There are many different factors that can contribute to constipation, but did you know that food can be one of them? That’s right, the food you eat can actually make you more prone to becoming constipated. While there isn’t necessarily a single “constipation-causing” food, there are definitely some that are more likely to lead to this issue. Here are some of the top offenders when it comes to constipation-inducing foods. We will also reveal a shocking fact: While there are many possible causes of constipation, your thyroid medication may be to blame! Here’s what you need to know about the link between hypothyroidism, food, and constipation.
Table of Contents
Foods that cause constipation (what to avoid)
Alcohol
Alcohol is frequently mentioned as a possible cause of constipation. The reason is that consumption of a large amount of alcohol can increase the fluid lost through your urine, causing dehydration. Poor hydration, either by not drinking enough water or urinating too much and losing fluids, is often connected to an increased risk of constipation.
However, my friends are not in the same situation as me. Some of my friends experienced diarrhea, rather than constipation, after a night out drinking. I found that no studies could be found on the direct link between alcohol consumption and constipation. Different individuals may have varying reactions to the potentially dehydrating and constipating effects of alcohol. Those who avoid these effects should consider drinking a glass of water or other non-alcoholic beverage.
Gluten-containing foods
One type of food that can cause constipation is gluten which is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, spelt, Kamut, and triticale. I’m not too sensitive to gluten-containing foods. However, my friend’s digestive tract may experience some problems when he eats a lot of bread. Also, some people are intolerant to gluten. This is a condition known as gluten intolerance or celiac disease. When somebody with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system harms their guts. We recommend that people with celiac disease avoid gluten to ease and heal their digestive system. Chronic constipation is among the symptoms. Besides, chronic constipation is one of the common symptoms. Avoiding gluten can help relieve and heal the gut.
The condition of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two other examples of instances in which the stomach reacts to someone with gluten sensitivity. They are not all intolerant to gluten, but they merely appear to be.
If you have suspected gluten to be causing your constipation, be sure to talk with a health professional to ensure that gluten isn’t causing celiac disease. This is a crucial tip, as gluten needs to be incorporated into your diet for the test to detect celiac disease to work.
Processed grains
Although I rarely experience constipation from processed grains and their products, such as white bread, white rice, and white pasta. You should note this type of food because they are low-fiber foods. Fiber is an essential nutrient for stool consistency. Grains are stripped of their bran and germ during milling, which means that important nutrients, like fiber, are removed.
A research study has determined that a higher fiber dietary intake leads to a decreased risk of constipation. The results of that research show that each gram of additional dietary fiber consumption each day results in a 1.8 decrease chance for constipation. People who suffer from constipation may benefit from gradually reducing their intake of processed foods and replacing them with whole foods that contain fiber. Sweet, ripe fruits are the best source of it.
For many individuals, extra fiber may be beneficial, but for others, the use of fiber may exacerbate, rather than relieve, their constipation. For people who are constipated and already eating many whole-grain fiber-rich foods, adding more fiber may not help. If you’re already constipated and consuming a lot of fiber-rich whole grains, increasing your intake of fiber is not likely to help much. In some cases, even it may make the problem worse. If this is the case for you, try gradually reducing your daily intake of fiber to see if this provides some relief. You might also consider reducing intake of fibre from whole grains and replacing it with soluble fiber-rich fruit.
Milk and dairy products
Another contributor to constipation, at least for some, is dairy. I am not addicted to milk, so it is not my problem. However, children are especially prone to issues related to the proteins found in milk, as are infants and toddlers. A review of experiences from 1990 to 2015 found certain children with chronic constipation experienced improvements after they stopped drinking cow’s milk. At the time of recent research, children aged 1-12 with chronic constipation regularly consumed cow milk for at least two years. For a brief time thereafter, cow’s milk was replaced by soy milk, and nine of the 13 children studied experienced constipation relief.
Furthermore, the has more anecdotal evidence of its effects in older adults than scientific research suggests. However, few studies dealing with this subject focus is related to children instead. It s worth noting, that individuals who are lactose intolerant may experience diarrhea, rather than constipation when taking dairy.
Fried and processed foods
Does your busy lifestyle have you eating on the go? Yes, I do enjoy fried foods and processed foods as they’re usually easy and convenient, but little constipation may be triggered in my gastrointestinal tract. This is why most mass-produced meals are low in fiber, which you may need to help make digestion easier. By slowing yourself down, you may be able to speed up your digestion. Eating large or frequent portions of processed or fried food may also increase your probability of constipation.
