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Constipation normally occurs when stool or waste travels too slowly through the digestive tract, causing it to become dry and hard. Some of the common causes for constipation include dehydration, insufficient fiber in your diet, lack of exercise, illness, ignoring or delaying the urge to use the toilet, as also lifestyle changes There are also a number of diseases like thyroid, diabetes, Parkinson's and stroke, colon and rectal trouble, irritable bowel syndrome and anal fissures that can cause constipation. Intake of certain medication, recurrent use of laxatives, vomiting and hormonal instability can cause constipation as well.

Symptoms to watch out for are passing small hard stools, abdominal pain or bloating, infrequent bowel movement, headaches, flatulence, water retention, pain during passing feces, skin problems, migraines, exhaustion, acne, depression, poor concentration, back aches, incomplete emptying, bad breath, and a coated tongue.

10 Foods to Avoid

Foods to avoid when constipated are as follows:

1. Meat products, as they slow down the digestive process
2. Pasta like macaroni and spaghetti, as excess amounts of cheeses clog your digestive tract
3. Pizza as it has minimal fiber content
4. Other fast foods like fries, burgers, as they have high fat content
5. Ice creams and milkshakes are also best avoided
6. White bread, white rice, and flour biscuits, as they have a low fiber content
7. Potatoes, as they have too much starch in them
8. Foods with high sugar content like cakes, cookies, and pies
9. Eggs
10. Dairy products as they have high in sugar and fat content

It is best to avoid these foods that cause constipation or worsen it.

Foods to Eat when Constipated

There are good foods that help with constipation are those that are a rich source of dietary fiber. Some of the good foods for constipation are as follows:

• Vegetables like spinach, asparagus, kidney beans, green beans, canella beans, artichoke hearts, chard, Brussels sprouts, squash, garbanzo beans, broccoli, navy beans, peas, carrots, kale, cabbage and pinto beans.
• Fruits such as prunes, figs, pineapple, apples, papaya, pears and peaches. These can be eaten raw, stewed, dried or cooked.
• Whole grains like millets, whole grain breads, high fiber cereals, barley and brown rice are also good options.
• Ground flaxseed is known to ease constipation as is a good source of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and minerals.

Also increase the amount of fluids that you drink when eating fiber heavy food. Try to drink two liters of water every day, and to add diversity you can try organic vegetable juices, watered down fruit juices, and herbal teas, as this will not add any stress to your kidneys.

References:

1. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.