Foods that are laxative

[Mustardfan]

I’ve got sciatica and pooping is painful right now, and my poops are quite hard. I could take a laxative to help this, but would like to change my diet first. I already eat home cooked food with lots of vegetables, and an apple a day, sometimes other fruit. I also exercise a lot and drink a lot of water. I’ve stewed plums and rhubarb, but it doesn’t seem to have helped. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Dried apricots. Best soaked if possible

A box of sugar free sweets from Aldi..
Ime.. Make sure you are at home if you try this method...

Coffee

Lentils will work well

Those M&S sweets with no sugar - I think it’s the sorbitol artificial sweetener that is the laxative.

This. You can buy mugs that say 'first I will have my coffee, then I will have a shit'

Sounds like you’re doing a lot of the right things. Add in some shredded wheat or similar for breakfast and a kiwi?

Prunes. Either soft dried prunes, tinned prunes or prune juice. I eat 3 or 4 every morning and have never been constipated since I started.
I have to take a drug which has constipation as a known side effect. I was prescribed lactulose but have managed to stop itbecause of prunes.

Prunes
Pineapple
Fresh dates
Leeks in garlicky onion sauce
Savoy cabbage
Sliced banana, 2tbs muesli, 3tbs greek yoghurt

Singly or in combination they will do the trick. May I gently suggest you don't strike a light

Jerusalem artichokes have a very laxative effect. They are called fartichokes.

Pears. Work every time!

Diet is one thing, but the physical position you poo in is equally as important. Look up 'squatty potty'. Other brands available and the same effect can be made using those bathroom steps, large tins or anything to lift your feet up. I got the most dreadful constipation during pregnancy and lifting my feet up made a massive difference- instantly, because it straightens the bowel out!

Have a double espresso

I came on to say this! The lemon sherbert ones are so moreish but ohh the next few hours were not pleasant!

Don't overdo them though! One year I grew a glut, so made jerusalem artichoke soup as an entree, then also served them with the main. OMG- the flatulence and stomach pains from wind were dreadful! 😬

Spinach

Dried figs .. a friend made me a delicious fig cake .. with unexpected side effect

I swear by satsumas or any easy peeler orange type thing. 3 a day, plus your usual fruit and veg. I wouldn't say they are laxative but let's just say everything runs smoothly.

Thanks for all the quick replies. I prefer plums to prunes, and I assumed that plums would work as well as they’re the same thing, or am I wrong about that? I thought bananas stuffed you up? Am I wrong about that too?

Red peppers

Sugar free sweets/chocolate with the warning "excessive consumption may cause laxative effects"

Belly massage.

No I'm pretty sure plums don't work as well as prunes. I could eat plums all day without the effect that 4 prunes have.
Remember that most people won't suffer chronic constipation and any extra fruit or sorbitol will give them the runs.

Ripe bananas help, unripe hinder. You can tell I've studied this 😂

Dried figs, lentils, prunes, bean sprouts, any fermented vegetable like sauerkraut/kimchi etc. Salad. Flaxseeds. Lots of water with any of the above.

Fruit
Lots of water
And as other have said, sugar-free chewing gum or sweets containing xylitol

Linseeds soaked overnight are really effective.
Also, salty liquorice, the proper kind from the Nordic countries.
I would recommend the linseed if it's for longterm use though!