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Regulate holiday irregularities
Straining hard on the toilet to no avail? Is nothing helping?
Here are some dietary tips that will help you do the hard work.
If your stomach is distended and swollen with occasional cramps, you know that only one thing will end your misery - a trip to the bathroom!
Constipation, besides being extremely uncomfortable can lead to various diseases –haemorrhoids or hernias – and may even be a symptom of colorectal cancer. Constipation can also be secondary to an underlying disease or due to medication being taken. It is extremely important to see your doctor if you notice any change in your bowel habit.
Many people whose bowel habit is slow take laxatives to speed things up, which is fine for a short while. Although most laxatives are safe for use, over time the intestine may become ‘addicted’ to them (that is also the case with natural laxatives like aloe-vera). As a result, people need to take them in higher doses.
So- if you have a 'lazy' intestine, why not try the following dietary changes. Choose the one that works best for you - after all if it’s working you’re far more likely to stick with it!
Porridge Oats
Oats are rich in dietary fibre, which enhances water absorption into intestine and softens faeces, and, in addition, speeds up their passage.
Our recommendation: cook 4 table spoon of oats with a glass and a half of water. To make it even tastier and increase the laxative qualities, why not cook some dried fruits with a little sugar. Put them on top the porridge when it's ready.
Beetroot
The dietary fibre of the beetroot increase the bulk of the faeces, but in contrast to other vegetables do not make you feel swollen or cause gas. If you suffer Irritable Bowl Syndrome you may find this a good option to improve your bowel motion.
Our recommendation: Cook beetroots in boiling water, chop them into little cubes and add some good quality olive oil and lemon juice.
Watermelon
Watermelons contain lots of water, some sugars and dietary fibre. The water softens the faeces and the sugars increase water absorption into the intestine- and the result resembles diarrhea, a vast amount of liquid like material passing through the intestine.
Our recommendation: eat a slice of watermelon as dessert after a heavy mea
Prunes
Plums contain fibre that stimulates intestinal movements, and they are excellent for people with so called "lazy intestine". Better intestinal motility helps its content to move faster and defaecation to occur more frequently.
Our recommendation: soak 6 prunes overnight, drink the water in the morning and eat the prunes.
Flax seeds
Flax meal is a good source of natural fibre, which helps intestinal motility.
Our recommendation: stir ground flax into a glass of juice or wine. It will motivate your intestine and help you relax.
Fat
If you are on a diet and calculate the fat percentage in your food you must be aware that this also affects the movement of food through the bowel. The intestine must be "lubricated" otherwise its content becomes dry and hard.
Our recommendation: 2 teaspoons of olive oil every morning on empty stomach.
Water
Many instances of constipation are due to dehydration. If you don’t drink enough water, your gut also becomes dehydrated. The amount of water that the body requires depends on weight, physical activity and seasonal temperature
Our recommendation: Drink water throughout the course of the day. A glass of water every 11/2-2 hours is the minimal requirement.