What can I do if I am constipated?

[Perry]

For constipation try the following:
1) Increase the amount of water you drink every day - water helps pass waste through your system

2) Eat at least 1 large salad per day ( I like it for lunch. )

3) Decrease the amount of red meat and cheese that you are eating - try subbing chicken or fish or some softer meats

4) If you are off of induction try the following products:

a) low carb pasta
b) low carb cereal
c) any product with malitol ( which is a mild laxitive ) - usually the chocolates and the low carb brownies and that stuff

5) If you follow the above and are still constipated try psylum husks ... they taste awful but you will probably have a regular bowl movement the next day ...

6) If you are constipated for more than 3 days or if you are regularly constipated even following the above steps, talk to your doctor because that can be dangerous!!!!!


Also as a note I am not a doctor ... just someone who has done this diet for a while ... so I would confirm with your doctor anyway if you are getting constipated and staying that way.

Constipation occurs when stools are difficult to pass. Some people are overly concerned with the frequency of their bowel movements because they have been taught that a healthy person has a bowel movement every day. This is not true. Most people pass stools anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. If your stools are soft and pass easily, you are not constipated.

Constipation is present if either of the following are present:

You do not take laxatives and you have had 2 or more of the following problems:
Straining with at least 25% of your bowel movements
Feeling that you do not completely empty your bowels 25% of the time
Hard or pelletlike stools at least 25% of the time
Fewer than 3 bowel movements each week
You have fewer than 2 bowel movements each week without other symptoms.

Constipation is more common in people over the age of 65. Factors that contribute to this increase include:

Poor dietary habits.
Decreased muscular activity of the intestinal tract, increasing the time it takes for stool to move through the intestines.
Increased medication use.
Physical problems, such as arthritis, that make sitting on the toilet uncomfortable or painful.
Women report problems with constipation more frequently than men. Constipation is also more common in rural areas, cold climates, and low socioeconomic conditions.

This is from WebMD- you can look it up yourself if you like.

You can add 2T flaxseed meal or even wheat bran according to Dr. Atkins for constipation too.

per 2big4mysize: Read chapter 8 "Fiber: A form of Carbohydrate" in the DANDR.

Fallacy - The Atkins Nutritional Approach causes constipation cause it lacks fiber.
(pg. 104 DANDR)
The Atkins Nutritioanl Approach includes fiber rich foods such as spinach, eggplant, broccoli, asparagus and leafy greens. Dr. Atkins recommends a fiber supplement during the induction phase if you need more fiber. Once you hit OWL you will introduce more veggies and fruits.

Increased exercise will help too!!!!!

2big4my size........

Are you picking the higher fiber veggies from the induction foods lists? jicama is loaded with it. once in 5 days is good and you are eating your husks and flax then you can add more of them but do count your carbs. I eat 1/4 cup every day because that is the amount my body needed to get regular. You can use an OTC veggie based laxative if you need one according to Dr Atkins.

Rules of induction..........#12!!!
If you are constipated, mix a tablespoon or more of psyllium husks in a cup or more of water and drink daily. Or mix ground flaxseed into a shake or sprinkle wheat bran on a salad or vegetables.