times you chew - 20 to 30.  Raw seeds include flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, siberian cedar nuts and sunflower seeds. All are rich in fiber, Vitamin E, protein, zinc and other essential nutrients.

Flaxseed is a good source of fiber that functions as a mild laxative. The compound mucilage in the flaxseed is responsible for the laxative effect. Mucilage works with dietary fiber to stimulate the intestines to both absorb nutrients and expel waste.

Beans, Peas & Legumes

Beans, peas, and legumes are low in both fat and cholesterol, and help with digestion. Beans and legumes are high in fiber and protein, therefore great protein substitutes.

Water

Last, but most definitely not least, water is one of the best natural laxative sources for relieving constipation! Drink 8 glasses of purified water a day!  Hydrate slowly all day long.  Sip water slowly - hydrate. Water is vital to your body, makes up approximately 80 percent of your body weight, and helps moisten the intestines, regulating bowel flow.


If you enjoy my blog, please share a link to it with others! Much love, Terrie
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