What Foods Help with Constipation from Medication?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to Healthline, approximately 16 out of 100 adults in the United States experience constipation, a side effect sometimes caused by various medications. Fortunately, making targeted changes to your diet by incorporating specific foods can effectively help manage and relieve constipation from medication.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines effective dietary changes to combat medication-induced constipation. It focuses on incorporating high-fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and probiotics, alongside proper hydration, to promote regular and comfortable bowel movements.

Key Points

Increase Fiber Gradually: Incorporate high-fiber foods slowly to allow your digestive system to adapt and prevent bloating.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as fiber requires adequate fluid to soften stool and work effectively.
Lean on Prunes and Kiwi: These fruits are particularly known for their natural laxative properties and high fiber content, helping to speed up bowel movements.
Embrace Whole Grains and Legumes: Choose brown rice, oats, lentils, and beans over refined grains like white bread to add essential bulk to your stool.
Incorporate Probiotics: Add fermented foods like kefir or yogurt to your diet to introduce beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Limit Constipating Foods: Reduce intake of processed snacks, red meat, cheese, and unripe bananas, which can slow digestion.

The Foundation: Fiber and Fluids

Fiber and water are the cornerstones of addressing medication-induced constipation naturally. Fiber adds bulk to your stool, while water is essential for fiber to work effectively by softening the stool and promoting movement through the colon. Increasing fiber intake gradually is important to avoid excess gas and bloating.

Soluble Fiber: Your Stool Softener Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that softens stool and aids in its passage.

High-Fiber Fruits to Promote Regularity

Fruits are a delicious and effective way to increase fiber intake. Many contain not only fiber but also natural laxative compounds like sorbitol and pectin.

Prunes: Often touted as a natural remedy, prunes contain fiber and a sugar alcohol called sorbitol, which has a laxative effect.
Kiwi: Studies suggest that eating kiwi can improve stool consistency and increase frequency, thanks to its high water-retention properties and fiber content.
Apples and Pears: Both contain pectin and sorbitol. Eating them with the skin on maximizes the fiber benefit.
Berries: High in fiber and water, berries like raspberries and blackberries are great additions to your diet.

Vegetables and Legumes for Digestive Health

These plant-based powerhouses provide a mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and stimulates bowel movements.

Lentils and Beans: Legumes such as lentils, black beans, and chickpeas are exceptionally rich in fiber. A 1/2 cup of cooked lentils contains nearly 8 grams of fiber.
Sweet Potatoes: Containing both soluble (pectin) and insoluble (cellulose) fiber, sweet potatoes can aid in bowel regularity.
Broccoli and Leafy Greens: Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and spinach are full of insoluble fiber that helps add weight and bulk to stools.

The Power of Probiotics and Seeds

Beyond fiber, certain foods can improve gut health and aid in digestion, which is especially important when medications disrupt the gut microbiome.

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help balance the gut and promote softer stools.

Kefir and Yogurt: These fermented dairy products contain live, active cultures that can improve gut motility and help relieve constipation.
Sauerkraut and Kombucha: These fermented options are dairy-free sources of probiotics.

Fiber-Dense Seeds

Small but mighty, seeds like chia and flaxseed are concentrated sources of fiber that can be easily added to meals and drinks.

Chia Seeds: Just one ounce of dried chia seeds contains nearly 10 grams of fiber. When mixed with water, they form a gel that helps soften and bulk up stool.
Flaxseed: Containing both soluble and insoluble fiber, ground flaxseed can be sprinkled on cereal or mixed into smoothies to aid in regularity.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Just as certain foods help, others can worsen constipation. It's wise to limit these, especially when experiencing medication-induced digestive issues.

Refined Grains: Foods like white bread, white rice, and white pasta lack the fiber found in their whole-grain counterparts.
Dairy Products: For some individuals, particularly those with lactose intolerance, dairy can contribute to constipation.
Red Meat and Processed Foods: These are typically high in fat and low in fiber, slowing down digestion.
Unripe Bananas: The high starch content in unripe bananas can worsen constipation.
Alcohol and Caffeine: While a warm cup of coffee can stimulate a bowel movement in some, caffeine and alcohol are diuretics that can cause dehydration, which is a major contributor to constipation.

Dietary Comparison for Medication Constipation

This table summarizes the best and worst dietary choices when dealing with medication-induced constipation.


Constipation-Relieving Foods	Constipating Foods	Key Benefit/Drawback
Prunes, Pears, Apples	Unripe Bananas	Fruits with high sorbitol/pectin content vs. starchy fruits that can worsen symptoms.
Lentils, Beans, Chickpeas	Red Meat, High-Fat Meats	Excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber vs. zero fiber content.
Whole Grains (Oats, Brown Rice)	Refined Grains (White Bread, Pasta)	High in fiber, promotes regularity vs. stripped of fiber, can slow digestion.
Kefir, Yogurt, Fermented Foods	Dairy (Cheese, Ice Cream)	Provides beneficial probiotics for gut health vs. high fat/low fiber that may cause issues for some.
Chia and Flaxseeds	Processed Snacks (Chips, Cookies)	Extremely high in soluble and insoluble fiber vs. low fiber and often high in fat/sugar.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach for Relief

Managing constipation from medication requires a comprehensive approach. Prioritizing foods rich in fiber—including a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains—is the most effective natural strategy. Complementing this with probiotic-rich foods and staying well-hydrated ensures your digestive system functions as smoothly as possible. In addition to these dietary changes, regular exercise is proven to aid bowel motility. However, if your constipation persists or is severe, always consult your healthcare provider, as they can recommend other treatments or adjustments to your medication plan. For more information on managing constipation with dietary changes, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers further insights into foods that help with constipation.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best high-fiber foods include prunes, kiwi, pears, apples, lentils, beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, chia seeds, and whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice.

When you are dehydrated, your colon absorbs more water from your stool, making it hard and dry. Drinking plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses daily, helps to keep stool soft and lubricated, making it easier to pass.

Yes, prunes are often recommended due to their high fiber and sorbitol content. Kiwi and pears also contain properties that can help soften stool and increase bowel frequency.

It is generally best to limit or avoid low-fiber processed foods, red meat, high-fat dairy products (like cheese), and unripe bananas, as these can worsen constipation.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel that softens stool, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, helping it move through the digestive tract. Both are important for regularity.

Yes, probiotic-rich foods like kefir and yogurt can introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut, which improves gut health and may help soften stools and increase bowel movement frequency.

Yes, regular physical activity, even light exercise like walking, can help improve the movement of stool through the colon and can be an important part of managing constipation.