FOODS BAD FOR CONSTIPATION

People with Parkinson’s seem to be riddled with constipation. Last month we covered the use of magnesium to relieve constipation. If you get constipated often, you may want to take a look at your diet. Here’s a list of items you should either avoid or eat/use less of; in some cases you may find good substitutions.

Alcohol Like coffee, alcohol can make it hard for your body to hold onto water. Alcohol dehydrates, so until you can become hydrated again your bathroom activity may be hard and slow. Consider drinking a glass of water along with or after each cocktail.

Caffeine For some people, a couple cups of coffee will make them race to the bathroom, but it can also have the opposite effect. Like alcohol, the caffeine in coffee and soft drinks can keep your body from holding onto water, and you need water to stay regular. If you’re constipated, consider drinking Smooth Move tea instead.

Cupcakes or Sweet Desserts Sweet desserts like cupcakes, cookies, pastries, and other treats with refined sugar are low in fiber and high in fat. Not good if you’re constipated. Consider exchanging those treats with fruit and yogurt. Your system will appreciate you more.

Dairy Too much cheese and milk. Dairy milk can be exchanged with Soy, almond, coconut and other milks. If you’re a big cheese eater, consider eating less or Google Cheeses not made from dairy and find an array that may be better for you. Also consider eating yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that’s good for your digestive system and may help relieve constipation.

Eggs By themselves, eggs have very little fiber making it harder for them to move through the system; however they are a good source of protein. You might consider making them with fresh vegetables or sprinkle them with flax seed or other fiber filled food or seeds. 

Fast or Prepared Foods Sometimes our schedules force us to eat poorly, readymade meals that are convenient, but which can cause constipation. That’s because most fast foods are low in fiber, which you need to help food move through our system. If you prepare your meals in advance rather than succumbing to fast food orders, you might speed up your digestion.

Fried Food Fried foods are full of fat and therefore hard to digest. When food moves through your colon slowly, the water content can be taken out of it. That makes for a hard, dry stool. Although fried chicken or battered and deep fried fish or other foods may be very inviting, your best bet is to pass on them for food with more fiber.

Tender Meat By itself, your tender steak or pork chop may be full of protein and fat, they are lacking in fiber. If you’re going to eat them consider partnering them with broccoli, asparagus, spinach or other high fiber vegetables to help them move through your digestive system.

White Bread Too much will give you hard, dry stools. White bread and cookies do cause constipation, containing 3% or less of fiber. If you notice that a certain type of bread causes you bloating or worsens your constipation, then it may be advisable to cut from your diet.  If you are sensitive to gluten it may be best to steer clear of all breads as they may well trigger constipation. Stay hydrated!