Constipation is usually accompanied with bloating. MayoClinic.com defines constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. Normal bowel movements vary from person to person, but if stool is hard in texture and difficult to pass, constipation may be the reason. When feces doesn't expel, it builds up in the colon. A person can then experience bloating and pressure in the abdomen. Keeping hydrated and limiting certain foods may avoid this.
Refined and Processed Foods
People that consume refined and processed foods tend to experience constipation more often. These are foods such as potato chips, pre-packaged dinners and pizza. These food items go through a preparation process in which the natural fiber is removed. A low-fiber diet can cause constipation. Adults should have between 20 and 35 g of fiber a day. A diet with many processed foods may only contain between 5 and 14 g of fiber a day. A person may experience bloating and constipation as a result. If you experience these symptoms, consult with your health-care provider to ensure that it's nothing more that a dietary modification.
Foods High in Animal-Derived Fat
Foods that contain fat that originated from animals are ice cream, cheeses and milk. These foods shouldn't be deleted from the daily diet because they do contain needed nutrients. However, there are options when choosing the fat content of these items. When shopping in the dairy section, read the labels of fat content and choose the low-fat or no-fat options. For instance, skim milk doesn't contain fat. And 1-percent milk has less fat than whole milk. In addition, dairy products are not naturally fiber-rich foods. When eating a bowl of ice cream, add a sliced apple as fruit is high in fiber.
High-Sugar Caffeine Drinks
Caffeine and sugar are two ingredients in many soft drinks and sport drinks. Both can cause dehydration. This will lead to less water in the stool to bulk the colon up. When stools are less bulky, they aren't as soft so they don't pass through the colon with ease. This leads to bloating and constipation. Soft drinks and sport drinks should be consumed in moderation. Instead of other beverages, hydrate your body with plain water.
