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Diet with constipation

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Diet with constipation should include more raw vegetables, cooked or stewed dishes, which will help the intestine function properly. It is also recommended to eat a fraction: often, every 2-3 hours, in small portions.

Modern lifestyle often leads to constipation. Improper eating (snacks on the go), weak physical activity (mostly sedentary lifestyle), frequent stresses - all this can disrupt the work of the intestines. In addition, constipation may appear as a result of some diets for weight loss, when the body begins to lack fiber (for example, low-carb or protein diets), liquids. Prolonged constipation can cause metabolic disorders, which will lead to the appearance of extra pounds.

If you are addicted to constipation, you must include in your diet products containing fiber, which is considered a natural laxative. Increase the use of fiber is not so difficult, it is enough to add to your daily menu fruits, raw vegetables, cereals. Also it is necessary to diversify the food with bread from bran or whole-grained, dried fruits (prunes, raisins, etc.), which contain vitamins and minerals.

For the prevention of constipation, you need to drink about 2 liters of water a day (if there are no contraindications), and also there are fewer sugar-containing foods.

trusted-source[1], [2]

Diet 3 with constipation

Diet with constipation № 3 is prescribed for chronic inflammatory processes in the intestine, which do not occur in the stage of exacerbation. Dietary nutrition includes the necessary amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as liquids and salts. The daily calorific value is up to 3500 kcal.

The diet includes products that help improve bowel function. It is forbidden to eat foods that promote fermentation and putrefaction, stimulate the production of gastric juice, disrupt the work of the liver, gall bladder. When cooking, it is important not to crush products, use mainly steam, boiled or baked dishes (but not to allow too ruddy crust, it is best to bake in a special bag or foil). Vegetables and fruits should be eaten as much as possible in raw form.

Useful for the intestines are the following products:

  • soups (borsch) on vegetable or weak fish (meat) broths, beetroots;
  • low-fat meat (poultry, veal), fish;
  • fruit, berries, both fresh and dried (prunes, dried apricots, etc.);
  • eggs (boiled soft-boiled, in the form of an omelette);
  • fresh vegetables (beets, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, etc.). Cabbage and legumes can be included in the diet, provided that these products are normally tolerated;
  • porridge on the water (wheat, buckwheat, oatmeal), can be diluted with a small amount of milk;
  • acidophilus, kefir, low-fat cottage cheese, as a supplement to the dishes you can use sour cream, cheese;
  • fresh celery, dill, parsley;
  • butter (mainly in dishes), with normal tolerance added vegetable fats.
  • bread of coarse grinding, products from not dough (limited);

Smoked, spicy dishes and sauces, buns, chocolate, strong tea, coffee, mustard, garlic, horseradish, fats (beef, culinary, pig, etc.) are excluded from the diet.

The menu for constipation can be constructed according to the following plan:

  • Breakfast: scrambled eggs, vegetables (can be in the form of a salad with olive oil), not strong tea.
  • Snack: fruit (apple).
  • Lunch: vegetable soup, a piece of boiled meat with stewed vegetables, a weak tea or a compote of dried fruits.
  • Dinner: buckwheat porridge, vegetable cabbage rolls, tea.

Before going to bed to normalize the bowels, it is recommended to drink a glass of kefir, acidophilus.

trusted-source[3], [4],

Diet 4 with constipation

Dietary food №4 is recommended for inflammatory processes in the small or large intestine, dysentery, intestinal tuberculosis, and the like.

The main purpose of such nutrition is maximum shaking of the intestinal mucosa, reducing inflammation, restoring intestinal activity and reducing fermentation and putrefaction in the intestine.

Energy value is reduced by fat and carbohydrates. Products that are difficult to digest, irritate the intestinal walls, liver, promote fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines, stimulate biliary excretion, and limit the use of sugar.

Food during the diet with constipation fractional, the dishes are mostly in liquid or ground form.

