The American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends a minimum of 20-35 g/day for a healthy adult while the British Nutrition Foundation has recommended a minimum fiber intake of 12-24 g/day for healthy adults. I did an analysis of my daily food consumption habits and found my diet far short of the recommended daily fibre dose.
I am a poor struggling university student. Starved of time, money and energy I have been negligent in my diet. I am concerned over my lack of bowel movement. Part of the reason why I don't eat as much fruits and vegetables here in Australia, is because getting it fresh is very expensive. Between meeting utilities, paying for petrol, rent etc, setting a budget for fresh fruits and veg is difficult at times.
Here's what I've been eating on average:
Breakfast
2 slices of white toast with margarine
1 cup of coffee, brewed with milk.
Lunch
1 serving of rice, 1 serving of vegetables and a meat choice, with an apple.
Dinner
1 serving of pasta and 1 apple.
During the course of the day I'll snack on a packet of M&Ms (WITH PEANUTS!) or a can of Coke; sometimes I'll munch on an apple or peanut butter brittle.
Well, I am anxious about not having as regular a bowel movement as I'd like it to be. Sometimes I think its because while growing up I have a tendency to need to take a dump at the most unfortunate and most awkward of times (like on long commutes to school, or during school assemblies!).
So I developed the ability to suppress the urge to defecate so well, it just takes a lot more to make me want to go to the loo!
