Key Takeaways
- Constipation affects 16 to 33% of the adult population in the United States.
- Constipation solutions involve increased fluid and fiber intake, physical activity, and laxative use if needed. Addressing the root cause is essential.
- Learn how MiraLAX works and ways to increase its effectiveness on constipation relief.
About 16% of United States adults have constipation, with the rate increasing to 33% in adults 60 years old and older.
Constipation is having dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass, and you may have fewer than three bowel movements per week.
Constipation is not a disease but a symptom of another health condition or a reflection of your diet and lifestyle.
Many people turn to over-the-counter laxative medications like MiraLAX to resolve their constipation.
Read more on how certain foods can interact with MiraLAX and affect its effectiveness.
Avoid these top foods to ensure you get the most out of your MiraLAX treatment and prevent constipation from the start.
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Top 5 Foods to Avoid While Taking MiraLAX
Being constipated is uncomfortable, and you want it resolved quickly so you can feel better and get back to your everyday life.
To prevent constipation, avoid these foods while taking MiraLAX.
1. High-Fat Foods
High-fat foods and diets slow gastric emptying in healthy individuals, prolonging food's stay in the stomach.
When resolving constipation, food and liquids should leave the stomach and transition to the intestines to encourage the body to have a bowel movement.
Consuming high-fat foods could slow the delivery of the MiraLAX to the intestines, where it will work on resolving constipation.
High-fat foods include fried foods, cakes, desserts, ice cream, high-fat meats, butter, margarine, oils, fast foods, high-fat dairy, and cheese.
2. Sugar
The American (or Western) Diet is described as high fat, high sugar, excess salt, and limited fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
Based on results from a 2022 study looking at dietary factors and constipation in adults, people eating this way tend to have higher rates of constipation. High intake of sugary foods was associated with higher constipation rates.
Sugary foods include chocolate, pre-packaged snack cakes, ice cream, candy, breakfast cereal, cakes, soda, fruit drinks, sweetened tea, and sweetened coffee.
3. Fried Foods
Fried foods are also high in fat, have a slower digestion rate, and are low in fiber.
A typical fried meal doesn’t include fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
The breading is often white flour and absorbs even more oil during frying.
Fiber helps attract water and adds bulk to stools, allowing them to pass easily through the digestive system.
Fried foods include onion rings, french fries, donuts, breaded meats, and potato chips.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol causes dehydration due to an increased production of urine, and it dilates blood vessels, which leads to more fluid loss through the skin and evaporation.
Dehydration affects the water content of stools. It’s more challenging for the body to push hard stools through the intestines. Even a slight 2% change in the water content of stools will slow stool movement.
When taking MiraLAX, it is important to drink plenty of water. This osmotic laxative draws more water into the intestines. If dehydrated, this process won’t work well and could worsen dehydration as it draws more water from your other systems to your intestines.
5. Dairy
Dairy can contribute to constipation in two ways–the fat content or lactose intolerance.
High-fat dairy products like cheese and ice cream can slow gastric emptying like other high-fat foods.
Typically, diarrhea is the common side effect of lactose intolerance, but in one-third of people, lactose intolerance causes constipation.
Consider trialing lactose-free dairy products or removing dairy from your diet if you notice dairy causing constipation.
Working with a registered dietitian can ensure you meet your nutrient needs when removing dairy temporarily or permanently.
How Does Miralax Work?
MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative that draws water into the intestines, softening hard stools and unblocking your system without cramping or the sudden urgency to use the restroom. Osmotic laxatives work in one to three days.
There are many types of laxatives, each working differently. Some add bulk (or fiber) to your stool; some stimulate the intestinal muscles to contract, while others lubricate stools or allow water to soften stools.
Using laxatives shouldn’t be the sole treatment for constipation.
First, try diet and lifestyle changes like adding fiber-rich foods and adequate fluid.
If these changes don’t help, laxatives are recommended to facilitate a bowel movement.
Further evaluation by your healthcare provider can help identify causes of constipation.
Foods To Eat That Prevent Constipation
The average American does not eat enough fiber rich foods like fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation.
Adequate water and increased fiber intake are important to ensure good movement through the intestines.
Fiber-Rich Foods
Women should consume about 25 grams of fiber daily, while men should aim for 38 grams. Most people only consume about half the recommended amount.
Aiming for four or five servings of fruit or vegetables, plus some whole grains and beans, will help you meet your fiber goals.
A piece of fruit (banana, apple, or orange) provides about 3 g of fiber, and one-half cup of black beans or chickpeas contains about 7 g of fiber.
Add fiber-rich foods to each meal or snack for a simple fiber-boosting solution.
Here is a of foods that help prevent and treat constipation:
Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
- All berries
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Figs
- Mangoes
- Pears
- Peaches
- Prunes
- Nectarines
- Apricots
- Plums
Vegetables
- Edamame
- Sweet or white potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Artichokes
- Spinach
- Green beans
Beans and Legumes
- Black beans
- Lentils
- Kidney beans
- Chickpeas or garbanzo beans
- Bean-based pasta
- Pinto beans
- Navy beans
Whole Grains
- Oatmeal
- Quinoa
- Popcorn
- Whole-grain cereal or bread
- Bran flakes
- Whole-wheat tortillas
Nuts and Seeds
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia or ground flax seeds
Other Lifestyle Recommendations For Constipation Relief
Hydrate
Aim for eight glasses of water (64 ounces daily).
Anything liquid at room temperature counts towards your fluid intake.
Choose foods that naturally contain more water, like fruits and vegetables.
Exercise
Physical activity helps move stool through your intestines.
Any movement is helpful—try walking, gardening, or tidying up your house. Start small and pick things you enjoy.
Listen To Your Body.some text
Don’t ignore signals from your body telling you to have a bowel movement. When you have the urge, use the restroom.
Takeaway
Constipation management involves many aspects of life, including fluid intake, diet and fiber content, physical activity, and laxative medications.
MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative that can help pull water into the intestines to soften stools without cramping or sudden urges.
It is a good option if diet and lifestyle changes have not resulted in a bowel movement.
Avoid consuming high-fat foods, excess sugar, fast foods, certain dairy products, and alcohol when trying to prevent or resolve constipation.
These foods can make it challenging for your body to have a bowel movement and delay the effect of MiraLAX.
Try adding water, high-fiber foods, and exercise for regular bowel movements.
How A Dietitian Can Help
Working with a registered dietitian can provide expert, individualized nutrition guidance while managing constipation with diet, lifestyle, and medications.
A Nourish dietitian looks at the whole picture to help find solutions that bring you closer to your health goals and feel your best.
Dietitians are uniquely suited to help you create meal plans and understand how medications like MiraLAX work alongside them.
Here are some questions to ask when working with a registered dietitian.
- How do I learn about ways a dietitian will help with constipation?
- How many times should I have a bowel movement each day?
- I need a list of the best high-fiber foods for constipation – can you help me find one?
Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.
Do you have any of these insurances?
Why Join Nourish's RD Network
Frequently Asked Questions
Avoid consuming high-fat foods, excess sugar, fast foods, certain dairy products, and alcohol when trying to prevent or resolve constipation.
These foods can make it challenging for your body to have a bowel movement and delay the effect of MiraLAX.
Mix MiraLAX with water, juice, or unsweetened tea or coffee.
Some people have no issues mixing with milk, but it is generally best to avoid mixing with it.
Yes, you can eat salad while taking MiraLAX. Salad is a high-fiber vegetable that provides bulk and water to stools, helping alleviate constipation.
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