You may be wondering “how can I have a better poop?”
On Instagram @AndreaHardyRD, I talk all about some simple tips to get your guts feeling better – whether you struggle with diarrhea, constipation, or both!
Better Poops Tip 1
Getting enough fibre. Fibre is the ‘great regulator’. It helps to regulate normal, satisfying bowel movements by providing bulk and regulating how quickly things move through your gut. Because nothing is worse than an unsatisfactory BM – am I right?
Better Poops Tip 2
Bathroom routines – a very underrated part of a good bowel movement. We’re all in a rush – I get it! But toilet time is something we can build into our habits to help us feel better. For 5 minutes a day, focusing on proper positioning (knees above hips) and deep belly breathing to relax the diaphragm and pelvic floor can help you have a better poop!
Better Poops Tip 3
Connect. How embarrassing is it to talk about our bowels? I want to destigmatize that! Connect with your doctor, dietitian, and other evidence-based sources of information and support to help you with your nutrition and wellness.
How often should I be having a bowel movement?
How often should I be having a bowel movement is one of the most common questions I get! 💩
Interestingly – the more digestive issues a person has, the more fixated they tend to be on seeking out ‘bowel perfection’. I’m hoping this post creates more ease around your bowel habits!
How many poops a day is normal?
Normal bowel habits are defined as a bowel movement every 3 days to up to 3 times a day. I see a lot of people PANIC 😱 if they miss a day of BM, or have more than 1 BM per day, and assume something is wrong. Just like everything else in our bodies, it’s completely normal to have some variance. You might have 2 BM’s one day, and then go a day or two without one. This is normal – no need to panic or fixate! (this goes for stool consistency too!)
HOWEVER…
If your bowels are causing you distress or discomfort within this ‘average’ frequency, there are definitely things you can do to improve how often you have a bowel movement.
For example – my IBS-D patients may have 3 BM’s per day, but experience a lot of urgency and stress around their BM’s. Or, my IBS-C patients know, if they miss a day of bowel movement, they can easily go another 5 as the stool hardens in their colon and worsens their constipation.
Dietitians Can Help with Bowel Habits
This is why having a dietitian on your team is so important. Simple nutrition & lifestyle strategies can help to regulate normal and comfortable bowel movements and find what works for you. Plus – we can help to develop some ‘calm’ around variance in bowel habits – something that is often really distressing to people! 😌
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