Some people new to the Dukan diet find themselves experiencing the discomfort of constipation and digestive transit problems. In most cases this situation is temporary and normal reaction to the body adjusting to new foods and a different eating regime. Due to the fact that the Dukan diet is high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates people on the diet often report need to go to the toilet less often. This decrease in frequency and need can be misinterpreted as constipation. Someone used to going at a particular time of day may find their routine disrupted not by constipation but simply due a lack of waste product that needs to be passed. If this is the case then there is no problem to be solved. Of course, genuine constipation is uncomfortable and unpleasant and needs to be sorted out quickly.
In this article I will be looking a 5 ways to deal with the problem of constipation on the Dukan diet.
1. Eat your oat bran every day
The first thing to do is to ensure that you are eating the recommended amount of oat bran each day. You can eat your oat bran either on its own in a porridge (flavored with cinnamon and vanilla for a delicious daily treat) or added to other food such as a burger filler.
If you are eating enough oat bran but are still experiencing constipation you can increase the amount you eat each day until your digestive system gets back to normal.
2. Try adding some wheat bran to your diet
Another option, suggested by Dr. Dukan in the official book, is to add a spoonful of wheat bran your diet every day that you are having problems.
3. You must drink plenty of water
A third thing you can do is to make sure you are drinking enough water each day. A lack of water in your system can cause constipation. Make sure that you are drinking the recommended minimum of two liters of water per day. Even if you do not have digestive transport problems you should be drinking this amount of water every day, whether you are on the Dukan diet or not.
4. You can eat a few prunes if that helps
A fourth option is to eat a small quantity of fruit such as prunes until your movements are back to normal. Yes, you are not allowed fruit during the Dukan diet but there is no point in suffering unnecessarily, you may eat a few prunes if this helps clear up digestive problems.
5. Ask your pharmacist for help
Finally, if you are really suffering from constipation you can buy some over the counter remedies from your local pharmacist. Obviously you do not want to find yourself over-doing things like laxatives and suppositories but a small dose simply to deal with an urgent problem is perfectly acceptable.