About 16% of adults in the United States experience constipation, a common condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements and stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. This percentage increases to approximately 33% in adults aged 60 and older. While not a disease itself, constipation is often a symptom of underlying health issues or reflects dietary and lifestyle habits.
Many individuals seek over-the-counter solutions like MiraLAX to alleviate constipation. MiraLAX is a well-known laxative that can provide relief. However, certain dietary choices can interfere with its effectiveness. To ensure you get the most out of your MiraLAX treatment and prevent constipation from recurring, it’s important to be mindful of your diet.
This article will guide you through the top Foods To Avoid While Taking Miralax, helping you to effectively combat constipation and improve your digestive health.
Top 5 Foods to Avoid While Taking MiraLAX
Constipation can be a bothersome condition, disrupting your comfort and daily routine. When you’re seeking quick relief with MiraLAX, avoiding certain foods can significantly enhance its effectiveness. Here are five key food categories to steer clear of while taking MiraLAX to ensure optimal results and prevent further digestive discomfort.
1. High-Fat Foods
High-fat foods are known to slow down gastric emptying, which is the process of food moving from your stomach to your intestines. When you are trying to relieve constipation, it’s important for food and liquids to move through your digestive system efficiently to encourage bowel movements.
Consuming high-fat foods can delay the transit of MiraLAX to your intestines, the very place where it works to ease constipation. By slowing down digestion, these foods can reduce the effectiveness of MiraLAX and prolong your discomfort.
Examples of high-fat foods to avoid include:
- Fried foods like french fries, fried chicken, and onion rings
- Rich desserts such as cakes, pastries, and ice cream
- High-fat meats like fatty cuts of beef and pork
- Butter, margarine, and oils used in cooking
- Fast food items, which are often high in fat
- High-fat dairy products and cheeses
2. Sugar
The American or Western diet is often characterized by high levels of fat and sugar, along with excessive salt and a lack of sufficient fruits, vegetables, and fiber. This dietary pattern has been linked to various health issues, including digestive problems.
A 2022 study investigating the relationship between diet and constipation found that individuals who follow a Western diet tend to experience higher rates of constipation. Specifically, a high intake of sugary foods was significantly associated with increased constipation.
Sugary foods not only contribute to constipation but also offer little nutritional value and can hinder the effectiveness of MiraLAX. To improve your constipation relief, it’s best to limit or avoid:
- Chocolate and candies
- Pre-packaged snack cakes and pastries
- Ice cream and sugary desserts
- Sweetened breakfast cereals
- Soda and fruit drinks
- Sweetened tea and coffee beverages
3. Fried Foods
Fried foods overlap with high-fat foods but deserve specific mention due to their particularly negative impact on digestion and constipation. They are not only high in fat but are also digested slowly and are typically low in dietary fiber.
A typical meal featuring fried foods often lacks fiber-rich components like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. The breading used in fried foods is usually made from white flour, which is low in fiber and absorbs even more oil during the frying process.
Fiber is crucial for healthy bowel movements as it attracts water and adds bulk to the stool, making it easier to pass through the digestive system. By avoiding fried foods, you can support better digestion and enhance MiraLAX’s effectiveness.
Examples of fried foods to limit include:
- Onion rings and french fries
- Donuts and fried pastries
- Breaded meats and fish
- Potato chips and fried snacks
4. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration because it increases urine production and dilates blood vessels, resulting in greater fluid loss through the skin and evaporation. Dehydration significantly affects the water content of your stools, making them harder and more difficult to pass. Even a small decrease of 2% in stool water content can noticeably slow down bowel movements.
When taking MiraLAX, staying well-hydrated is especially important. This osmotic laxative works by drawing water into your intestines to soften stools. If you are dehydrated, MiraLAX may not work as effectively, and it could potentially worsen your dehydration as it pulls water from other parts of your body into your intestines.
Therefore, it’s advisable to minimize or avoid alcohol intake while using MiraLAX to ensure optimal hydration and medication effectiveness.
5. Dairy
Dairy products can contribute to constipation in some individuals through two primary mechanisms: their high fat content and lactose intolerance.
High-fat dairy items, such as cheese and ice cream, can slow down gastric emptying, similar to other high-fat foods, thus potentially hindering MiraLAX’s action.
