Is Your Poop Happy?

Is Your Poop Normal, Healthy, & Happy?

Your poop is telling you something:

We all poop.  It’s one of the few reminders we get about our health on a daily basis and we don’t pay much attention to it.  Not only that, but we also don’t like to talk about it.  In our culture, sometimes it’s easier to talk to people about sex than poop.

If you’re not pooping right, something could be terribly wrong inside your body.

Most of us spend the time and money to consume healthy food.  But are we digesting it well?  Are we breaking down and absorbing those nutrients well?  The quality of your poop is a direct indication of how well you’re digesting your food.

If you’re poop isn’t healthy, your digestive tract is either moving too slow or too fast… which can lead to an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions like neurological disease, autoimmune disease and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Think of your poop like the annoying chirping sound your smoke detector makes when the battery is low.  It’s relentlessly letting you know the battery is low… and if you don’t do something about it, your house could burn down (with you and your family in it).

However if you’re pooping well it could be an indication your body is relatively healthy and a good sign you’re winning when it comes to health.

The most important measurements of your poop:

1.  How often do you poop?

The research suggests you should poop every day.  In fact, the range of “normal” is typically 1-3 times a day.  Poop is waste and you need to get rid of it every single day to make sure that you’re properly removing toxins and other waste material that’s gotta go.  Many people have a bowel movements every time they eat. If you find yourself pooping a couple times a week… or going 5+ times a day, you’re at risk of health problems.

2.  Are you pushing too hard?

How easy is it for you to poop?  It’s normal in our culture to take a newspaper or read a magazine for a half hour, battling to win the poop fight.  But the reality is that a “normal” poop shouldn’t take but a few minutes.  It should also be easy.  This isn’t childbirth.  Pushing typically leads to hemorrhoids which are all too common today but not normal.

3.  Does your poop look like a snake?

The most important part of a “normal” poop is the quality. 

 

A “normal” poop is “like a sausage or a snake, smooth and soft.  If your poops aren’t looking 4ish… you’re not normal.

4: Are you getting it all out?

For some people this is a non-issue… but part of a “normal” poop is having what’s so eloquently referred to as a “full evacuation.”  Are you getting all your poop out in one swift motion?  Do you have to keep coming back to finish the job?  Or do you feel like there’s always something left behind lingering and making you feel uncomfortable? A “normal” poop is a complete poop.  If you never quite feel the relief I’m talking about here… you’re not having ideal bowel movements.

Here’s a few helpful tips to improve your poop

If your poop isn’t normal based on the quiz above, we know your digestive health isn’t what it should be.  So here’s a few tips to improve your digestive health and get closer to perfect poops.

1.  Eat Real Food

The biggest mistake we see is people that claim to eat healthy, but they’re still consuming things like fast food, soda, and table sugar.  Stick to eating real food.  It’s one of the most important changes anyone with digestive problems can make.

2.  Eat Good Bugs

Our gut has a TON of bacteria, and a healthy gut flora is critical for healthy poop.  Consume good bugs every single day.  A high quality probiotic is one supplement that can also boost the immune system in the gut and improve digestive health. SHAKEOLOGY is a great probiotic!

3.  Eat More Fat

Fat has a direct impact on peristalsis… the waves our bodies make to get rid of poop.  Fat can be extremely helpful for people who are constipated.  Increase your healthy fats from sources like coconut oil, animal fat, olive oil, and fermented cod liver oil.  Or drink coffee.