rather embarassing question here.

Okay, I can't believe I'm even asking this, but does eating healthy make your stool harder or does it make you go to the bathroom less? I find this a problem, and is there anything I can eat or take that will help this? thank you.

For people who are eating lots of fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water and still not going regularly... it's possible you cut too much fat from your diet.  Happened to my best friend, she was all stopped up and miserable and confused.  As soon as she stopped seeking out non-fat everything, she was right back on schedule again.

Eating flaxseed oil always makes me go.

Regularity depends on the person. You can't say it's normal to go 2-3 days and you can't say its normal to go everyday. Some people go every day some people don't. When you feel  you need to and can't- then you have a problem. If it hurts then you have a problem. But if you find yourself not going for a day or two then going just fine your fine.

 

When I started to eat healthier, I started going a lot less to the point I was having other issues and was taking stool softners or drinking smooth move on a regular basis.  I was drinking  a lot of water and increased my fiber take so I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong until my boyfriend came to town and I ate some pizza - everything kinda slid out after that.  I would have to say not enough fats and oils in your diet can also cause constipation, because when I eat like I used to, I have no problems.

one of the few things that does bind me up is being pressed for time.  i usually go in the morning, but if i'm in a rush, it often doesn't happen.  i think you have to be relaxed to be regular.

my mom used to say that martyrs get cancer (the whole statement, actually, was "smokers don't get cancer; martyrs get cancer."  that was before she quit smoking and before she got cancer).  the theory was that martyrs take on so much responsibility, rarely say no, are always rushing around and not taking care of themselves.  they're chronically constipated and they get colon cancer.  it's not entirely true, of course, but i think there are elements of truth to it.

I've noticed something for me personally about fiber in the diet & I don't know if this happens to others, but when I eat something with fiber in it... usually about .. I want to say 4hrs later, I have to go poop, sometimes less than 4, but the main point is.. is that if I don't go... RIGHT THEN (sometimes I don't because I mentally can't if im not home, which is why I time it properly) I find I get constipated and won't have the urge again for several hours. And it's definitely uncomfortable & I don't know what causes the constipation necessarily. But as long as I go when I have the urge I usually go several times a day, at this point I couldn't imagine not going everyday.... however it's happend before & always been fine.

Ha ha - I think I have proof that regularity depends on the person.  My parents used to eat EXACTLY the same food EVERY day, my mom drank more water.  My dad pooped twice a day, my mom every second day.

This last week, I upped my fiber and water because I've been super hungry (TTOTM).

As a result, I poop every two hours. It sucks! I wish I didn't have to poop!

BRB -- Going to poop now. (Not even kidding, wish I were!)

If your intake of iron has increased that can cause constipation. I know there are a lot of differing views on how often you should go poop but you know your body and you know if something is not right. You should at least up your water intake. I used to work for a doctor and he always told constipated patients to use mineral oil.

Hope you feel better soon.