New Year, New You: 3 Resolutions for Better Bowel Health

Your bowel health is an important aspect of your overall gut health. Poor bowel health can negatively impact the rest of your digestive system and put you at risk for issues such as bloating, constipation, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. 

If you’ve resolved to make healthier choices this new year, consider incorporating habits that improve bowel and digestive health as well. 

A healthy bowel and digestive system can improve overall wellness, so our team, led by Betsy Clemens, MD, at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Town and Country, Missouri, wants to provide three practical ways you can boost your bowel health in 2026 in this month’s blog.

1. Eat a balanced diet 

Irregular bowel movements and other issues, such as hemorrhoids and constipation, can often be addressed and managed with dietary changes since a well-balanced diet promotes regular bowel movements and healthy digestion. 

There are two key components of a bowel-healthy diet. 

The first is to limit your intake of sugary, fatty, and processed foods. 

The other is boosting your intake of nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, and whole grains. Including a fiber supplement can also encourage more efficient digestion.

Another aspect of your diet that can keep things moving is water intake. Staying hydrated can keep your body from getting backed up and developing digestive issues. We recommend drinking a glass of water when you wake up and with every meal. 

2. Exercise regularly 

Moving your body boosts your physical and digestive health. When you live a more sedentary lifestyle, digestion slows down, leading to bloating, constipation, and hemorrhoids. However, the more you move your body, the more your digestive system moves things along. 

While you may think that exercising regularly has to mean that you have to do physically intense workouts for several hours a week, that’s not necessary for optimal digestive health. 

Instead, find a variety of physical activities that you enjoy and aim to move your body for about 30 minutes a day, five days per week.

3. Train your body

If you deal with frequent constipation or hemorrhoids, you may want to consider training your body’s bowel movements. This includes teaching yourself to have a bowel movement at the same time every day to keep things regular. 

When thinking about this practice, you want to consider your current bowel habits, diet, and daily schedule. By setting aside time to use the bathroom, your body should learn to have a bowel movement regularly. 

Other habits for regular bowel movements include avoiding sitting on the toilet for too long, never putting off the urge to go, and not straining during a bowel movement. 

To learn more about how to promote better bowel health in the new year, schedule a consultation with our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.