Permitted to use:

  • soups in the vegetable, occasionally allowed soup on a thin broth of meat or fish, if desired, you can add rice or a manga. You can also add boiled meat, meatballs, etc.
  • porridge on the water (buckwheat, oatmeal, etc.);
  • not fatty meat in the form of cutlet steamed, soufflé, pâté or simply boiled;
  • eggs (1 - 2 per day);
  • cottage cheese;
  • jelly, fruit.

From the diet excluded pasta, sausages, milk, fried eggs, fruits, dried fruits, honey, jam, sweets.

trusted-source[5]

Diet with constipation in children

Constipation in a child can occur for a variety of reasons: unbalanced diet, chronic diseases, lifestyle, due to climate change, etc.

Diet for constipation in children is used as the main treatment. At the time of treatment, products with astringent properties and slowing peristalsis of the intestine are excluded from the children's menu: strong tea, broth, rice, semolina, chocolate. If the child has constipation, it is necessary to diversify the menu with products that contribute to the bowel: fruits, fresh vegetables, porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat), vegetable oil, black bread.

It helps to normalize the work of the intestines using fasting freshly squeezed juices: beet, plum, apple.

The diet for constipation in children differs little from the adult's menu, however in this case it is necessary to take into account some features. First of all, before treatment of constipation, it is necessary to find out the reason why constipation developed, because in some cases, constipation can be a symptom of a serious illness.

In dietetics, food is divided into three groups: 

  1. Improves peristalsis of the intestine. Such products include prunes, figs, apples, bran, sea kale, etc. 
  2. With the enveloping effect on the intestines, which promote easier movement of food through the intestines (vegetable oils). 
  3. With irritating effect on the intestine (rhubarb root, etc.).

If the child's constipation develops due to weak motor activity, then the products included in the first and second group should be added to the children's menu, and the products from the first and second groups are used for constipation of a spastic nature.

Quite often in children who are prone to constipation, there is a dysbacteriosis that develops due to constipation, and often a violation of the intestinal microflora can be one of the causes of stool disorders. In some cases, the use of sour-milk products does not bring the desired effect and the specialist can recommend biologics.

The diet of the child, the portion size depends on the age. At 1.5 - 2 years, when the baby eats mostly cereals, it is recommended to add a small amount of steamed prunes to the diet.

For older children, the menu is made up of allowed products in such a way that they not only combine, but complement each other:

  • Breakfast: fresh vegetables (in winter you can boiled) in the form of salad dressed with vegetable oil, scrambled eggs, compote with dried fruits.
  • Snack: a few pieces of fresh plums or prunes, apricot, apple. Dried fruits before consumption should be steamed.
  • Lunch: soup on vegetable broth, steamed vegetables and a steam cutlet or boiled meat, compote with dried fruit or weak tea.
  • Lunch: fruit (apricot, orange) is limited.
  • Supper: porridge, fish (steamed meat) steamed, boiled or stewed, cottage cheese, tea.

Before going to bed, you can give your child a little kefir, which will help restore the intestinal microflora.

trusted-source[6], [7], [8]

Diet with constipation in adults

Diet with constipation in adults has several characteristics. First of all, with constipation, you need to include more plant food in your diet, since it is rich not only in minerals, vitamins, but also in fiber, which improves the functioning of the intestines.

Secondly, the use of chilled foods stimulates the activity of the intestine.

With constipation, you need to eat foods with a lax effect: black bread, buckwheat porridge, kefir, vegetable juices. It is necessary to completely exclude (or limit as much as possible) products that contain essential oils and promote gassing in the intestines: sorrel, cabbage, etc.

Every day should drink at least two liters of water (provided that there are no problems with the kidneys). Take food should be up to 5 times a day in small portions, while it is desirable to eat more foods in raw form (salads, fruits). It helps with constipation flaxseed oil, bran from wheat, sea kale.

