Stool Analysis and Poo Chart

Well, now that The Boy is pretty much potty trained, I’ve had the privledge of putting on my doctor’s hat (parents where many hats.  chef, chauffeur, doctor, laundress, mom, dad, Santa, Easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc) on.  Now, when I see his poop, I know little nuggets are not a healthy thing.   Watching Eat Yourself Healthy prompted me to look up  the poo chart they happened to be using on this episode.    Ta-da!  The cheat sheet of poo analysis.  Supposedly, Stage 3-4 is acceptable.  Stage 4  being the goal.  Stage 3 being that you need a bit more water in your lifestyle.

It’s hard to balance the nutritional intake for yourself, and even more so for your picky eater toddler.  But, making smoothies with all this glorious, ripe, in-season fruit has made it a little easier.  Throwing some fresh fruit on top of ice cream or into some jello had made it easier.  Making my own burgers and hiding some veggies in the ground beef by using the food processor has also helped.  Gotta love summer bbq eats.

Just thought I’d help you make an informed doo-doo decision when you have to decide what your body needs.

ENJOY!

TYPE 1 Separate hard lumps, like nuts. Harder to  pass

This indicates that you have a lack of fiber, insufficient fluid intake and a slow transit time. Increase your intake of water, herbal teas, raw fruit and vegetables, cooked grains such as brown rice, quinoa and millet, sprouted pulses, flax seeds and olive oil. Avoid meat, dairy, wheat, eggs, refined carbohydrates and sugar.

TYPE 2 Sausage shape but lumpy

This indicates the stool has spent too long in the colon. More water and fibre are needed. Increase your intake of water, herbal teas, fruit and vegetables, cooked grains such as brown rice, quinoa and millet, sprouted pulses, flax seeds and olive oil. Avoid meat, dairy, wheat, eggs, refined carbohydrates and sugar.

TYPE 3 Like a sausage but with cracks on the surface

The cracks on the surface indicate that the stool maybe a bit dry. Increase water intake.

TYPE 4 Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft

This is a healthy bowel movement that is easy to pass – well done!

Type 5 Soft blobs with clear cut edges which pass easily

This may indicate that your bowels are moving a bit too fast. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and dehydration. Increase your fibre especially from cooked whole grains such as brown rice, millet and quinoa. Supplementing with probiotics may well improve digestion and absorption. Psyllium husks can also improve bowel movements.

TYPE 6 Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool

Again, the mushiness indicates that insufficient water has been re-absorbed from the stool, indicating a rapid transit time and poor absorption of nutrients. This may be caused by poor diet, food intolerances and/or an imbalance in gut bacteria. Eat whole grains as indicated above. Avoid having too much fruit, raw vegetables and juices for a while. Supplement with probiotic capsules or powder to repopulate the gut with good bacteria.

TYPE 7 Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid

This is not good and probably indicates an infection of some kind. Get checked out by your doctor. Eat well cooked brown rice and home made vegetable soups to replace lost electrolytes. Make sure you replace lost fluids with water or herbal teas. Probiotics can help to repopulate the gut with good bacteria.