High fiber foods?

[LoveMyBostons]

Lately I've really been straining when I "go." I don't want to depend on a daily stool softener. I only drink water or juices (no pop or coffee) but I could probably increase the amount I drink.

What are some foods I could add to my diet that might help? I don't know much about food science/nutrition but I've heard there are different kinds of fiber and they have different purposes.

I'd also appreciate any cooking/preparation tips for them too.

Thanks!

[dogmum]

I had this problem for most of my life.  I took Benefiber for years, psyllium husks, and finally chia seeds and did find a measure of relief from each for a while.  With time though, I ended up back where I started with each.

Last year I did a complete diet overhaul (paleo) to help with eczema and some digestive issues and went from a "once-each-two/three-days" girl to a "once-or-twice-a-day" girl almost right away.  I haven't had to take anything for this problem since.  The times I've strayed have always brought back this issue, but it was always easily fixed by avoiding the "culprits" which in my case are grains (yes, even whole grains... and I know a bunch of people won't agree with this, but I can only assume they've never tried it). :)  

Some poo humor for this morning.  ;)
http://www.balancedbites.com/PDFs/BOOK_EXTRAS/PracticalPaleo_GuidetoYourPoop.pdf

[karryon55]

Psyllium husks are very good. Just start off with just a teaspoon in with your cereal or yoghurt. Increase to the amount you require. It is a must to drink lots of water with this & drinking is "the" most important thing to do to assist yourself anyway.

I also eat loads of high fibre Vegies daily which are steamed. I find salad Vegies don't contain the fibre you need but the things like Broccoli, Beans, cabbages, Brussel sprouts etc. work well. Sometimes these things just don't work & I have to take something to make me go. Good luck.

[candy158]

Hi guys, my take on this too, I had IBS for years, and it seemed compounded with the MS, and with surgeries that I have had, the bowel isn't working well.  

I do take stool softeners every day, 2 in morning, and 1 at night, and I take Cranberry capsules, and that helps.  But, I find and totally agree with everyone so far, water, water, and more water.  I also mix my breakfast with Activia vanilla yogurt, ( the 100 calorie container), then I add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Bran Buds, and 1/2 c. of sunflower seeds, and 1/4 c. of dried cranberries, and it not only tastes fabulous, ( I just mix it all together in a bowl, a) , and drink a glass of water with it, and it seems to help.  I also eat lots of fruit, and salads, which I also put on sunflower seeds and craisins.  

Hope this might give you some ideas.  I am going to start with the flax seeds into that mix too, cause I need more fiber still, and hope this will work.  Between MS, the medications we are on, and the times we can't exercise, makes it hard to keep things moving.  

Good Luck, and let us know how to do, OK??

((HUGS))
Candy

[mikeysmom1995]

I too added Chiaseeds to my diet and it seems to be helping. I was eating alot of Greek yogurt and drinking alot of kefir which is supposed to be good for your gut, but it was having the opposite effect. I am far less constipated now. Also, water,water,water, helps so much for me.
Good luck, barb

[kwarendorf]

I have had the same difficulty. I was taking a daily stool softener and adding 2 TBS of ground flax seed meal to my food. It did not help.

Working with my naturopathic doc, I eliminated the stool softener and flax. I added 2 TBS of chia seed and drink at least 1.5 liters of water every day. My issue has improved dramatically.  

It may be the chia seed, but more likely it's the water.

Kyle

[SarahL2491]

enough water/liquids is a key component to proper elimination, so don't skimp on that!

[essdipity]

Practically all the stuff that's good for you is high in fiber. Fruits, veggies, some grains, esp. with bran, nuts, legumes, etc. You can find lots of lists and examples on line. Nice to know you're eating healthily while dealing with this issue, and it requires no special purchases or techniques. Just add a little more to each meal. Dried fruits are a yummy source of fiber.

I take after my mother in her later years and have to watch my fiber intake for the opposite reason :-( but that still allows for good nutrition.

ess

[HVAC]

I eat ground flax seed every day. It has to be ground because whole it just passes through.

Alex