A whole manner of things can affect our bowels. Our bodies are so sensitive to so many things, but our bowels seem to be the biggest snowflake of all, anything can give you a runny bum or back up your pipes.
But what about oatmeal? Is oatmeal forcing your last 5 meals out of your intestines like the kids at a waterpark, is it going to back you up like a roadblocked highway, or does it not affect your rear at all?
Well, if you have had oatmeal for the first time, or perhaps if you are trying a nifty new diet, you may have discovered that oatmeal and your bowels are good friends, but it might not be yours.
Let’s find out why!
Does Oatmeal Make You Poop?
So, overall, yes, oatmeal should make you poop, but it alone is unlikely to have you running to the bathroom urgently, unless you are heavily constipated. Oats are highly fibrous, as you may have guessed, but oats are actually loaded with a type of fiber known as soluble fiber. This type of fiber lets more water stay inside of your stools. What this does to your poop is make it bigger and softer which should, in theory, make it easier for you to push out.
Can You Eat Too Much Oatmeal? What Are The Side Effects Of Eating Too Much Oatmeal?
While oatmeal is believed to help in weight loss, you can have too much even if you have a lot of weight to shed. You see, having too much oatmeal can actually lead to you shedding your muscle mass and becoming malnourished.
Oatmeal is so high in fiber, which will keep you feeling fuller for longer, and as a result, your body will lose the ability to tell you when you need to eat more during the day, so you may actually be missing out on some essential nutrients.
(Let’s not forget if oatmeal is a major or large part of your diet, your colon may as well be a slip and slide).
How Does Oatmeal Affect Stool?
Oatmeal will make your stools softer and larger, so in theory, it will make your poops easier to pass. However, exactly how oatmeal will affect your stools does depend on what else you have in your diet.
If you eat a lot of chilis, or perhaps a lot of other fibrous food types, your colon will be firing out waste like a liquid cannon. However, if your diet is much bulkier, perhaps protein-loaded, it may make an otherwise constipated life become more fluid.
Does Oatmeal Make Your Poop Stink?
We tend to think that a healthy diet and healthy colon means our poops won’t smell so bad, but this is pretty much wrong. Oftentimes it is the foods that are best for us that make our poop smell the most.
Oatmeal will make your poop pong, oatmeal has soluble fibers in it, which can make your poop pong out of the potty. However, this is most likely to happen when you eat a lot of it. If consumed in moderation, your poops shouldn’t be too smelly!
How Long After Eating Oatmeal Will I Poop?
Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate, so it is often digested much slower than foods that may contain simple carbohydrates. That being said, oatmeal will also contain dietary fibers, which aid in absorption and digestion.
Once you combine these factors, the time it takes to digest oatmeal is actually pretty quick, only taking 2 or 3 hours. So, oatmeal will make you poop more. Quickly than many other foods.
Best Oatmeal For Constipation
Some people believe that oatmeal can constipate, but in reality, oatmeal doesn’t constipate you.
So, here’s my favorite recipe for when I am a bit backed up in there…
10-Minute Creamy Vegan Matcha Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups/ 354ml of water
- 1 1/2 cups/354ml of coconut water or milk
- 1 cup/90g rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour or oat flour, even quinoa flour
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
- 1/4 cup/25g of shredded coconut desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook on low-heat. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture has reached your desired consistency.
- Divide equally between two bowls. Top with your toppings of choice!
Video
Nutrition
Reasons Why Oatmeal Can Give You Diarrhea
You may get diarrhea from eating oatmeal if your body is not used to you ingesting foods that are high in fiber, this includes oats. If you’re not used to a high fiber diet, it is worthwhile taking your time to increase your fiber intake gradually, over time.
If you instead increase your fiber intake too suddenly then your stools can over-soften, which will give you a liquid rear and you will also likely find yourself suffering from flatulence and bloating as well.
FAQs:
Want to know more about how oats can impact your bowels, poops, and butt? I have gone through all the waste material and found these oaty factoids for you!
Is Oatmeal A Laxative?
Oatmeal is not exactly a laxative. It can have a laxative effect if you are not used to a high-fiber diet, but it is not inherently a laxative. It just makes your stools bigger and softer but can have a more dramatic effect if your bowels are not so used to fiber.
Are Oats Hard On Your Stomach?
A single cup of oats has over 8g of fiber in it, so if you have a sensitive stomach the fiber may cause you gas and bloat. It is not naturally hard on your stomach but can be if you have sensitivities.
Do Oatmeal Increase Bowel Movements?
Oatmeal does not technically increase bowel movements, if anything it regulates them, however, if you are not used to a high-fiber diet it can make them more regular.
How Fast Does Oatmeal Make You Poop?
Typically oatmeal will make you poop within 2 to 3 hours, however, it depends on what else is in your diet and also how familiar your body is with a high-fiber diet.
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