How Often Should You Poop?

From the title alone, asking the question how often should you poop, I know what you’re thinking— “No one wants to talk about that!” 

But Beauties, this is why we must talk about it. 

Because pooping is so rarely talked about— even among our closest friends or family members— many people have questions they’re too embarrassed to ask. 

So I’m answering those questions, because we may not like to talk about it, but it’s a natural part of life and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. From time to time, we all deal with problems in this department. Just because it can be difficult to talk about, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t! 

After all, pooping is an integral part of your digestive health and can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. 

If we avoided the uncomfortable questions, we would never get the answers our bodies desperately need to maintain a healthy, active, and constipation-free lifestyle! 

Some of the “awkward” questions often asked are: how often should you poop? Should you poop every day? If not, how often should you go to the bathroom? Are you constipated? How do you treat it? 

Your bathroom habits can tell you a lot about how well your digestive health— and your bodies in general— are functioning. This is why it’s important to pay attention to your elimination habits, especially anything that may be out of the ordinary.

So without further ado, let’s learn about the topic none of us like to bring up but all of us are curious about— healthy bowel habits, and going number two.

Should You Poop Every Day?

As we all know, every person and their body are unique, so it’s hard to define a specific “normal” frequency for regular bowel movements. There really is no set standard when it comes to how often you should have a healthy poop. With that said, the general consensus states that “normal” pooping habits involve going anywhere between once a day and once every three days.

However, I personally feel that “once every three days” is too infrequent. Less frequent bowel movements allow toxicity to build up and fester in your body, which can cause problems.

So How Often Should You Poop?

Ideally, you should have at least one normal bowel movement per day. 

Daily movements keep your colon healthy, and a healthy colon ensures your body is able to absorb the nutrients it needs to keep it running! Don’t be worried if you have an occasional day where you don’t— that’s normal.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, having three or fewer bowel movements per week is considered constipation. Meanwhile, a Healthline survey revealed that nearly half of people poop once a day, while 28 percent go twice a day and 11 percent go every other day. [1, 2]

Pooping isn’t just necessary for your body to get rid of waste, but an indispensable contributor to your overall health. It affects how you feel in your body, which then affects your mood and even your outlook on life. 

If you feel heavy, bloated and “stuck” in your body, that can translate to how you start to feel about your world. In contrast, the feeling of relief after a healthy movement leaves you spirited, energetic, and ready to take on the day!

So it goes without saying that your bowel movement frequency can be a significant sign that something is wrong. And not only that, it’s uncomfortable too.

Related: All About Poop (And How to Tell If You Have Healthy Poop)

How Do I Know If I’m Constipated?

Pooping three or fewer times a week isn’t the only way to identify when you’re constipated. You may also notice that it’s more difficult to make a normal bowel movement, or you have to strain. You may also notice that your stool is more dry, lumpy, or hard. You may even have bloating or stomach pain. 

Regardless, we’ve all been “stuck” with the feeling of desperate frustration when struggling to do something our body should be able to do naturally.

Occasional constipation happens to everyone at one time or another. Constipation can also happen for a variety of reasons— more on these in just a bit. For the most part though, if you’re not experiencing constipation consistently, it’s not something to be too concerned about.  Just listen to your body, and how you feel. 

For some, constipation becomes a chronic problem. Fourteen percent of the general population suffers from chronic constipation. 

Many who have constipation report it has a significant impact on their quality of life, affecting concentration, focus, and work productivity overall!

This is why it’s best to identify the cause of your constipation and make changes as you can. That way, you can address the issue before it impedes your ability to live a healthy, happy life.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation occurs when your large intestine absorbs too much water, preventing stool from being easily eliminated from your body. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to constipation. Some of the most common causes include:

• Taking certain medications— especially anti-depressants and antacids
• Laxative abuse
• Mental and emotional health factors— such as anxiety
• Stress
• Dehydration
• Overuse of caffeine
• Poor nutrition— especially inadequate fiber intake
• Chronic illnesses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease

What Can I Do if I’m Feeling Constipated?

If you’re feeling constipated, take note of any sudden changes to your diet, lifestyle, mental health, or medications you’re taking. That way, you can start getting to the root of the problem and find a solution!

It’s common to occasionally experience changes in your bowel movements. We all have different triggers that can have impact our digestive health. For me, it’s traveling. 

I find that when I’m traveling and my routine is disrupted, my bathroom habits will reflect that. Not to mention, the bathrooms in airplanes aren’t exactly known for privacy and comfort. 

It’s the same when I’m feeling stressed, or going through a string of late-night events, and I can become less regular. I know to expect these changes so I take Detoxy for consistent bowel movements, especially when traveling! 

