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How much fiber do you eat everyday? Despite the fact that high fiber diets are encouraged by the American Dietetic Association, the Surgeon General & your general practitioner, the average American typically consumes less than the 20-35 grams per day that is recommended. In truth, we are lucky if we eat 12-15 grams! Often, high fiber diets are shunned due to fear of increased gas and bloating or bowel disturbance. But, when followed appropriately, a high fiber diet doesn’t have to mean flatulence!

There are quite a few foods that cause constipation and eliminating this problem from your life may require a bit of a change in the way you eat as you will have to add in more fiber as well as avoid the foods that content to bind you up. The biggest cause of constipation is a lack of fiber in the diet. That combined with eating high-fat foods, not getting enough exercise and dehydration from not drinking enough water all contribute to lack of movement in your bowels. So if you really want to get things moving again you’ll need to take some action. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and especially those high in fiber such as pears, peas, broccoli and apples with the skin on will certainly help as they will add fiber to your diet.