Will Broccoli Soup Help Constipation?

About 4 million Americans visit their doctors every year with complaints about constipation, according to 2007 information from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NDDIC. Generally speaking, you can prevent constipation by eating high-fiber vegetables such as broccoli. But when it comes to broccoli soup, whether or not it can help prevent constipation depends on the ingredients in the soup. If it's made with chicken or vegetable stock, it should improve your bowel movements, but if it's made with cream and loaded with cheddar cheese, you're in trouble.

Constipation

Occasional bouts of hard stools or days without bowel movements are common. These variations are normal. Check with your doctor if self-help measures, such as drinking more water, increasing exercise and eating more fiber, don't improve your bowel movements.
Some symptoms associated with constipation could also indicate more serious diseases, such as colon or rectal cancer. Be sure to see your doctor if you experience bleeding or significant changes in your bowel habits, have a loss of appetite, feel weak or tired, or have frequent or severe stomachaches.

Fiber

Fiber comes in two forms: Soluble fiber, found in foods such as beans, oats and apples, dissolves partially into a jelly-like substance in your digestive system. Insoluble fiber, found in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, doesn't dissolve in your digestive system at all. Both types of fiber help your body retain water in your digestive system. More water means that your stools remain soft and move more easily through your system. Insoluble fiber also adds bulk to your stools, which helps them move more easily. Most people don't consume enough fiber to meet the requirements set by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans of 21 to 25 g per day for women and 30 to 38 g per day for men.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a high-fiber vegetable, along with acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and carrots, among others. One cup of chopped broccoli contains 2.4 g of dietary fiber, putting you well on your way to a high-fiber day. It also has high amounts of vitamins A and C.

Making the Soup

If you are like most people, you'll find that high-fat, low-fiber dairy products, such as heavy cream, whole milk and whole-fat cheese, sometimes cause constipation. Instead of using whole milk and cream in your broccoli soup, use two-thirds chicken or vegetable stock and one-third low-fat milk or soy milk. Don't peel the broccoli or you will lose much of its healthy fiber. Simply cook it in the vegetable stock along with a small onion until it's tender, blend it until it is smooth and creamy and reheat it with the milk. Cooking will not destroy any of the broccoli's fiber.