What it means when food particles show up in your poop
Have you ever glanced into the toilet and noticed bits of your last meal staring back at you? Maybe some corn, seeds, or even small chunks of veggies? It can feel a little strange — and maybe even concerning — but according to Dr Gaurav Mehta, a consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, it's not always something to panic about.
'Seeing undigested food in your stool from time to time is actually pretty common,' says Dr Mehta. 'Especially if you've eaten foods that are high in fibre, like beans or corn. These types of foods have tough outer shells that don't break down easily during digestion.'
Another surprisingly common reason for spotting food remnants? Eating too quickly.
'When you don't chew properly, your digestive system has to work harder,' Dr Mehta explains. 'This means food might not get fully broken down, and you could see more of it come out the other end.'
That said, if it's happening frequently — and especially if it comes with other symptoms like stomach cramps, ongoing diarrhoea, fatigue, or even low haemoglobin — it might be a sign of something more serious going on.
'When you don't chew properly, your digestive system has to work harder,' Dr Mehta explains. (Source: Freepik)
Some conditions that can lead to undigested food showing up in your stool include:
Celiac disease, where gluten damages the small intestine
Pancreatic issues, which can affect how your body releases digestive enzymes
Lactose intolerance, which can cause bloating and food malabsorption
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which impacts gut motility
Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, which interfere with nutrient absorption
'While the occasional visible food particle isn't a big deal, it's important to listen to your body,' says Dr Mehta. 'If you notice it happening regularly, especially along with other changes in how you feel, it's a good idea to get it checked out.'
In short: Don't freak out if you spot a rogue kernel of corn or a sunflower seed. But if it's a regular occurrence or comes with other red flags, it's worth having a conversation with a gastro specialist.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist says ‘more fibre means better weight control'; shares best supplement for irritable bowel syndrome
Dr Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, often shares health and nutritional tips on Instagram that people who suffer from gut or liver issues or those who want to strengthen their gut microbiome should follow. Also Read | AIIMS, Harvard gastroenterologist ranks 6 common foods for gut health: Fermented foods score highest In a video shared on June 4, Dr Sethi talked about the 6 things about gut health that he wishes 'more people knew'. He posted educational inputs on fibre, how it benefits our body and can also create problems, what is the best supplement for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and more. Here are the 6 tips he shared: A post shared by Saurabh Sethi (@ 1. Vegetables often have less fibre than fruits, nuts, beans, and seeds. 2. About 90 percent of Americans are fibre-deficient. This trend of insufficient fibre intake is common worldwide. 3. More fibre = better weight control, cholesterol, reflux, and gut health. 4. Soluble fibre helps calm diarrhoea; insoluble fibre helps with constipation. 5. Add fibre slowly - some gas and bloating at first is totally normal. Your gut bugs are just adjusting. 6. Psyllium is the best-studied fibre supplement, especially helpful for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Also Read | How to protect gut and liver health in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s? Gastroenterologist shares tips The question now arises, why is fibre considered an important supplement for our gut health? According to the Mayo Clinic, dietary fibre increases the weight and size of stool and softens it. In general, bulky stool is easier to pass, and this lowers the chance of constipation. If you have loose, watery stools, fibre may help make them solid. That's because fibre absorbs water and adds bulk to stool. Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dietary fibre is fermented by the human gut microbiota, producing beneficial microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
UAE labour law: Can private sector employees take 6 months sick leave for major illness?
