Having a normal bowel habit is one of the biggest undeniable blessings ever! No matter how awkward it sounds, you will admit that digestive problems are one of the most irritating things, especially constipation. Someone around you is guaranteed to have suffered silently at some point. And even if you get lucky with a regular bowel habit now, there is always a chance you may develop chronic constipation later.
People have been taking a variety of different foods to relieve constipation. Starting from organic foods to herbal supplements, name any kind of medication, you must have tried. Porridge, oatmeal, and yogurts are some of the most nourishing choices for breakfast having digestive malfunctions.
However, this may vary among consumers considering their age and metabolic type. Similarly, cream of wheat is another comfort food taken by lots of people having chronic constipation. This brings into question, is cream of wheat good for constipation?
Cream of wheat is packed with all the goodness of fibers making it one of the most impeccable choices for constipation.
Table of Content
What is Constipation?
Constipation is the difficulty in bowel movements and disturbance in expelling stool from the body that persists for a few days or even weeks. It occurs when food substances can’t pass through the gut properly and take too long to be eliminated from the rectum.
The stool becomes hard, lumpy, and dry since the colon absorbs most of the water content from the food bolus. When you poop 2-3 times the entire week, you are supposed to have constipation. Despite going for a poop regularly, if you feel pain while passing bowel, you may also have mild constipation.
Is Cream of Wheat Good for Constipation?
Now comes the topic of today’s concern, is cream of wheat good for constipation? A lot of you might know the concept of “whole grain”. Simply put, it means any grain containing endosperm, bran, and germ. Cream of wheat lacks the bran part hence we can’t call it whole grain.
Cream of wheat is packed with all the goodness of fibers making it one of the most impeccable choices for constipation. So, if you feel bloated and have been constipated for a while, ask yourself if you are taking enough fibers every day? Fibers are those food products that are neither broken down nor absorbed in the body.
When you have loads of dietary fiber in your meals, this will form a bulk of the bolus making the stool soft. The stool will pass easily down the gut and the digestion process will accelerate.
But there is just one drawback. Unlike oatmeal, a cream of wheat isn’t suitable for everybody because of high levels of gluten. People with certain disorders like celiac disease and allergies to wheat/gluten are discouraged to take Cream of wheat.
Nevertheless, for the rest, it is one fulfilling choice of breakfast and most soothing when you transition to solid food after diarrhea.
Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal: Which One is Better?
You have already read what cream of wheat is. Most people will find its similarity with oatmeal since it tastes and looks almost the same.
Foods that are rich in dietary fiber and can help form the bulk of stool should be taken to relieve constipation.
However, they are different in terms of nutritional values and calories. One cup of cooked oatmeal on the other hand has more fibers, 4 grams including 2 grams of soluble fiber, 5 grams of protein, 27 grams of carbs, and 157 calories.
Oatmeal is a moderately low glycemic food making it an excellent choice for weight loss and it is beneficial for the heart since it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. Moreover, it is naturally gluten-free, although it involves the risk of cross-contamination with other grains during processing.
Therefore, it can be concluded that oatmeal is a wiser option for its additional health benefits and can be consumed by everybody while the cream of wheat needs to be avoided by people with gluten intolerance and celiac disease.
Is Cream of Wheat Healthy for Weight Loss?
If you are concerned about weight gain and considering discontinuing cream of wheat, you are probably on the wrong side. Because this comes with health benefits that not only aid weight loss but other factors like improved gut motility, good skin, etc.
Unprocessed natural grains like farina are nutritious and are fueled with fibers and nutrients. If taken in moderation with other dietary modifications that assist in weight loss, you are unlikely to gain weight. Cream of wheat can make you feel fuller for a long time, similar to oatmeals.
Moreover, other cereals or white rice can upsurge the blood glucose level. So, when you take it preferably in the first hour of the day, you feel less hungry, with a feeling of satiety.
Is Cream of Wheat Good for Diabetics?
