Short fast diet for stubborn constipation

Please describe what is short fast for four or five days stand for? Is this mean not eating at all or eating less. Actually I have a long standing and stubborn constipation. Kindly advise?
(November 2, 2010)

Constipation Diet Plan

Constipation can be described as a condition which is characterized by the difficulty in passing stools. This condition is commonly seen in people of all ages, across the globe. In some people, constipation is a one time occurrence, which occurs in reaction to the consumption of certain foods or medication. However, in others it can be a chronic problem, resulting in bleeding while passing stools, piles and hemorrhoids. There are several factors that could lead to constipation, which include eating a diet that is low in fiber and other nutrients, dehydration, poor defecation techniques, irritable bowel syndrome and lack of adequate physical activity to name a few.


Although this condition is not really serious, it could lead to a lot of pain and discomfort, especially during the defecation process. Moreover if chronic constipation n is not checked or controlled in time, it could lead to health complications too. In some people, the problem is so acute that they need to consult a doctor, for medical constipation treatment options. However, if the problem is not too serious, then it is possible to control it, using a constipation diet, or other natural constipation remedies.

Constipation diet

A constipation diet generally includes those foods that help add bulk to the stools, making them easier to pass. There are also certain foods that aggravate the constipation problem and therefore, they are restricted or eliminated in a constipation diet, depending on how severe the condition is. People often wonder if there is a connection between the high consumption of meat and constipation. Since animal products do not contain any fiber, they cannot help relieve constipation in any way. Therefore, people who suffer from constipation problems should limit their consumption of meat and eat more plant based foods, which are higher in fiber and add bulk to the stool, thereby softening them. The amount of fiber in a regular diet should be increased for people who suffer from constipation. Consuming at least 30 grams of fiber is very important for the proper functioning of the digestive system. Given below are some of the foods that are high in fiber and therefore should be included in a constipation diet:

• Whole grains and cereals such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, wheat bran, breakfast cereals, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta and so on. Legumes and dried beans are also great sources of fiber and therefore, kidney beans, black eye beans, navy beans, pinto beans, lima beans, white beans and black beans should be an integral part of every constipation diet plan.
• Many fruits and vegetables are high in fiber too and therefore, a good constipation diet should contain a lot of fruits such as pear, papaya, grapes, plums, kiwi, apples, guavas, apricots, avocados, mangos, dates, peaches and figs. Vegetables like peppers, radish, beans, cucumbers, cabbage, turnips, okra, spinach, broccoli, beetroot, asparagus, peas, sprouts, carrots and asparagus are also high in fiber and can help reduce constipation problems.
• Nuts and seeds like almonds, peanuts, chestnuts, walnuts, coconuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and flaxseed can work wonders in reducing constipation problems.

Apart from high-fiber foods, the consumption of fluids is also important for getting rid of constipation. Hence, it is important to drink at least 8 glasses of water, as well as other fluids such as fresh juice, coconut water, barley water, herbal tea and clear soup. Skim milk and plain yogurt are also very helpful for reducing constipation.

Foods that should be avoided in a constipation diet are those that contain refined flour. Hence, white break, cakes, cookies, white pasta and other baked items should be strictly avoided by people who suffer from constipation.

In case the constipation remedies do not help relieve the condition, it may be advisable to consult a doctor, for medical treatment options.

Fasting basically means abstaining from partaking any food or drinks, or both, for a certain period of time. This period of time can vary from just one day to four or five days, or they can last up to 40 days as well. A short fast for four or five days could entail abstaining totally from all kinds of food, abstaining from only a certain type of food, or else having only one meal throughout the day. This kind of fasting usually depends on your reason for doing it. The reason for this kind of fasting, in most cases, is usually based in religious rituals. However, sometimes, the reasons could be medical treatments, such as, undergoing a diagnostic fast (anything between 10 to 64 hours) to investigate a problem like hypoglycemia.

Constipation, on the other hand, is a physical condition where it is difficult for a person to have smooth bowel movements. During constipation the bowel movements are usually hard, in very small quantities, and highly irregular. Constipation usually occurs amongst people who have poor and unhealthy eating habits. If you want to get rid of constipation, the first thing that you need to do is improve your eating habits. Firstly, you need to eat your meals at fixed, regular hours so that your digestive system is not overworked and the food is digested properly. Secondly, as part of your regular diet, you need to include foods that have high fibrous properties. Fibrous foods help to keep the bowel movements running smoothly. Some of the foods that are rich in fiber and can be easily included in your diet are papayas, pears, figs, prunes, and peaches. A word of caution, eat papayas only in the mornings, as they take a long time to digest.

Apart from this, make sure you drink as much liquid as possible - both water and juices -as they help to move things smoothly along in the intestine. Drinking warm milk also helps as milk is considered to be a mild laxative. But make sure it is warm milk and not cold, as warm milk provides better results. If the constipation is extremely stubborn, add a tablespoon of castor oil to the warm milk and drink it every 2-3 days. Castor oil also has medicinal properties which will take care of any infection or inflammation in the intestines. Along with this, walk for half an hour everyday. This too will prove beneficial.