While lactose intolerance is often associated with diarrhea, constipation is actually a symptom for about one-third of individuals with lactose intolerance. If you suspect dairy might be contributing to your constipation, consider trying lactose-free dairy alternatives or temporarily eliminating dairy from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
If you choose to reduce or eliminate dairy, consulting with a registered dietitian can help ensure you continue to meet your nutritional needs.
How Does MiraLAX Work?
MiraLAX is classified as an osmotic laxative. It functions by drawing water into the intestines. This increased water content softens hard stools, making them easier to pass and relieving constipation without causing cramps or sudden urgency. Osmotic laxatives typically take one to three days to produce a bowel movement.
It’s important to know that there are various types of laxatives, each with a different mechanism of action. Some laxatives add bulk (fiber) to the stool, others stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, while some lubricate stools or help soften them with water.
Laxatives should not be considered a long-term or sole solution for constipation. The first steps in managing constipation should always involve dietary and lifestyle modifications, such as increasing fiber intake and ensuring adequate fluid consumption. If these changes are insufficient, then laxatives like MiraLAX can be helpful in facilitating a bowel movement. For persistent constipation, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to identify any underlying causes.
Foods To Eat That Prevent Constipation
Many people in the United States do not consume enough fiber-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, which are essential for preventing constipation. Adequate hydration and increased fiber intake are key to promoting healthy and regular bowel movements.
Fiber-Rich Foods
The recommended daily fiber intake for women is approximately 25 grams, and for men, it’s about 38 grams. However, most individuals only consume about half of these recommended amounts.
To increase your fiber intake, aim to include four to five servings of fruits or vegetables daily, along with whole grains and beans. A medium-sized fruit like a banana, apple, or orange provides roughly 3 grams of fiber, and one-half cup of cooked black beans or chickpeas contains about 7 grams of fiber.
Incorporating fiber-rich foods into every meal or snack can be an effective strategy for boosting your daily fiber intake. Here is a list of foods that can help prevent and treat constipation:
Fruits
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Figs
- Mangoes
- Pears
- Peaches
- Prunes
- Nectarines
- Apricots
- Plums
Vegetables
- Edamame
- Sweet potatoes and white potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Artichokes
- Spinach
- Green beans
Beans and Legumes
- Black beans
- Lentils
- Kidney beans
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- Bean-based pasta
- Pinto beans
- Navy beans
Whole Grains
- Oatmeal
- Quinoa
- Popcorn
- Whole-grain cereals and bread
- Bran flakes
- Whole-wheat tortillas
Nuts and Seeds
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds and ground flax seeds
Other Lifestyle Recommendations For Constipation Relief
In addition to dietary changes, certain lifestyle adjustments can further aid in constipation relief.
Hydrate
Aim to drink eight glasses of water (64 ounces) daily. Remember that any liquid at room temperature contributes to your daily fluid intake. Choosing water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can also help you stay hydrated.
Exercise
Physical activity is beneficial for stimulating bowel movements. Any form of movement can be helpful, such as walking, gardening, or doing household chores. Start with activities you enjoy and gradually increase your activity level.
Listen To Your Body
Pay attention to your body’s signals and don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. When you feel the need to go, use the restroom promptly.
Takeaway
Managing constipation effectively involves a multifaceted approach encompassing fluid intake, a fiber-rich diet, regular physical activity, and, when necessary, the use of laxative medications like MiraLAX.
MiraLAX, an osmotic laxative, can be a helpful option to draw water into the intestines, soften stools, and relieve constipation without causing significant discomfort or urgency. It is particularly useful when diet and lifestyle modifications alone are not sufficient.
To maximize the benefits of MiraLAX and prevent constipation, it is advisable to limit or avoid high-fat foods, excessive sugar, fried foods, certain dairy products, and alcohol. These foods can hinder bowel movements and potentially reduce the effectiveness of MiraLAX.
Incorporate plenty of water, high-fiber foods, and regular exercise into your daily routine to promote regular bowel movements and overall digestive health.
How A Dietitian Can Help
Consulting with a registered dietitian can provide personalized and expert nutrition guidance for managing constipation through diet, lifestyle adjustments, and the appropriate use of medications.
A dietitian can assess your individual needs and develop tailored strategies to help you achieve your health goals and improve your well-being. They can assist you in creating customized meal plans and understanding how medications like MiraLAX can work in conjunction with your diet and lifestyle.
Consider asking a registered dietitian about developing a constipation management plan that is right for you. Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish to get started on your path to better digestive health.