People with diabetes are told to keep a count of their glucose levels and regulate what they eat by checking the glycemic index. High-fiber cereals are ideal for people having diabetes because fibers lengthen the process of sugar absorption and improve blood glucose levels.
Most fast-digesting carbohydrates have a high glycemic index that adds up to the risk of glucose spikes in the blood. On the contrary, cream of wheat belongs to a moderate level in this index, making it a befitting diet for diabetic patients.
Processed breakfast cereals are full of refined sugar and less nutritious; so it’s better to make healthier alternatives like cream of wheat, muesli, and oatmeal in breakfast if you want to keep your diabetes under control.
Foods to Relieve Constipation
If you really want to get rid of this constant uneasiness of having constipation, you need to change what you eat. Foods that are rich in dietary fiber and can help form the bulk of stool should be taken to relieve constipation.
- Whole grains: bran flake cereals, oatmeals, whole wheat breads/pasta
- Legumes: lentils, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas etc.
- Apple, pears, kiwi, berries.
- Prunes (dried plums)
- Green veggies: Spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli
- Probiotics containing food: yogurt, kefir.
- Sweet potato
- Citrus fruits: orange, mandarins.
- Chia seeds, flaxseeds.
Home Remedies for Constipation
If you are suffering from chronic constipation, you are not alone in this. There are hundreds around you, some take major measures while others decide to ignore it because they think it’s relatively harmless.
Here are some of the effective home remedies you can try to get your bowel movement back to normal without visiting a doctor or rushing to dispensaries for a laxative.
- Water: This is practically the sole solution to every biological problem you can have because staying fully hydrated is fundamental. If you don’t take your fluids adequately, the symptoms won’t resolve easily.
- Add greens and beans to your diet: You must take a sufficient amount of veggies, legumes, pulse and leafy green veggies in your regular meals because they are fibre-packed and they soften the stool.
- Don’t be lazy: It’s important to be active and live a healthy lifestyle to keep the bodily functions intact. In order to relieve constipation, you need to engage your muscles by doing yoga, squats, jogging and swimming to stimulate your bowels. Sounds a little weird, ha?
- Supplements: Fibre supplements might help relieve constipation.
- Be stress free: When you’re under stress, digestion and metabolism is highly affected which causes motility to slow down and makes you constipated. Stay calm and be relaxed.
Final Words
Nobody wants to feel bloated and uncomfortable and have a hard time while pooping. Maintaining a proper bowel-emptying habit is imperative for your health. Make sure to respond to nature’s call instead of suppressing it because this tendency may turn into a usual habit that will ultimately make you constipated.
Eat lots of nutritious food. Drink plenty of water and do exercises that stimulate gastrointestinal functions. If you feel constipated for a long time and none of the remedies work for you, then do have a medical check-up. Remember, that chronic constipation can indicate other undetected serious illnesses in your body as well.
Stay healthy and live a life with all the wholesomeness you can add!
FAQs
Is Cream of Wheat good for bowel movements?
Yes, a cream of wheat is beneficial for bowel movement. It has a smooth texture and is easily digested in the stomach.
Which is healthier: Cream of Wheat or grits?
Cream of wheat is made up of Farina (wheat) consisting of a smooth texture. On the other hand, grits are made of grounded corn having a grainy texture and a salty taste. In terms of grit, it has high calories and more carbs than cream of wheat, and it is naturally gluten-free. Both are healthy, but if you are aiming to lose weight, then you can consider omitting grits from the list.
Is Cream of Wheat easy on the stomach?
Yes, cream of wheat is easy for the stomach because of its dense and creamy consistency and fast digestion, making it suitable for people with gastrointestinal disorders.
What’s the difference between Cream of wheat and Cream of rice?
Cream of rice is a flour-like ingredient made out of uncooked ground rice having a sandy texture. It has low carb and high calories unlike cream of wheat which has an abundant amount of carbs, protein, and fibers.
Is cream of wheat whole grain?
No, cream of wheat is not whole-grain cereal because it lacks the bran part.