These high-fat and low-fiber foods can help slow down digestion as red meat does. If fast food snacks such as chips, cookies, chocolate, and ice cream may also replace more fiber-rich snack options, such as fruits and vegetables in a person’s diet, this can further increase the likelihood of constipation by decreasing the amount of fiber eaten per day.
Fried and processed foods contain a high quantity of sodium, which can result in water within stool drying up and even make it tougher to push through the body. In this sense, when you consume an excessive amount of sodium, the water within your intestines is drained to your bloodstream, helping to compensate for the increased concentration of salt within your blood. This is one way your body works to bring its salt concentration back to normal, but unfortunately, it can lead to constipation.
Persimmons
Persimmons are a common fruit found in the East that often cause constipation for some people. There are many varieties, but in most cases, they can be classified as either sweet or astringent. In particular, astringent persimmons contain a high level of tannins, a substance that is believed to be useful in decreasing bowel movements and relaxing the intestines.
For this reason, Individuals who tend to experience constipation should avoid eating numerous astringent persimmons.
How to prevent constipation: You should add more high-fiber foods
Do not hesitate to take a regular laxative if your usual bowel movement suddenly becomes sluggish. Most people experience mild constipation, and laxatives are rarely necessary. Instead, evaluate how you’re eating. Are you getting enough fiber?
Plant foods are the core of nutrition for the body. Wiggling tissues and soft clumps of stools are the results of extra fiber that is seen as a result of eating plant foods, which include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Consuming at least 25 grams of fiber daily for women and 38 for men is recommended. Age 50 is the age when body requirements decrease by approximately 17 percent with respect to women and 30 percent with respect to men. As for many people, the reduced amount of fiber we get during the 20s and 30s may contribute to health problems such as constipation.
You should add vegetables or sweet, ripe fruit to your diet to increase your dietary fiber intake. You don’t need to count grams of dietary fiber to obtain the amount you need. Instead, aim to eat 4 cups of fruits and 2 cups of vegetables every day. I frequently use more dietary fiber when I top my baked potato with broccoli and other vegetables.
If you hate vegetables, consider a fiber supplement. Fiber supplements are called bulk-forming laxatives and are effective in relieving mucous problems. Do not drink them without talking to your doctor, however, as they can make other medications less efficient.
Food That Causes Constipation (for hypothyroid patients)
Some certain foods help improve the bowel movements
Grains contain insoluble fiber: Instead of eating white bread, white rice, and regular pasta with whole-grain bread, choose to eat whole wheat pasta and brown rice. Whole oats, multigrain cereals, and whole wheat crackers that you eat every day are useful in maintaining regular bowel movements.
Beans are good for health if they do not cause you flatulence: Eating beans or legumes at least once or twice a week is more beneficial than one meal a week. Add beans to salads, and try bean soups and stews as the main dishes.
Staying hydrated help relieve constipation: Whether you decide to eat more fiber as part of your diet through foods or supplements, be sure to drink at least additional fluids as well. Choose water or fluids with little or no calories, such as unsweetened tea and applesauce.
Ease Constipation With Exercise
I am a sports junkie and I found that exercising regularly not only keeps me fit but may also help me stay regular. It can help food move more quickly through your colon. I have started exercising for about 20 minutes, 3 days a week, and built up to at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week for about 2 months. This helps my constipation ease very well.
To prevent possible constipation or occasional constipation, I have adjusted my diet plan including eating more fiber foods, staying hydrated, prioritizing prepared foods, and so on. I hope my information will help you improve your bowel movements. However, if you have other health problems, you should ask the advice of a registered dietitian, internet healer, or doctor. Sometimes they are able to help some people.
Could cheap thyroid medications cause constipation?
There are many possible causes of constipation, but one potential cause is your cheap thyroid medication. Synthetic levothyroxine (such as Synthroid) provides only T4, but you need also T3. Levothyroxine might make the T4 to T3 tissue ratio worse. T4 that is not converted to T3 will block T3 from entering the cell. T3 is an active thyroid hormone, while T4 is just a prohormone. This imbalance can cause a number of problems, including constipation. If you’re taking cheap thyroid medication, it may be worth considering switching to a brand that provides both T4 and T3 such as Armour Thyroid, WP Thyroid or VitaliThy. VitalIThy is a brand of Natural Desiccated Thyroid that you can buy Online unlike Armour Thyroid buying which is difficult without a prescription.