A good laxative effect has a warm short (up to 5 minutes) bath every other day, at the beginning it is good to do a circular stomach massage (clockwise). In addition, help in the fight against constipation can have an active lifestyle, for example, playing sports. It is also recommended not to drink or take alcohol not only during a diet, but also during the rest of the time.

If plant remedies are used to treat constipation (tea, rhubarb root, etc.), then they should be used strictly in recommended doses and not exceed the course of treatment, otherwise the intestines may develop addiction to such drugs and in the future it will not be able to function fully .

Diet for constipation in adults can consist of 10 days of release, when a day using foods that have astringent and laxative effect.

An approximate 10-day menu during constipation: 

  1. Salad from fresh beets, carrots, apples with oil (olive, corn, sunflower). 
  2. Oatmeal, 2 apples. 
  3. 2 apples, prunes (10-15 pieces), cottage cheese skim (500g). 
  4. Baked apples. 
  5. Buckwheat with onions, greens, if desired, you can add vegetable oil. 
  6. Cooked beans with greens, if desired, you can add green peas. 
  7. Buckwheat porridge with carrots and cabbage rolls. 
  8. Macaroni with fresh herbs (dill, parsley), low-fat cottage cheese. 
  9. Borscht on vegetable broth with beans.
  10. Porridge of wheat, compote (with fruit, berries).

Diet with constipation in the elderly

Constipation in the elderly develops quite often. As a rule, this leads to a sedentary lifestyle, medication, unbalanced diet, dehydration.

The most effective way to treat constipation in old age is to adjust nutrition, use plant laxatives. Before you start treating constipation, you need to consult a specialist, since constipation can be a symptom of dangerous diseases, for example, bowel cancer.

Diet with constipation in the elderly includes (with normal tolerability) fresh vegetables, fruits in the morning on an empty stomach or at night. Good help to get rid of the problem of beets, carrots, cabbage.

trusted-source[9], [10], [11]

Diet with constipation in pregnant women

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from constipation. The cause of this condition is most often hormonal restructuring. The hormone progesterone produced during pregnancy acts relaxing on smooth muscles, so the work of the intestine can slow down.

To prevent or treat constipation during pregnancy, you must eat foods that contain a large amount of fiber, which contributes to the process of digestion of food. Getting into the gastrointestinal tract, the cellulose swells, there is an increase in volume and softening of the contents in the intestine, by improving digestion the emptying is normalized.

Diet with constipation should consist of a sufficient number of vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin, apples, carrots, beets), and you must give preference to dried fruits and bread coarsely.

Normalize the digestive system fresh kefir, fermented milk, yogurt, also helps the digestive system work kvass. Vegetable fats help improve intestinal motility.

Strengthen, promote the accumulation of fats, toxins, slags in the intestines of chocolate, strong tea, coffee, buns, semolina, blueberries.

To prevent constipation in the morning on an empty stomach you need to drink a glass of cool water, if desired, you can add lemon or honey. You also need to eat plenty of fruits that contain a lot of water: prunes, orange, currants. It is also good to eat light salads from vegetables with vegetable oil.

trusted-source[12], [13], [14]

Diet of a nursing mother with constipation

Constipation after childbirth often worries women. Lack of sleep, physical activity - all this can be one of the reasons for the development of constipation. In this case, a diet with constipation remains the only option that will help to solve the problem.

Normalize the chair will help the use of fiber (up to 20 grams per day). You can get it from vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread.

With constipation, nursing mother should have breakfast with a cup of bran and fruit, which will give a daily dose of fiber. During the day, it is necessary to drink a sufficient amount of liquid, since dehydration can be one of the causes of constipation.

A large amount of fiber is found in some juices, for example, in plum juice. Drink better freshly squeezed juices, in which there is a maximum of nutrients. The diet of the nursing mother should not contain heavy and fatty foods. In addition, caffeinated beverages dehydrate the body, so it is best to drink no more than one cup of tea a day, and it is better to completely reject coffee.

trusted-source[15], [16]

Diet for chronic constipation

Chronic constipation often develops due to malnutrition, when insufficient amount of stimuli is supplied with food.

