If you are someone who stands up and flushes without looking, then we can’t be friends!
Okay, okay, I am willing to try to make it work but you are going to need to start looking in the bowl.
Our poops are saying so much about the state of our GI health, if only we would pay attention. If you have ever seen the Bristol Stool Chart hanging in the doctors office or somewhere online, this is such an incredible tool for self-assessing our digestion.
Let’s break it down.
Type 1: hard pellet poo - this means you are likely dehydrated or lacking adequate fiber in the gut. Sometimes constipation is also a microbiome issue to be identified.
Type 2: larger hard lumps - this also means constipation, missing fiber, missing hydration, or microbiome issues.
Type 3: sausage shape but cracked or lumpy - likely dehydration.
Type 4: smooth and snake like - this is the perfect poo!
Type 5: soft blobs or pieces that pass easily - can be a problem with digestive enzyme production, food sensitivity/intolerance, lack of bulking fiber, microbiome issues, infections, or stress.
Type 6: pudding poo or the cow pie - this is commonly a food sensitivity issue or infection, but can also be related to anxiousness.
Type 7: liquid poo - infection, digestive issue, food intolerance, or anxiety!
What is your poo telling you!? Sometimes we can address dietary changes, hydration, and lifestyle and the issues remain. Reach out if that is the case for you because sometimes the answers lie in microbiome testing with a stool analysis and that can make all the difference.