At times, it appears children are more interested in their bowel functioning than they should be. And at times, parents may be a little too interested in their child's bowel habits. When these problems reach a point where they interfere with a child's day-to-day functioning, then it's a problem. Here's some diet suggestions for those children suffering from constipation.
Diet For Constipation
- Decrease the use of milk products. Avoid ice cream, cheese, and yogurt.
- Avoid sweet rolls, cookies, cakes, and white bread.
- Serve only wheat breads and cereals (oatmeal, Cheerios, Ralston, Wheatena, granola, etc.)
- Avoid apples, apple juice, bananas, jello, carrots, and rice. These tend to be constipating.
- Encourage salads, pure fruit juices, and lots of water. Also encourage all fruits, dried or fresh, except
apples and bananas. - No peanut butter.
- Encourage beans and legumes (sprouts, peas, and lentils). Prepare and serve potatoes with the skin.
- All vegetables, raw and fresh, are allowed.
- Unprocessed bran or bran flour, 2-3 heaping teaspoons daily, may be added to foods such as cereals,
hamburgers, casseroles, etc.
Oat Bran Muffins
A delicious, healthful muffin
- 2 cups oatbran cereal (Quaker)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 tsp. baking powdert
- 1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
- 1 cup skim or 2% lowfat milk
- 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
- 1/4 cup honey or molasses
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
Line muffin tins with paper liners or spray bottoms only with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add milk, egg whites, honey, and oil and mix just until dry. Ingredients are moistened. Fill muffin cups almost full. Bake at 425 for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.
NOTE: Muffins can also be made using 1« cups oatbran and « cup flour in place of 2 cups
oatbran.
YIELD: Makes 1 dozen muffins.
VARIATIONS
Add to the batter one of the following combinations:
- 1/4 cup raisins and 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 medium banana) and 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup chopped apple (about 1 small apple)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts and 1 tsp. cinnamon
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 to 17 minutes
