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Recipe

Overnight soaked figs and prunes

This is the most reliable non-pharmacological thing we recommend for constipation, and it fails for exactly one reason — people skip the water.

Time
5 minutes, soaked overnight
Serves
1
Protein
2 g
Fibre
6 g

Ingredients

  • 2 dried figs (anjeer)
  • 3 prunes
  • 1 cup water for soaking
  • 1 tsp soaked chia or sabja seeds, optional

Method

Step 1

Soak the figs and prunes in a cup of water overnight.

Step 2

In the morning, eat the fruit and drink the soaking water. The water is not optional.

Step 3

Follow with a further glass of warm water.

Step 4

Do this at the same time each morning, ideally before any tea or coffee.

Raise fibre gradually over weeks. A sudden increase causes bloating and gets abandoned.

Why it works

Fibre plus sorbitolPrunes contain sorbitol, which draws water into the bowel. Figs add insoluble fibre. The two work differently and well together.
Fluid is the whole thingFibre without fluid makes constipation worse, not better. This is the single most common reason it does not work.
Same time dailyThe gut responds to rhythm. Consistency rebuilds the morning reflex more effectively than quantity.

Nutrition, per serving

Approximate values. Actual figures vary with portion and ingredients.
EnergyProteinCarbohydrateFatFibre
140 kcal2 g35 g0.5 g6 g

A recipe is a good start, and it is not a plan.Which foods will help you specifically depends on numbers this page cannot see. The check below takes two minutes and asks for nothing.

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2-minute check

What is going on with your digestion?

Four questions, answered in about a minute.

When does discomfort appear?

Any bloating through the day?

Has your bowel habit changed?

How often do you take an antacid or laxative?

Who this recipe is for

This recipe is used in our plans for the conditions below. Each page sets out the symptoms, the tests worth having and how the condition is treated.

Constipation Piles Anaemia

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This recipe is general nutrition information. It is not a treatment for any condition and it does not replace advice from your doctor. Never change prescribed medication on the basis of a dietary change.

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