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Pain medicines, changes in your eating habits, and being less
active can cause your bowels to move less often and stools to become
harder to pass (constipation). If you are constipated, try eating
high-fiber foods. Also drink plenty of fluids during the day, eat at
regular times, and increase your physical activity.
What to do
- Try to eat at the same times each day.
- Try to have a bowel movement at the same time each day to
establish regularity.
- Drink 8 to 10 cups of liquid each day, if OK with your
doctor. Try water, prune juice, warm juices, teas, and hot lemonade.
- If you are prone to constipation, try to establish a
regular bowel plan. This may include such over-the-counter medicines as
Senekot or Colace. You may also want to try Metamucil or other
preparations containing psyllium fiber.
- Use laxatives only as directed by your doctor. Contact your
doctor or nurse if you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days or
longer.
- Limit drinks and foods that cause gas if it becomes a
problem. (See list below.)
- To lessen the amount of air you swallow while eating, try
not to talk much at meals, drink without straws, and avoid chewing gum
and carbonated beverages.
- If it's OK with your doctor, eat high-fiber and bulky
foods, such as whole grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables
(raw and cooked with skins and peels on), popcorn, and dried beans. Add
these slowly to your diet to avoid bloating and gas.
- Eat a breakfast that includes a hot drink and high-fiber
foods.
- Ask your dietitian to recommend a high-calorie,
high-protein, fiber-containing liquid supplement if you need more
calories, protein, and fiber.
- Increase your activity as much as you can and if it's OK
with your doctor.
Foods that may cause gas
| beans and peas, dried |
rutabaga |
avocado |
| string beans |
broccoli |
nuts |
| brussels sprouts |
cabbage |
sauerkraut |
| turnip greens |
radishes |
cauliflower |
| milk |
melons |
spinach |
| mushrooms |
beer |
apples (raw), apple juice |
| deep fried foods |
eggs |
fatty foods |
| cucumbers |
corn |
fish |
| pickles |
onions, leeks, scallions |
sweet potatoes |
| strong cheese |
mustard |
spicy foods |
| kohlrabi |
collards |
lentils |
| peppers |
asparagus |
pastries |
Other factors that may
contribute to gas
- chewing gum
- not taking in enough fluids
- lack of exercise
- using straws
- chewing with your mouth open
- constipation
- eating a lot of high fiber foods
High-fiber foods to choose more
often*
| Breads and Cereals |
Serving Size |
Dietary Fiber (grams) |
| bran cereals |
1/2 cup |
3-13 |
| popcorn |
2 cups |
5 |
| brown rice |
1/2 cup |
6 |
| whole wheat bread |
1 slice |
1-2 |
| whole wheat pasta |
1/4 cup |
6 |
| wheat bran, raw |
1/4 cup |
6 |
| |
|
Legumes
|
| kidney beans |
1/2 cup |
8 |
| navy beans |
1/2 cup |
9 |
| nuts |
1 oz |
3 |
| |
|
Vegetables
|
| broccoli |
1/2 cup |
4 |
| brussels sprouts |
1/2 cup |
3 |
| carrots |
1/2 cup |
2 |
| corn |
1/2 cup |
5 |
| green peas |
1/2 cup |
3 |
| potato with skin |
1 medium |
3 |
| |
|
Fruit
|
| apple with peel |
1 medium |
4 |
| banana |
1 medium |
2 |
| blue berries |
1/2 cup |
2 |
| pear with skin |
1 medium |
5 |
| prunes |
3 |
3 |
| orange |
1 medium |
3 |
| raisins |
1/4 cup |
3 |
| strawberries |
1 cup |
3 |
*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management
of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts
Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
Revised: 02/04/2008
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