I suffered from painful constipation for many years. It was just awful!

It started when I was a kid and now with hindsight I am sure that a big cause of my constipation problem was due to my unhealthy diet.

When I was growing up I ate what everyone else in my family was eating.

Unfortunately what my family ate was not very healthy.

And it was very constipating!

Keep in mind that in the place where I grew up – health food and healthy living were never discussed.

We lived in a rugged place in Alaska where you ate what you shot in the woods and greens were something you only ate from a can. I never saw many fresh fruits or vegetables growing up so no wonder I was all stopped up!

As a teenager I wised up a bit about my eating and began to eat a more healthy balanced diet.

I even remember drinking prune juice all the time as a teen, because I had read somewhere that it helped with constipation and waste elimination.

During my teen years time I began my quest for finding the best foods to help with constipation so that I could be “regular” each day.

Today I just want to share a short list of some of the best foods to help with constipation.

But before I start with the food list I have to remind you all that if your body is suffering from dehydration and you tend to not drink enough water throughout the day that can be a HUGE contributing factor to causing constipation.

Water is essential to your body’s daily functions. The elimination of waste is a daily function that benefits greatly from drinking fluids regularly throughout the day.

I recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you want to, you can even add some fresh squeezed lemon to your water to give it some flavor.

Okay, now for the list of the best foods to help with constipation.

These foods tend to have a natural laxative effect (some foods more than others):

Almonds

Apricots

avocados

chicory

coconut

dandelion leaves

dates

endive

figs

flaxseed

grapes

mangoes

olives

papayas

parsley

persimmons

pineapple

prunes

rhubarb

soybeans

sweet potato

turnips

walnuts

watercress

beans

whole grains

bran cereals

fresh fruits

watermelon

asparagus

brussel sprouts

cabbage

carrots

hi fiber cereals

oatmeal

lentils

seeds

Although there are many foods listed above – this is by no means an exhaustive list of the best foods to help with constipation – there are many more but I wanted to give you a place to start.

You can easily make healthy salads or soups with many of the items listed above. And many foods on the list make great snacks.

As you review the list of the best foods to help with constipation, you may want to begin with eating the foods you already enjoy.

Then add some of the constipation reducing foods on the list that are new to you.

Experiment with them.

You may be surprised to find you enjoy them.

And I am certain you will really enjoy how these foods help your constipation to be a distant memory.

Emily is the editor of several websites devoted to helping people get free of the pain and discomfort of constipation.

To get personal help and fast remedies for constipation that work click below and get relief right away. You really can end the discomfort of constipation for good!