Best Fast-Food Items to Help You Poop

Best Fast-Food Items to Help You Poop

Health and Convenience: A Delicate Balance

Healthy eating isn’t always easy to prioritize when you’re on the go. With today’s hectic schedules, it’s often more convenient to hit up a drive-thru. That’s real life, of course. Unfortunately, many fast-food meals happen to be low in fiber—a problem if you’re struggling with your regularity.

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Fiber: The Unsung Hero of Digestive Health

Fiber is the most important nutrient when it comes to preventing constipation. It plays a crucial role in regulating bowel movements and keeping your digestive system healthy. Caroline Young, RD, owner of Whole Self Nutrition, emphasizes the importance of fiber in preventing digestive issues. "Eating fiber-rich foods can help promote regular bowel movements, reduce symptoms of constipation, and even support healthy gut bacteria," she says.

Fast Food with a Fiber Twist

But fear not, dear fast food lovers! There are some amazing fiber-rich options available at your favorite fast-food joints. We’ve rounded up six fast-food items that can help make toilet time a breeze.

1. Starbucks: Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Starbucks’ Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal is a fantastic choice for supporting digestive health. Each serving delivers 4 grams of fiber, a nutrient essential for regular bowel movements. Young recommends adding the optional dried fruit, blueberries, and nuts for an extra fiber boost.

2. Chick-fil-A: Spicy Southwest Salad

Lubeck appreciates the high fiber content of this Chick-fil-A salad. "When it comes to increasing your fiber intake, salads are a typical go-to. However, not all salads are created equal. Some contain more fiber than others. This salad is one of them," she says.

3. Panera Bread: Turkey Chili

Panera’s Turkey Chili is a fiber powerhouse, with a whopping 14 grams per serving. This hearty bowl includes chickpeas, kidney beans, tomatillos, tomatoes, edamame, and carrots, making it a filling and nutritious way to boost your fiber intake and have healthy poops.

4. Burger King: Impossible Whopper

The Impossible Whopper is a convenient plant-based option that provides a healthy dose of fiber to help keep you regular. However, this item should be enjoyed in moderation due to its high saturated fat, sodium, and sugar content.

5. Chick-fil-A: Market Salad with Grilled Filet

There are some great hacks you can use to build a healthy salad at Chick-fil-A, but when you want a ready-to-go option, the Market Salad is a good choice. Young recommends adding a grilled filet (marinated chicken breast) to increase the protein for a balanced meal.

6. Taco Bell: Veggie Bowl

The brown rice, black beans, guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes in Taco Bell’s Veggie Bowl increase the fiber count, providing about 40% of your fiber needs for the day. This bowl provides a healthy combination of fiber from vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, which promotes good digestive health.

The Bottom Line

Fast food often gets a bad rap for its lack of nutritional value. However, with careful selection, you can find fast-food options that support digestive health and keep your bowel movements regular. Instead of choosing options high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, dietitians recommend opting for items high in fiber to keep your digestive system in check. Fiber-rich fast-food items typically contain vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

FAQs

Q: How much fiber do I need daily?
A: The average adult needs 25-30 grams of fiber per day.

Q: Which foods are high in fiber?
A: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts are high in fiber.

Q: Can I get fiber from animal products?
A: No, most animal products are low in fiber.

Q: Is it possible to get enough fiber from fast food?
A: Yes, by choosing fiber-rich options from your favorite fast-food joints.

Q: Will a high-fiber diet improve my digestion?
A: Yes, a high-fiber diet can help promote regular bowel movements, reduce symptoms of constipation, and even support healthy gut bacteria.