Relieving Constipation With Nutrition with Best Foods for Constipation
What are the best foods for constipation when going through cancer treatment? If you are wondering if foods can relieve constipation, try high fiber recipes like Southwestern Rice recipe. Constipation is a common side effect of cancer treatment and could be the result of a few factors- the cancer itself, chemotherapy, or other medications, specifically pain medications. In Holly Clegg’s cookbook Eating Well Through Cancer Cookbook, there is a High Fiber Chapter. Suffering with constipation can be a debilitating and painful experience in itself and can negatively affect your nutritional status.
Tips To Improve Constipation During Cancer Treatment with Best Constipation Relief
Hydrate. Another common reason for constipation is dehydration. Your digestive system needs adequate fluids to flush everything out, so make sure you are drinking at least 64 fluid ounces a day, or maybe even more. How do you know you are drinking enough? Fill a gallon jug of water every morning and place it in the refrigerator. The goal is to finish the jug before going to bed for the day. If water is difficult for you to drink, try flavored water, decaf tea, vegetable juice, or 100% fruit juice.
High Fiber Recipes For Foods Relieve Constipation Relief for Constipation and Cancer
Eat more fiber. Along with water, fiber is essential for bowel health. When choosing bread or pasta, choose whole wheat or whole grain. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Try adding more beans and legumes in your diet. Choose brown rice or quinoa over white rice. Enjoy these high fiber recipes like Southwestern Rice recipe or Chicken Taco Salad.
These are simple and delicious ways to increase your fiber intake to help constipation and cancer. As an added plus, you’ll get more protein from the whole grain products as well. Make sure if you increase your fiber, you are drinking enough water. Extra fiber without the added fluids could make your constipation more severe.
Stimulate the Gut With Foods Relieve Constipation
There are foods that can help prevent and alleviate constipation. Eating more prunes and raisins can help, as well as drinking prune juice, apple juice, or black cherry juice. Hot liquids, such as decaf tea, Senna tea, and decaf coffee, can also help get your digestive system moving. Senna is a mild laxative that you commonly find in medications for constipation, but you can also find Senna tea at your fully stocked grocery store. Don’t go overboard though- too much of these foods could cause a sudden onset of diarrhea.
Get Moving To Help Constipation
When you do not move your body, it is difficult for your bowels to move as well. Any activity is good, whether it is walking around the block, yoga, or gardening, the movement will help stimulate your digestive system and get your bowels working. Not only will activity promote bowel health, it could also stimulate your appetite. Aim for at least 15 minutes of physical activity per day.
Talk to Your Healthcare Team
Your healthcare team can recommend a bowel regimen of stool softeners and/or laxatives to take regularly to prevent and treat constipation. It is usually recommended to take medications a couple times per day to stay on top of it.
For More Information on Best Foods For Constipation Relief Contact Savor Health
For more information, you can visit Savor Health and check out their blog with many more articles that discuss constipation and other cancer related topics. Here’s another article on my healthy cooking blog for fatigue and cancer and to help manage nausea.
| Servings 8 (1 cup) servings |
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn drained (or frozen corn)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies
- 2 cups shredded reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese divided
- 1 bunch green onions chopped (reserving 2 tablespoons)
- 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced black olives drained
- 1 cup nonfat sour cream
Ingredients
|
- Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 2-quart oblong baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine all ingredients using 1 3/4 cups cheese in prepared dish. Bake 45-50 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons green onions. Return to oven 5 minutes or until cheese melted.
Per Serving: Calories 269 Calories from fat 23% Fat 7g Saturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 23mg Sodium 720mg Carbohydrate 38g Dietary Fiber 5g Sugars 5g Protein 14g Dietary Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 1/2 lean meat
Terrific Tip: Put mixture into a wrap for a mouthwatering meatless meal.
Nutrition Nugget: Give brown rice a try for a nutritional boost. Switching from brown rice to white rice is such an easy transition and look at the difference in the amount of fiber. 1 cup white rice < 1 g fiber; 1 cup brown rice = 3 g fiber
Nutritional information per serving: Calories 269 Calories from fat 23% Fat 7g Saturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 23mg Sodium 720mg Carbohydrate 38g Dietary Fiber 5g Sugars 5g Protein 14g Dietary Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 1/2 lean meat
Stock Your Kitchen for This Recipe
CorningWare SimplyLite 2-Quart Oblong Baking Dish with Plastic Lid
Good Cook 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl SetStainless Steel Measuring Cups Set – 6 Piece Stackable Set with Spout
Get All of Holly’s Healthy Easy Cookbooks
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