If you know me in real life, most likely you already know that my “bowl health” is very important to me!  While yes, it might be a really gross thing to talk about, it is so important!   You can tell so much about what is going on inside your body by your bowl patterns.

What is considered to be a normal bowel routine? While everyones bowel patterns are different, it is considered normal to have a bowel movement at most one to three times a day, or at the least three times a week.  You should never let yourself go more than 3 days without a bowel movement.

So now you are thinking I know what is normal, how can I get a better bowel patter?

First of all make sure you are drinking plenty of water!  Fluids are absorbed in the large intestine (also know as the colon).  The more fluids readily available to your colon, the less it needs to work to absorb them.  Do you see where I am going here…the harder the colon has to work to draw out the necessary fluids your body needs, the harder you’ll have to work to get the waste it produces out. (Gross, I know, but so true.)

After Fluid comes and other F…Fiber!

Fiber helps to keep everything moving down and out.  Most people should aim for 25–35 grams of fiber a day.  An added bonus to fiber is that it keeps you fuller longer as well as slowing down the absorption of sugar and the release of those sugars into your bloodstream.

Here is a list of food that are great for your gut and bowels.

Avocados

Apples

Sweet Potatoes (click HERE for a great roasted sweet potato recipe!)

Raspberries and Black berries

Chia seeds

Melons
watermelon
musk melon (cantaloupe)
honey dew

Edamame

Pears

Lentils

Beans:
Garbanzo Beans
Navy Beans
Black Beans
White Beans
Kidney Beans

Broccoli

Prunes

Grapefruit

Oranges

Coffee-while it doesn’t have any fiber and actually acts as a diuretic which means it takes fluid away and doesn’t add any.  Coffee actually helps with peristalsis which helps to get the bowels moving.

Dark Leafy Greens

Add these things to your shopping list and you will be moving it too in no time!

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