Can I Eat Fried Chicken if I'm Constipated?

December 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly 16 in 100 adults in the United States experience symptoms of constipation. If you're constipated, eating fried chicken is generally not recommended and can worsen your symptoms. This is due to its high-fat, low-fiber content, which can slow down your digestive system even further.

Quick Summary

Fried chicken is high in fat and low in fiber, two factors that can exacerbate constipation by slowing digestion and hardening stools. To relieve and prevent constipation, it is better to choose high-fiber, low-fat alternatives and increase your fluid intake.

Key Points

Avoid Fried Foods: Fried chicken is high in fat and low in fiber, which can slow digestion and worsen constipation.
Increase Fiber Intake: Opt for high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to help promote regular bowel movements.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial to soften stool and counteract the dehydrating effects of high-salt, low-fiber foods.
Choose Healthier Alternatives: For lean protein, choose baked, grilled, or boiled chicken instead of fried, and pair it with fiber-rich sides.
Consider Natural Remedies: Prunes, prune juice, and light exercise can help stimulate the digestive system and relieve constipation after eating high-fat foods.
Check Your Salt Intake: High sodium levels in processed and fried foods can draw water from your intestines, making stools harder.

The Digestive Downside of Fried Foods

When your digestive system is already sluggish due to constipation, eating high-fat, low-fiber foods like fried chicken can compound the problem. Fried foods contain a high amount of saturated fat, which takes the body longer to digest compared to other nutrients. As this slow-moving food travels through your colon, more water is absorbed from the waste, resulting in a hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass. This creates a vicious cycle that prolongs discomfort and can make existing constipation much worse.

The Impact of Low Fiber Content

Dietary fiber is essential for promoting regular bowel movements. There are two types: soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool, while soluble fiber absorbs water to make stool softer and easier to pass. Fried chicken, especially with its crispy, breaded coating, is very low in both types of fiber. By consuming a meal with little to no fiber, you miss a crucial opportunity to give your digestive system the push it needs to clear things out. Instead of bulking up the stool, the fat from the fried chicken can cause a backup in your intestines, delaying motility and exacerbating your symptoms.

Why Dehydration is an Issue

Many foods associated with fast food meals, including fried chicken, are also high in salt. High sodium intake can lower the water content of your stool by pulling fluids from the intestines to balance the extra salt in your bloodstream. Since dehydration is a common cause or exacerbating factor for constipation, consuming salty foods only worsens the situation. It is vital to stay well-hydrated with plenty of water, especially when dealing with constipation, to keep stools soft and easy to pass.

Healthier Alternatives to Fried Chicken

When you're constipated and craving chicken, there are several healthy and gut-friendly ways to prepare it. Swapping fried chicken for a lean, baked, or grilled chicken breast and pairing it with high-fiber sides is an excellent strategy.

For a high-fiber chicken meal: Opt for a baked chicken breast alongside steamed broccoli and brown rice. This provides lean protein and plenty of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
For a lighter, digestive-friendly option: Consider a chicken and vegetable soup. The broth provides hydration, while the vegetables and lean chicken offer nutrients without the high fat content.
For a quick fix: A simple grilled chicken salad with leafy greens, bell peppers, and a light vinaigrette dressing can provide fiber and nutrients while being easy on the digestive system.

Comparison: Fried Chicken vs. Digestive-Friendly Chicken Meal


Feature	Fried Chicken Meal	Digestive-Friendly Chicken Meal
Fat Content	Very High (Saturated Fat)	Low (Lean Protein)
Fiber Content	Very Low	Very High
Digestive Speed	Very Slow	Normal to Fast
Stool Consistency	Tends to cause hard, dry stools	Promotes soft, bulky stools
Risk of Worsening Constipation	High	Low to None
Nutritional Profile	Often poor (high calories, low nutrients)	Often excellent (nutrient-dense)
Hydration Impact	Low (can contribute to dehydration)	High (when paired with fluids)

Steps to Relieve Constipation After an Indulgence

If you have already eaten fried chicken and are experiencing worsened constipation, here are steps you can take to get things moving again:

Increase your fluid intake. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help soften the stool. Avoid dehydrating beverages like alcohol and excessive caffeine.
Add high-fiber foods to your next meal. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Prunes and prune juice are well-known natural laxatives that can work effectively.
Engage in light physical activity. A walk can help stimulate bowel muscles and encourage a bowel movement.
Consider a fiber supplement. Products like psyllium husk (e.g., Metamucil®) can help add bulk to your stool, but be sure to drink extra water when taking them.
Use natural remedies. Some people find relief from remedies like a warm prune juice and butter drink, as documented in traditional and online recipes.

Conclusion

While a craving for fried chicken is understandable, it is best to avoid it when you are constipated. The combination of high fat and low fiber can severely slow down your digestive system, harden stools, and worsen your symptoms. For effective constipation relief and to prevent future issues, focus on a diet rich in high-fiber foods, stay adequately hydrated, and get regular exercise. By making mindful food choices, you can manage your symptoms and support healthy digestion. For more digestive health information and to learn about the importance of gut bacteria, visit Johns Hopkins Medicine's guide on foods for constipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fried chicken is bad for constipation because it is high in saturated fat and very low in dietary fiber. This combination slows down the digestive process, allowing more water to be absorbed from the stool and making it hard and difficult to pass.

Instead of fried chicken, you should eat foods rich in fiber and fluids. Good options include baked or grilled chicken with vegetables and whole grains, fruits like prunes and berries, legumes, and soups.

Yes, fried foods can cause or worsen constipation. Their high fat content and low fiber levels slow down your digestive tract, leading to infrequent and hard-to-pass bowel movements.

If you've already eaten fried chicken while constipated, focus on increasing your fluid intake, eating high-fiber foods like prunes or vegetables, and doing some light exercise, such as walking, to stimulate your bowels.

Yes, baked chicken is a much better option. It is lower in fat and can be easily paired with high-fiber ingredients like vegetables or brown rice, which will help, rather than hinder, your digestion.

While high-fat foods in general tend to slow down digestion, not all fatty foods cause constipation. Healthy fats found in foods like avocados or nuts can be part of a balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber and fluids.

Fiber helps with constipation by adding bulk to your stool (insoluble fiber) and softening it by absorbing water (soluble fiber). This combination makes bowel movements more regular and easier to pass.