Diet for chronic constipation should be based on the principle of stimulation of intestinal peristalsis. The diet should consist of laxative products and preferably without thermal processing. Use laxatives is not recommended, since the intestines get used to them and subsequently can not independently cope with their function.

Nutrition for chronic constipation should be varied with dried fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, vegetable juices (carrot, beetroot), fresh sour-milk products, compotes (plum, cranberry, dried fruits), porridges (buckwheat, oat, and barley). At the same time, it is necessary to exclude fatty, spicy dishes, smoked products.

trusted-source[17], [18]

Diet in colitis with constipation

Colitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the large intestine, which is accompanied by a violation of motility.

At exacerbations the diet of the patient should be balanced, and contain an equal amount of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Daily intake of salt is reduced to 10 grams per day, food should be steam or boiled, you can also bake vegetables, meat, fish, but do not allow too ruddy crust.

Diet with constipation should contain stale bread, dry biscuits, crackers, boiled cereals (buckwheat, pearl barley, oatmeal), vegetable soups (sometimes on a weak meat broth), vegetables (zucchini, carrots, etc.), lean meat (poultry , veal, fish) in the form of steam cutlets, pates, steamed omelets, soufflé, cottage cheese, compotes.

It is necessary to exclude from the diet fresh bread, muffins, legumes, fatty, salty, spicy dishes, smoked meats, hard-boiled and fried eggs, grapes, chocolate, carbonated drinks.

The diet should be observed for about one month, in some cases, longer treatment is required before the bowel function is fully normalized.

trusted-source[19], [20], [21], [22]

Diet for hemorrhoids and constipation

Hemorrhoids are manifested by the expansion of cavernous vessels, which are located under the mucosa of the large intestine. With this disease, blood circulation in the perineum and small pelvis is disturbed.

The diet for constipation and hemorrhoids excludes from the diet products that increase blood flow in the small pelvis so as not to provoke venous overflow and the appearance of nodes. It is recommended when using hemorrhoids to eat foods that are high in fiber (vegetables, cereals, bran). Fiber softens the contents of the intestines, lowers cholesterol, removes toxins.

During treatment, it is important to observe the diet, so that the body began to work on the system. Due to the strict regime in nutrition, the process of bowel evacuation is established and occurs approximately at the same time. When hemorrhoids show a diet enriched with vegetables, fruits, cereals, sour-milk products that help to establish the work of the intestines.

When hemorrhoids need to eat up to 6 times a day, in small portions.

Approximately the menu can consist of the following dishes:

  • dairy products.
  • porridge.
  • black bread.
  • vegetables (zucchini, carrots, cucumber, beets) in a stewed or raw form.
  • fruits (prunes, apples, etc.).
  • up to 75g of bran per day.
  • low-fat meat.

With hemorrhoids, you can not use (or maximally limit) the mango, rice, fresh bread and buns, grapes, fried, salted, spicy, fatty, smoked dishes, strong tea, alcohol, starchy vegetables (potatoes).

trusted-source[23], [24], [25], [26]

Diet with flatulence and constipation

With flatulence, it is necessary to exclude foods that promote gas formation in the intestine, first of all, it is necessary to exclude dishes with a high content of spices.

The food should be boiled, stewed or steamed, except this dish should be eaten warm, because hot or cold foods can trigger a swelling. With flatulence, beans, carbonated beverages, raisins, grapes, pears, fatty meats, as well as fatty varieties of fish, pickles, fresh buns, cabbage, rye bread, pearl barley, wheat cereals, cream, milk, smoked products, fried, are also completely excluded from the diet. You can not use a sugar substitute.

