A healthy diet will help with faecal incontinence. Remember, if you have significant changes to your bowel movements, see your GP.
For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.
Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website for further information.
A diet consisting of 25 to 30 g of fibre a day will help you have healthy bowel movements. It is important to drink 64 oz. of fluid a day when increasing your fibre intake for a healthy bowel movement.
Legumes are a good source of slowly-digesting carbohydrates and resistant starch.
Legumes, including beans, peas and lentils, provide a significant amount of fibre per serving and can help you have a healthy bowel movement. One cup of cooked split peas contains 16 g of fibre and 1 cup of cooked lentils contains 15 g of fibre, meeting at least half of your daily fibre needs. Other high-fibre legumes include kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, lima beans and baked beans. In addition to acting as a good source of fibre, legumes also provide you with protein and iron, and make a healthy meat alternative. Increase your fibre intake with legumes by adding them to soups, salads, and rice and pasta dishes.
Bran Cereals
Bran cereals also contain high amounts of fibre to help support healthy bowel movements. A typical serving of a bran cereal contains 13 to 18 g of fibre. These high-fibre cereals do not have to be limited to breakfast, you can also eat cereal for lunch, dinner or as a snack.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits also top the list of high-fibre foods to eat for a healthy bowel movement. Three dried figs contain 10.5 g of fibre, two dried apricot halves contain 1.7 g and three prunes contain 1.9 g. Other high-fibre dried fruits include raisins and dates. Increase your fibre intake by adding dried fruits to your snack list or adding to salads or hot cereals.
Fresh Fruits
Snacking on fresh fruit can also increase your fibre intake for a healthy bowel movement. One cup of raspberries contains 8 g of fibre and one medium pear with the skin has 5.5 g. Other high-fibre fruits include apples with the skin, oranges, strawberries and bananas.
Vegetables
High-fibre vegetables for a healthy bowel movement include artichokes, broccoli, turnip greens, potatoes with the skin, sweet corn and Brussels sprouts.
Whole Grains
Whole grains also help promote healthy bowel movements. High fibre whole-grain foods include whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, barley and brown rice.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Healthy Bowel Habits
- We Heal NY: Bowel Function and Dietary Fiber
- We Heal NY: Bowel Function and Dietary Fiber: Fiber Chart
- MayoClinic.com: High-Fiber Foods
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