Constipation is when you have bowel movements (stools) that are hard to pass or happen less often than what is usual for you. You may feel like you need to have a bowel movement but are not able to. Constipation can cause belly pain and bloating (gas) and make you feel unwell.

Talk with our dietitian, to plan meals with the right amount of fiber for you. Be sure to add fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body gets used to the change.

Fibre and fluids work together to help keep your bowel movements regular. Fibre-rich foods hold liquid in your stools to keep them soft.

Good sources of fiber are whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, and pecans