Flatulence occurs for various reasons, so a list of prohibited products can be individualized and supplemented or excluded based on the personal experience and recommendations of the treating doctor.

During the day, it is recommended to drink about two liters of liquid, while it is necessary to abandon carbonated drinks, and give preference to ordinary water, herbal teas. If desired, freshly squeezed apple, lemon or orange juice can be added to the water.

Dishes can be seasoned with a little cumin, and for dishes you can prepare yourself a seasoning from a crushed mixture of an equal amount (50 grams) of bay leaf, cumin, salt, if desired, cumin can be replaced with dill. With flatulence, you need to add dairy products, carrots, pomegranates, eggs, soups, stale bread, vegetables, fresh prunes, lean meat, tea, coffee, chocolate, cereals in your diet.

Approximate weekly menu:

Monday:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal or buckwheat, tea
  • Afternoon snack: a sandwich with low-fat cheese.
  • Lunch: soup, steamed vegetables, boiled chicken breast, compote.
  • Lunch: jelly or tea with breadcrumbs
  • Dinner: buckwheat with a piece of boiled meat or steam cutlets, grating carrots with vegetable oil

Tuesday:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal, you can add dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes)
  • Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese, yogurt
  • Lunch: chicken soup, mashed potatoes, boiled fish, tea
  • Lunch: steamed prunes, dried apricots, raisins.
  • Dinner: cabbage rolls

Wednesday:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal or buckwheat snack: muesli with yogurt
  • Lunch: vegetable soup, braised potatoes, boiled meat.
  • Lunch: fruit.
  • Dinner: boiled chicken and salad with fresh vegetables.

Thursday:

  • Breakfast: fruit with yoghurt.
  • Afternoon snack: muesli, a glass of juice.
  • Lunch: mushroom soup, buckwheat with a piece of boiled or stewed fish.
  • Lunch: a glass of low-fat yogurt.
  • Dinner: potato casserole (you can add a little meat), salad with fresh vegetables.

Friday:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal.
  • Snack: yogurt, pancakes.
  • Lunch: soup on vegetable broth, rice with chicken meat.
  • Lunch: fruit.
  • Dinner: vermicelli (optional cheese can be added), salad with fresh vegetables.

Saturday:

  • Breakfast: buckwheat.
  • Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese, compote.
  • Lunch: steamed vegetables with fish, salad.
  • Lunch: baked apple.
  • Dinner: meat with potatoes stew.

Sunday:

  • Breakfast: kefir with sour cream
  • Snack: fruit
  • Lunch: Vegetarian borsch, buckwheat with steamed meatballs
  • Lunch: a glass of yogurt
  • Dinner: stewed chicken meat, vegetable salad.

Dishes should be filled with vegetable oil, fresh herbs. It helps with meteorism seeds or greens of dill.

trusted-source[27], [28], [29]

Constipation after a diet

As a rule, after a diet, constipation appears as a result of dehydration. After the end of the diet, a person often stops drinking the required amount of fluid, which can cause problems with bowel movement.

Also, constipation can be caused by relaxation of the intestine, so it is necessary to stimulate its work with products with fiber (bran, black bread, porridge, fresh vegetables and fruits (preferably without heat treatment) .Baking, sweets, white bread - these products are excluded from the diet (or maximally are limited).

Diet for constipation after a diet should be aimed primarily at stimulating the work of the intestines.

To this end, you need to eat buckwheat or oatmeal on the water for breakfast, if desired, you can add an apple.

Also need to enter into your diet a salad of fresh carrots, beets and an apple with vegetable oil. This salad has a good cleansing effect.

Fresh yogurt also helps to normalize the work of the intestines, but in this case it is worth noting that it is better to prepare yogurt yourself, since on the 2-3 day it has fixing properties.

Diet for constipation in most cases helps to solve such a delicate problem. In some cases, you need to adjust the menu, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body, because the same product in different people can have different effects.

trusted-source[30], [31], [32],

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