This post is only of the most popular post on our entire blog… yup! I know awkward topic but people want to know how to have better poop I guess. So, let’s do this.
Here’s a few questions for you… just to get us going on this very awkward topic!
Do you look at your poop before flushing the toilet?
Do you know how many times a day or week you poop?
What does it smell like?
Do you see food particles in your poop?
Do you have gas?
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Back to the topic of poop….😀
In this episode of our podcast The Beyond The Food Show, we cover in depth the most frequent question we received: how to overcome constipation.
Let’s dive in!
Examine your poop
Have you looked at your poop in the last 24 hours?
Did you even poop in the last 24 hours?
For many people, it is an absolutely abnormal, awkward and bizarre concept to be looking at their poop. Well, rest assured you are not alone.
Now let me share this with you: Once you start to understand the impact poop has on your health, you will never, ever flush again without looking! We have been taught by society that talking about poop is wrong and impolite, but how about if we think of it this way – Is talking about your health wrong and impolite?
The basics
We should all have a bowel movement (a fancy way of saying poop) daily, at a minimum. Anything less than once a day is a sign that something is disconnected from your mouth and your rectum. The longer the time between each bowel movement, the bigger the concerns.
Should it smell?
If you are leaving a “foul” smell behind you, if you have to start the fan after your “bomb”, or your partner or kids want to die when they walk into the bathroom after you’re done, then let me say that’s not a good sign! It shouldn’t smell anything particularly disastrous…
*** This is the first article in a series of two articles that explores all aspects of poop and how it relates to your health. Click here for the other article.***
What should your poop look like?
Have a look at the “Bristol Stool Chart” and read it to analyze your poop.
Type 1:
This first poop illustrates constipation. These little lumps may look friendly, but they require a lot of straining. In this article, we cover 9 tips to cure constipation which is typically caused by an imbalanced diet lacking in fruit, vegetables, fibre and water, and may be caused from a diet high in animal proteins, fats and processed foods. It may also be enhanced by stress, medications, allergies or long-term laxative abuse.
Type 2:
Just like Type 1, an imbalanced diet is usually the cause. This poop is typically heavy and may sink right to the bottom of the bowl, after much straining and effort.
Type 3:
This poop is much healthier than the two above and quite typical of those on a balanced vegetarian diet. It slides easily without leaving marks or strong smells.
Type 4:
This is the optimal poop! Slides easily without having to strain, push too hard, or wait too long. This is typical of individuals on a well-balanced diet including a small amount of high-quality animal protein.
Type 5:
This is a very common form of poop in the North American diet, due to the high content of greasy and fatty foods, alcohol consumption and canned fruits. It’s foul smelling and usually, leaves skid marks on its way out.
Type 6:
Usually, comes with urgency and is contains undigested pieces of food. It looks like refried beans and may come with gas and stomach pains, and is usually lighter in colour.
Type 7:
Needs no explanation. This is diarrhea and may be associated with illness such as food poisoning, food intolerance, parasitic invasions, antibiotic use, laxative abuse, and eating disorder. It requires much rest, water, and may require consultation with a healthcare practitioner.
Next…
What can you do to improve your poop?
You can jump right here and read the next article in the poop series.
Ready to discover how you can transform your health? Learn to trust and respect your innate body wisdom and live confidently right now by checking our programs here.