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Original poster

Foods that are laxative

109 replies

Mustardfan · 30/05/2023 22:14

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.

OP posts:
FlamingoQueen · 30/05/2023 23:22

Sugar free polos and (not at the same time), green tea.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 30/05/2023 23:27

A visit to East Anglia. I think it's the water.

Otherwise, liquorice and strong coffee.

Surely2023IsTheYearForMyRainbowBaby · 30/05/2023 23:28

A full measuring cap of lactulose followed by a big glass of prune juice. Another definitely don't stray too far from the toilet. It gushed out of me like liquid bloody lava. Even worse my Sisters ex boyfriend was staying over for the first time too and her bedroom was smack opposite the toilet.

LadyGAgain · 30/05/2023 23:44

Chillies.
Red wine.
Eggs.

SugarAndSpiceIsNice · 30/05/2023 23:52

Several cups of black tea with no milk and sugar.

bonfirebash · 30/05/2023 23:55

Tinned pears, drink the juice too

justasoul · 30/05/2023 23:58

Papaya is magic stuff Grin

friendlylurker · 31/05/2023 00:00

Olive oil

getafringenotbotox · 31/05/2023 00:04

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 30/05/2023 22:16

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

Haha.

I ate a full packet of these once without knowing that sorbitol doesn't agree with me.

FeigningConcern · 31/05/2023 00:13

I have a lot of experience with this!

Best things I found:

  • Linseeds tbsp of - MUST be taken with LOTS of water.
  • Vitamin c tablets are great.
  • Generally improving fibre content. You should aim for 30g a day but that is surprisingly difficult!
  • Coffee gets things moving but doesn't work on it's on if it's hard.

As PPs have said, very important to get a poo stool! Otherwise you'll be fighting against a muscle looped around your bowel to prevent anything coming out (and you might give yourself diverticulitis!).

semideponent · 31/05/2023 00:16

Leek water is good. I don't get stomach cramps with it, unlike some of the suggestions here.

pogostickplastique · 31/05/2023 00:19

Appletiser

CeliaNorth · 31/05/2023 00:24

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

Yes, sorbitol will do it. I bought some jam intended for people with diabetes once, by mistake. I had one slice of bread with jam on it. Not an experience I care to repeat. I threw the rest of the jar away.

Another thing that had an unintended effect on me was one of those fruit flavoured spring waters - I think it was partly because I was thirsty and I drank it quickly straight from the fridge.

ATerrorofLeftovers · 31/05/2023 00:34

Prunes, pears, lentils, oats.

Magnesium citrate supplements are magical. You can eat what you like if you take those and will never have a problem.

MumofSpud · 31/05/2023 00:51

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 30/05/2023 22:16

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

Yes! Those little boxes of sugar free hard boiled toffees (Asda check outs)
Strawberries
Mints

SgtBilko · 31/05/2023 08:25

Much better for your gut microbiome to increase eating fibre full foods and a large variety of fruit and veg, which includes things like nuts and seeds. Although Aldi sweets might work, they aren’t actually very good for you!

SallyWD · 31/05/2023 08:29

All bran. I've had a lifetime of construction and eat a high fibre diet. All Bran is what works best for me.

ODFODeary · 31/05/2023 08:29

Beetroots
Makes you wee look pretty too = bonus 😉

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/05/2023 08:31

Papaya for gently moving everything through (and it comes out smelling slightly of papaya).

Tinned prunes if you want a more definite laxative effect.

Tesco own brand Fruit and Fibre if you want to be doubled up in pain and destroying the toilet bowl. I can't really recommend that option.

DeathBecomesHer · 31/05/2023 09:43

coke

ichundich · 31/05/2023 09:53

SgtBilko · 31/05/2023 08:25

Much better for your gut microbiome to increase eating fibre full foods and a large variety of fruit and veg, which includes things like nuts and seeds. Although Aldi sweets might work, they aren’t actually very good for you!

Agreed; I've had awful cramps from them!

mibbelucieachwell · 31/05/2023 09:57

As pps have said, coffee will stimulate a bowel movement BUT it hardens the stool so might be better to wait until your current situation has improved a bit before using coffee for its laxative properties.

Lessoftheold · 31/05/2023 10:05

ATerrorofLeftovers · 31/05/2023 00:34

Prunes, pears, lentils, oats.

Magnesium citrate supplements are magical. You can eat what you like if you take those and will never have a problem.

Magnesium works like magic for me too, it's quite honestly changed my life.

Lellochip · 31/05/2023 10:14

Lessoftheold · 31/05/2023 10:05

Magnesium works like magic for me too, it's quite honestly changed my life.

Show quote history

It does nothing for me, was taking it because I was supplementing vit D, and was hoping for some bonus side effects, but sadly not!

Gingernaut · 31/05/2023 10:14

Lots of sugar free gum or sugar free sweets.

Anything that says "excessive consumption can have laxative effects" in small print.

They're not kidding....