Quote:
Originally Posted by AB2371
Oh my, all this fiber talk is making me want to run to bathroom. Fiber is a binder for sure, but not in the same way rice is. Fiber will allow for one healthy poo after another, while your body does the work. Water weighs down your movement, and when you're ready, one quick clean movement is the goal. Of course, if all you eat is fiber (you'd be surprised how many foods contain fiber), you may never be able to move. The best way to utilize fiber is by adding it to a healthy and consistent diet of proteins, starches, fruits and vegetables  |
Hah. Yes, fiber is a binder and rice is a constipator (esp. white rice -- but brown and wild rice are fiber bulkers). Unfortunately, when I eat a lot of fiber, it bulks up and dries out my stool, to the point where I get backed up.
There are so many ways to eat, that it has become overwhelming:
FODmap
Low histamine
Low fiber
High fiber
The Whole30
Mediterranean
Vegetarian
Vegan
Meat and veggies and starches
Liver nutrition
Pancreas nutrition
Gallbladder nutrition
Diabetic nutrition
Thyroid nutrition
Rosacea nutrition
I mean, really?! One way isn't the right way. The only way to know what to eat, is to keep a food diary (I am going to start one for myself) and write down what is eaten at what time of day, on what day, and how soon after one had a bowel movement and what the bowel movement resembles on the Bristol Scale poop chart. I think that is the only sane way to combat constipation.
All those digestive disorders, I believe now, come from eating too much fiber, and relying on medications and OTC products that treat constipation. It gives me anxiety just thinking about my constipation.
Like, when I have to strain to push out a bowel movement, I'm probably creating the formation of fissures or hemorrhoids or hell, or increasing my risk of having a stroke or heart attack and who wants to die on the toilet?
I bought the OTC products out of fear and if I have to resort to taking a laxative to soften my bowel movements - like Colace or Miralax, then I will.
Will I ever again resort to that horrid fizzy drink you have to mix in 16 ounces of water then guzzle and wait up to 8 hours for it to soften your poo to liquid that shoots out of you for a good 3-5 hours after an anxious 8 hour wait (I've done this, it was traumatizing).
If only my digestive system would respond to your proposed balanced diet of starch, protein, fruits and vegetables with fiber. Unfortunately, that has never been the case. I think once I start my food diary I will uncover which foods, fruits, and vegetables and meats and seafoods contribute to or help me avoid constipation. That is my goal anyway.
I read that some teas can help treat constipation so I may investigate those.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton
Me too. Thank god for the internet. I shutter when I think how on my own I was prior to the internet. Now I can go directly to studies and research the issue on my own.
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Exactly. We have to self-advocate b/c doctors aren't always on our side.