If your constipation is affecting your life in a noticeable way or lasts longer than a few days, it may be a cause for concern. Thankfully though, constipation can be prevented and cured. 

At the very least, making different food and lifestyle choices will most likely get you back to pooping more regularly! 

How Can I Prevent Constipation?

No one likes to feel constipated. Preventing constipation before it ever starts is always easier than trying to solve it after finding yourself hopelessly straining for a simple bowel movement. 

Make these four simple changes to your diet and routine to help boost your gut health and prevent or treat your constipation.

1. Exercise!

Movement and exercise can impact your bowel movements!

Physical activity encourages peristalsis, which is when your digestive tract pushes digested food through your system so it can be eliminated as stool.

My favorite ways to exercise are walking, hiking, and yoga— your favorites should help keep you regular too!

2. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common cause of constipation, and a big beauty no-no! This is because when you’re dehydrated, your intestines can’t add any water to your stool, causing hard, dry, or lumpy stools.

However, staying hydrated is an excellent way to prevent or treat constipation. Make sure to drink plenty of water, as well as plenty of hydrating beauty foods like cucumbers, coconut water, watermelon, and of course, the glowing green smoothie^Ⓡ!

3. Eat a Healthy, High-Fiber Diet

Many of us have a general idea of the nutritional value of foods we eat every day in terms of macronutrients and caloric content. Fiber, however, is often a forgotten part of the equation. According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, only 5 percent of Americans consume the required amount of fiber each year. [3]

Fiber plays a major role in keeping your bathroom habits regular. Studies have shown that a fiber-rich diet not only softens and bulks up your stool, but can ward off constipation by speeding up the transit of stool in your large intestine.

Men between the ages of 31 and 50 should consume about 38 grams of fiber a day, while women in that age range should eat at least 25 grams daily. Those requirements decrease by about 5 to 8 grams for men and women 51 and older.

Fiber and Fruit

One way to get more fiber in your diet is through a fiber supplement, which can be found at any pharmacy or grocery store. However, I personally recommend first getting as much fiber from your diet as possible.

Remember, supplements are just that— ways to supplement a healthy diet, not to replace one. You need to get most of your fiber through your diet, and use supplements to fill in any gaps.

Prunes are phenomenal for your digestion— not only are they high in fiber, but they’re also a good source of sorbitol. Sorbitol is a carbohydrate that’s structured similarly to sugar, and is a natural laxative.

Apples, pears, and plums are also great choices. They’re all high in fiber, as well as pectin. Pectin can help to soften stool and move it faster through your digestive tract by pulling water into your colon. In fact, one Chinese study found that pectin can improve constipation symptoms as well as boost beneficial bacteria in the gut [4]. Sweet potatoes and citrus fruits are great sources of pectin as well.

Kiwi is another great food to incorporate into your diet if you’re dealing with constipation. In one study, people who ate two kiwifruits daily for a month experienced more spontaneous bowel movements and overall increased satisfaction with their bowel habits.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like kale, mustard greens, and spinach are particularly high in fiber. Another great choice is broccoli, because it contains sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane is a substance that can ease digestion and prevent certain microorganisms that impede digestion from getting out of control. 

One study from the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition revealed that people who ate 20 grams of raw broccoli sprouts every day for four weeks had fewer symptoms of constipation. They also had quicker bowel movements than those who consumed the same amount of alfalfa sprouts [5].

Beans and Legumes

As you may know, beans and legumes— like chickpeas and lentils— are fiber powerhouses that can ease and prevent constipation. Nuts are packed with fiber as well. A 1-ounce serving of almonds, for example, offers 3.5 grams of fiber.

When it comes to fiber-dense foods though, it’s pretty tough to beat chia seeds. 

Chia seeds contain a staggering 10.6 grams of fiber per 1-ounce serving! That’s 42 percent of your daily needs! Not only that, but these seeds can absorb up to 12 times their own weight in water while moving through your GI tract. This means they can help add some bulk to stools, making them easier to pass.

Adding more fiber to your diet is always a plus, but your body may take a little time to adjust to your new fiber intake. I recommend you make these changes gradually to avoid any GI discomfort, like bloating.

All these amazing foods have far more benefits for your body than just improved digestion. They’re also rich in vital vitamins and nutrients that you need for glowing skin, healthy hair, and a strong body and mind.  

4. Take the Right Supplements

Even with exercise, proper hydration, and a high-fiber diet, you may still find yourself feeling irregular sometimes. It happens. When your diet and exercise routines fail to alleviate your digestive issues, the right supplements can help give your digestion an extra boost— and even help prevent constipation.

