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Foods that Make You Poop: What To Eat When You’re Constipated

January 9, 2024
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by Alexandria Duron: Yes, constipation is a little awkward to talk about, but it’s way worse to suffer in silence…

And you’re far from alone if you commonly experience the telltale signs: bloating, pain when you try to poop, and trouble relieving yourself regularly. In fact, 42 million Americans deal with constipation every year.

Pinpointing what’s causing you to be plugged up can be tricky. Traveling a lot, changing your work schedule, and skipping workouts all can cause a change in your bathroom habits, says Jordan Karlitz, M.D., a gastroenterologist and assistant clinical professor at Tulane University School of Medicine.

But the biggest constipation culprit is what you eat—and that’s where the “F” word comes in. “The key is having enough fiber in your diet,” Karlitz says. “You want a good balance of soluble and insoluble fiber as well as enough water intake.”

Insoluble fiber bulks up stool, which makes it easier to pass through your system, while soluble fiber attracts water, which helps your body process the fiber without discomfort, says Gina Hassick, R.D. Just be sure to add fiber to your diet slowly to let your body adjust without gas and stomach pain, Hassick says. The next time you need help keeping things moving, turn to the 11 foods that help you poop below.

Foods That Make You Poop

1. Oatmeal

The oat grains in oatmeal contain soluble fiber that help with digestive issues and support heart health—talk about a win-win! And it’s hard to be bored with oatmeal when you have all of these ideas to take it from ordinary to outstanding.

2. Water

H20 can’t stop, won’t stop with the health benefits. It not only keeps you hydrated, it also helps make bowel movements more regular. Yet another reason to hit the water cooler, stat.

3. High-Fiber Cereal

Start your day right with a bowl of high-fiber cereal. Just make sure the brand you pick contains 5 or more grams of fiber per serving, like All Bran and Fiber 1, Karlitz says.

4. Whole-Wheat Bread

Ditching white bread for the whole-wheat variety gives you an added dose of antioxidants and important nutrients—one of which is insoluble fiber. The average slice of whole-wheat bread has nearly 2 grams of fiber, more than double what you get in white bread. Whole-wheat bread: 1. White bread: 0.

5. Strawberries

Just another reason to get your fill of nature’s candy. Strawberries are high in fiber, thanks to their edible seeds. Ripe bananas also have a substantial amount of soluble fiber, which Hassick says can help push waste through the bowels (you really needed that visual, didn’t you?).

6. Almonds

With heart-healthy fats and generally good-for-you attributes, nuts are no doubt small but mighty—and almonds also come with a dose of soluble fiber. Two handfuls (23 almonds for those who are counting) have 3.5 grams of fiber.

7. Broccoli

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Research suggests that if you don’t like veggies (and fruit for that matter), you’re much more likely to develop constipation. So it should come as no surprise that vegetables made the cut here. Broccoli packs 5.1 grams of insoluble fiber per cup, so you should probably listen to mom about that whole eat-your-greens thing.

8. Ground Flaxseed

These little guys may be the single easiest way to sneak more fiber into your diet. Just one tablespoon contains 2.8 grams of soluble fiber, and because they’re super versatile, they can basically be added to anything from smoothies to salads to baked goods. Bonus: Flaxseeds are also high in omega-3s, so you’ll be helping out your heart too!

9. Popcorn

As far as cravings go, popcorn is one of the healthier ones—provided you don’t load it with butter and salt. Plus, it’s a good thing to reach for when you’re plugged up. Air-popped popcorn has about 1 gram of fiber per cup, and with just 31 calories, it’s a-OK to dig in.

10. Black Beans

Sure, we all joke that beans make you toot, but they do a little more than that. They’re solid sources of soluble fiber—1 cup of boiled black beans contains a whopping 15 grams of fiber—making trips to the bathroom much more pleasant.

11. Yogurt

While experts recommend staying away from most dairy products(yes, that includes ice cream), if you’re battling constipation, yogurt may be the exception to the rule. The lactobacillus bacteria in yogurt can help keep you regular, Hassick says. Plus, research suggests that probiotics keep things running smoothly.

12. Prunes

There’s a reason doctors tell you to drink prune juice when you’re plugged up. The dried fruit contains sorbitol and dihydrophenylisatin, which can help alleviate constipation, says Justin Robinson, R.D., founder of Venn Performance Coaching and a Greatist expert.

What to Watch Out For

Be careful with the pills you pop. Some meds, including antacids and iron supplements, are known constipation culprits. Foods won’t cause constipation directly, Karlitz says, but you still want to make sure you’re getting enough fiber and water in your diet.