What does a great poop look like?

Do you know what a great poop looks like?  Most people don't. 

I am thinking about this because I had a great poop this morning.  I hope you did too.  Read on to find out what a good poop looks like and how to get one for yourself.
    
What A Great Poop Looks Like

• You shouldn't have to strain to have a bowel movement.  You should essentially sit down on the toilet and the poop will slide right out.

• bowel movements should be painless

• You will have a feeling of complete evacuation, and the urge "to go" will disappear for the moment.

• The poop itself will be light brownish in color.  There can be some variation in color depending on what you have been eating (haven't we all had those red poops after eating beets?).   

• You are looking for a "golden banana" (of course it doesn't need to be golden).  But the poop should be banana shaped with a point at the end.  Depending on how many times each day you "eliminate" you will want the poop to be about the size of a large banana too.

• It is ok if the poop is more of a "cow pie" shape than a banana.  However, a hard little turds stuck together will indicate constipation. 

• You should poop at least once each day, and up to three times is totally normal (even preferred).
• It should take under 24 hours for food to pass from your mouth and out the other end.  You can check your elimination time by eating an identifiable food (like beets or kernels of corn) and checking to see how long it takes to show up after it has been eaten.

Getting To The Perfect Poop

• Add fiber to your diet.  A great source of fiber in my diet is homemade granola (click here to find the recipe on my website & be sure to add the flax seeds).  You will find lots of fiber in most vegetables, whole grains and beans.
• Drink more water.  Once you have enough "bulk" in your system for a good poop, you need to keep it moving through your body efficiently with lots of water.  The rule of thumb with water is to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day (so if you weight 150 pounds, drink 75 ounce each day). 

 Originally sent Oct 15th as Fit For Fun weekly tip.  Sign up to receive weekly tips by clicking here.