Detoxy

My Feel Good Detoxy 2.0 is a nutritional supplement that can aid in gentle yet effective elimination of bodily waste and toxins. Plus, it does this without the risks that come with traditional laxatives, like dependency or the potential harm they can inflict on your colon.

Here’s how Detoxy works— it releases a compound called magnesium oxide into your digestive system. This compound helps to loosen and break down acidic waste in your colon and soften your stool. This makes it easier to go to the bathroom without any struggle. 

The best part? 

Detoxy is non-habit-forming and totally safe to use, so you can enhance your detoxification efforts while reducing gas, bloating and constipation without any worrisome drawbacks.

I took it every day for a few years, as I was getting over some serious bloating, Candida and digestive issues. Now I take it several times a week still to keep my body cleared of toxin buildup. 

And when your body is free of toxin buildup, you can feel beautiful inside and out for years to come. :)

Digestive Enzymes

Even when you eat perfectly, sometimes your digestion just needs a boost. That’s where my Feel Good Digestive Enzymes come in. 

Taking enzymes before or during a meal, especially a high-fiber meal or a meal with lots of fat can help your body break down and digest these foods faster. We’ve added 3x more lipase than other leading enzyme formulas to help break down fat because it’s something that so many people struggle to do easily. 

Enzymes will also help you absorb more nutrients from your food, while reducing uncomfortable gas and bloating.

Probiotics

A healthy and balanced gut microbiome is so important for regularity. Along with your high-fiber diet, a probiotic supplement can help keep digestion regular and your gut healthy.

Probiotics are a popular supplement nowadays, but not all supplements are created equal! More traditional probiotics requiring refrigeration or temperature control actually can’t survive your stomach acid and make it to your colon and take root to provide you with their digestive benefits. 

You want these friendly bacteria to get into the gut and take up residence so they can create healthier bacteria balance— and a healthier gut microbiome overall.

That’s why I recommend taking a soil-based probiotic supplement, like my Feel Good SBO Probiotics+.  

SBO probiotics have a hardy protective outer shell that helps them survive the higher body temperatures and live longer in your gut so that they can share their health benefits – like greater regularity. 

Plus, when these good bacteria take up residence in your gut, you digest your food better. When you digest your food better, you also begin to look and feel better!

Related: Why You Should Always Go With Your Gut (When It Comes to Your Gut Health)

Fewer Toxins = More Health, Beauty, and Energy

There are more toxins out in the world than you may realize, Beauty. 

Toxins are foreign agents in your body that can make you sick, and they are not natural. They weigh us down. When we clear them out, our bodies can use their innate intelligence to repair and rejuvenate to a higher degree. 

If you’re struggling with constipation, some simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help you get your gut health back on track. After all, going number two should simply feel like a fact of life— not an unnecessary stressor!

But if you’re experiencing more severe digestive symptoms with your constipation, it’s essential that you see your doctor to rule out any chronic conditions. This includes symptoms like severe abdominal pain, bloody stool, or a lack of bowel movements for four days or more.

So how often should you poop? Remember, once a day is ideal, but it’s perfectly healthy to have a day where you don’t. 

And when it comes to constipation, prevention is the best cure. Preventing constipation with a healthy diet, exercise and the right supplements can keep you feeling regular, even on days where you may not be feeling your bests.

Even with the right prevention, be sure to be mindful of your poop frequency. Then you will be able to monitor any unusual or infrequent movements and address constipation quickly and nip it in the butt! :)

Nobody likes talking about how often they poop, but it’s so important that you do! And I think that you’ll find that once you start discussing it, it’s not nearly as awkward as you might fear.

We’re here for you, Beauty!

Lots of love,

Citations

1. “Constipation.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 July 2021, medlineplus.gov/constipation.html.
2. “American Gut Check: How Our Nation Poops.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Dec. 2017, www.healthline.com/health/american-gut-check.
3. Quagliani, Diane, and Patricia Felt-Gunderson. “Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap: Communication Strategies from a Food and Fiber Summit.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, SAGE Publications, 7 July 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124841/. 
4. Xu, Lin, et al. “Clinical Benefits after Soluble Dietary Fiber Supplementation: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Adults with Slow-Transit Constipation.” Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623312/.
5. Yanaka, Akinori. “Daily Intake of Broccoli Sprouts Normalizes Bowel Habits in Human Healthy Subjects.” Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, The Society for Free Radical Research Japan, Jan. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773831/.

The post How Often Should You Poop? appeared first on Solluna by Kimberly Snyder.