
Weetabix is an incredibly popular breakfast cereal but does it make you poop?
According to Livestrong, Weetabix will make you poop as it contains 4 grams of insoluble fiber per serving and is a complex carbohydrate derived from whole wheat, That said, Weetabix may cause diarrhea in some individuals depending on what they eat it with and how much they consume.
If you’re wondering which are the best cereals for constipation relief and how to enjoy the benefits of Weetabix without experiencing diarrhea, then keep reading!
How Can I Avoid Diarrhea from Weetabix?
If you’re concerned that your diarrhea is caused by Weetabix, there may be some alternative reasons that you didn’t consider before!
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors that may not necessarily be caused by Weetabix itself, such as lactose intolerance, a high-fat diet, or simply eating too much fiber. That said, you should be aiming to consume between 25-30 grams of fiber per day from food in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Watch Out for Dairy
If you find that you are frequently experiencing diarrhea after eating Weetabix, you may want to double-check that it’s not the milk causing your stomach woes. Since most people eat their Weetabix with milk, this could very well be the cause of these problems.
Lactose intolerance is a condition that affects many people, and some people aren’t even aware they have it! Essentially, lactose intolerance means that your body cannot break down the enzymes of the sugars in the dairy, meaning that the body has no other option than to flush it out—quickly.
Some people can even develop lactose intolerance as they age, even if they never had it before. People may also find they become ill when they abstain from dairy for prolonged periods and then consume it again. Whatever the reason, it’s best to see a doctor or monitor your symptoms by a process of elimination of certain foods. If you don’t think this is the reason behind your diarrhea, then move on to the next point!
Avoid Eating Too Much Fat
If you are eating a high-fat diet then this may be the reason why you are experiencing diarrhea. When you eat high-fat foods your liver produces more bile, which in turn causes the body to excrete waste much quicker, leading to diarrhea. Some typical examples of high-fat foods are cheese, butter, fatty meats, chocolate, cream, and savory snacks. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying these in moderation, overdoing them may be causing your diarrhea.
Avoid Eating Too Much Fiber
While a healthy dose of fiber is always good for your digestive system, consuming too much of it can have the opposite effect. According to WebMD, too much fiber can actually cause your stools to soften due to the fact that fiber causes an increase in water absorption. Essentially, this undigested food is being expelled from the body too quickly before it can be absorbed, and this causes diarrhea.
By now you’re probably wondering whether your daily Weetabix fix is causing you more harm than good—which brings me to my next point!
What Happens if You Eat Weetabix Every Day?
According to GoodtoKnow, eating Weetabix daily is safe if you follow the suggested serving size of two Weetabix biscuits per day. In fact, you can reduce your risk of early death due to the fact that it is whole grain and contains 3.8 grams of fiber, 4.6 grams of protein, and is relatively low in calories.
Which are the Best Cereals for Constipation?
Oats
According to Livestrong, oats are another excellent source of fiber, matching Weetabix with 4 grams per serving (or cup). Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, meaning they’re great for balancing your bowels and promoting a healthy environment. That said oats are higher in insoluble fiber, which is the kind that will get things moving! Since most people require roughly 25 grams of fiber per day in order to stay regular, you can rely on oats to provide you with 16 percent of your daily requirements. That’s not bad!
Metamucil Fiber Wafers
These convenient, on-the-go breakfast bars are one of my favorite picks! With an impressive 5 grams per bar, these little bites are perfect for a busy day. Accoridng to MyRecipes, these breakfast bars contain significantly less sugar and more nutrients and fiber, which is exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to constipation relief breakfast options.
The best part about Metamucil is the fact that the fiber is in the form of psyllium husk, which is well-known for its laxative effect. Psyllium husk works by absorbing liquid in your gut and bulking up your stools, therefore allowing them to pass freely through your colon. So, if you’re looking for something that will get you going sooner rather than later, then this is your go-to option.
Muesli
According to WebMD, muesli is one of the healthiest breakfast options you can choose to help aid your digestion, improve heart health, and help keep you feeling satiated for longer. Unlike many other breakfast varieties, muesli contains less sugar and more natural ingredients such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and nuts, all of which are beneficial for your overall health and digestion.
Wheat Bran
According to WebMD, wheat bran is another reliable go-to option if you need to go! Wheat bran helps to move things along in several ways, by increasing the speed at which stools move through the colon, the consistency, and the frequency. Wheat bran packs an impressive fiber content of 25 grams per serving, which is significantly more than most of its counterparts.
The best part about wheat bran is that it can be added to a variety of breakfast options such as muffins and oatmeal, meaning it’s easy to integrate into your meal plan.
Bran Flakes
Bran flakes are a staple part of many people’s breakfast routine as they’re super easy to prepare and quick to eat. Besides their convenience, they’re equally quick at moving your stools along due to the fact that they make your stools more voluminous and soft. This means that they will pass much more quickly, improving your overall digestive health.
If you’re wondering how much fiber you’ll get from bran flakes, you’re looking at around 14 grams per 40-gram serving, according to Sainsbury’s. You would just need to be careful not to exceed more than one serving, as this would already put you over your recommended 30 gram daily limit of fiber.
Final Thoughts
While some people may have varied opinions, Weetabix is an excellent breakfast option if you’re looking for vitamins, fiber, protein, and a pleasing flavor. The key to avoiding stomach problems is making sure that you stick to the recommended serving of two biscuits with skim milk, and watch out for foods that are high in fats. You also need to make sure that you don’t exceed more than 30 grams of fiber per day, or you could be doing yourself more harm than good.
Related Questions
Can I eat Weetabix on a diet?
Since two Weetabix biscuits with skim milk only contain 199 calories, you can certainly enjoy them as part of a healthy balanced diet. Weetabix is also relatively low in salt, unhealthy fats, and sugar when compared to other cereals, and it also has a high protein and fiber content, making it ideal for weight loss.