I know the title of this post may throw some people off but hey, constipation happens to everyone. It can be a very annoying health issue, especially if you experience it on a regular basis. The major symptoms of constipation include:

• Infrequent bowel movements
• Straining during a bowel movement
• Hard stools
• Difficulty having bowel movements

Why Eating Clean May Help Prevent Constipation

First let's take a look at the most common causes of constipation. They include:

• A diet low in fiber
• Inadequate water intake
• Lack of regular exercise
• Eating a large amount of dairy products
• Stress

Eating clean involves eating whole, natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. If you adopt the clean eating lifestyle, then your diet should naturally be high in fiber and you'll more than likely be drinking plenty of water.

Constipation Prevention

Preventing constipation seems to be easy enough. It revolves mostly around diet and physical activity.

Eating a Diet High in Fiber - The daily recommended amount of fiber for women is 25 grams and for men it is 38 grams.

Drink Plenty of Water - It is not uncommon for many individuals to actually be dehydrated on a regular basis. A good way to combat dehydration is to drink water more often and cut back on caffeine intake which can cause dehydration. It helps if you carry a jug or bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Regular Exercise - Exercising on a regular basis helps to stimulate intestinal function. This is really important if you have a desk job. Sitting for 8 or more hours a day is not beneficial to ones health. Healthy eating and exercise go hand-in-hand.

Fiber Supplements - If your battle with constipation is an ongoing one, then over the counter fiber supplements may help you along. However, it's important to drink plenty of water daily if you go this route.

A clean eating lifestyle and regular exercise can have many health benefits. Chances are when you stick to a healthy diet and a good amount of physical activity, dealing with constipation will rarely occur.

References:
Fiber: How Much Do You Need?
Prevention