Employees in the UAE's private sector may be entitled to extended sick leave depending on the severity of their illness, explains legal expert Ashish Mehta, founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mehta, qualified to practise law in Dubai, the UK, and India, outlined the UAE's official sick leave policy and conditions for long-term absence in a recent Khaleej Times article. Sick leave entitlement under UAE law As per Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations, an employee who falls ill (from a non-work-related illness) must notify their employer within three working days and submit a medical certificate issued by a recognised medical authority. This requirement is explicitly stated in Article 31 (1): 'If the employee is infected by a disease not arising from a work injury, he shall inform the employer or his representative about his sickness, within a period not exceeding (3) three working days, and submit a medical report on his condition, issued by the medical entity.' Following the probation period, employees are entitled to a maximum of 90 days of sick leave per year, consecutive or otherwise. This is outlined under Article 31 (3) of the law, which breaks the 90 days down as follows: First 15 days: full pay Next 30 days: half pay Remaining 45 days: unpaid These rules apply regardless of the type or severity of the illness, as the law does not differentiate between medical conditions for leave eligibility. Options beyond the 90-day sick leave For employees needing more than 90 days, additional leave may be granted with the employer's approval. This provision is allowed under Article 33 (1) of the Employment Law: 'The employee may, after the consent of the employer, take an unpaid leave, other than leaves referred to herein.' In other words, while there is no automatic entitlement to more than 90 days, a worker can negotiate with their employer for extra unpaid leave on compassionate or humanitarian grounds, especially in the case of serious health conditions requiring extended recovery or treatment. Furthermore, combining unused annual leave with the 90-day sick leave may be an option. This would allow the employee to extend their overall time away from work with some continued income, provided the employer agrees. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Employer's right to terminate after leave is exhausted Importantly, if an employee does not return to work after exhausting their official sick leave entitlement, the employer may legally terminate the employment contract. This is stated clearly in Article 31 (5): 'The employer may dismiss the employee if he fails to report to work, after exhausting his sick leave referred to in this Article, and the employee shall reserve all his entitlements pursuant to the provisions of this Decree-Law and its Executive Regulations.' This means that while dismissal is permissible, the employee still retains their legal rights to end-of-service benefits and any unpaid dues, as protected under the law. Legal summary and practical advice Summarising the legal position, Ashish Mehta stated: 'You are eligible for full salary for the first 15 days of your sick leave. Thereafter, half salary for the next 30 days of sick leave and without any pay for any subsequent period of your sick leave.' 'You must provide a medical certificate/report to your employer on availing sick leave within 3 days from the date of you availing sick leave.' 'As you intend to avail long sick leave, you may request your employer to combine your sick leave with annual leave and further if required you may also request to grant you unpaid leave due to your long-term sickness.' While UAE labour law offers structured sick leave entitlements, extended leave up to six months is not automatic and depends entirely on employer discretion and compassionate allowances. Employees facing major illnesses are advised to engage in open dialogue with their employer, supported by proper medical documentation, and consider blending paid, unpaid, and annual leave options where necessary.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Is it normal to poop thrice a day?
Consistent bowel movements indicate that your health is in its prime and all's well on the inside. While some people poop multiple times a day, some others poop once in a couple of days. With so much discourse online about the safety and ideal frequency of passing bowels, we decided to get to the end of it! In conversation with Dr Jatin Yegurla, consultant gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and advanced therapeutic endoscopist at Apollo Clinic Manikonda, found out the ideal number. 'It's normal for some people to do this every day, others every other day, and still others once a week. People engage in this behavior at a wide range of frequencies. What's considered normal for one is not so for another,' said Yegurla. 'If you pass three bowel movements a day, then that is alright so long as it is an established routine and all stools are well-formed. However, where all this happens out of the blue with discomfort, pain, or hardened mushy feces, then seeking the intervention of a healthcare professional may be necessary,' he explained. In order to make sure you have healthy bowel movement in place, Dr Yegurla recommended these 5 lifestyle tweaks: 'Ingest a diet with lots of fiber that includes fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains,' said Dr Yegurla, adding that people must drink plenty of water during the day so that stools can be soft and make the process of passing them easier. 'One of the options is to think about the consumption of probiotics, chief examples of which are found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir to name a few,' he added. Consistent physical activity can keep your digestive system working well and increase your likelihood of going to the bathroom regularly. 'Make an effort to go to the bathroom at the same time each day. It will help if you train your body to pass stools consistently,' advised the doctor. He shared that a person's body reacts individually when exposed to various types of food, and adjustments should be made as appropriate, as some foods may also cause constipation or diarrhea. 'If you are under too much stress or anxiety, even your digestive system suffers. It is possible to reduce these symptoms when you learn meditation and find out how to relax through yoga. When you feel you have to poop, go immediately rather than postponing it since delaying may cause constipation,' shared Dr Yegurla. Dr Vikas Jindal, consultant, dept of gastroenterology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi pointed out that if you happen to experience irregular bowel movements despite making these lifestyle changes, it may be indicative of underlying issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, or a dietary imbalance. 'Seek medical advice if symptoms are accompanied by severe pain, blood in stools, or unexplained weight loss, as these could signal more serious conditions,' he advised. Dr Rahul Dubbaka, Consultant, gastroenterology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, further mentioned that over-the-counter laxatives, bulk-forming agents, and stimulants are popular solutions to this problem nowadays. But while they can help relieve the condition, one should always use them with caution and only under the guidance of a healthcare professional. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
