When you’re on a date or just spending quality time with your partner, you’re likely thinking about a lot of things. What you’re wearing, what you’re talking about, how much fun you’re having. But according to a new study, you may also be focused on something a little less pleasant: pooping. Or rather, not pooping.
In honor of #NationalPoopDay (which is today!), MyFitnessPal surveyed 4,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 59 and discovered some interesting insights into the pooping habits of Americans, especially when it pertains to dating and relationships.
The Survey Results
In a survey conducted by the MyFitnessPal research team, 32 percent of people surveyed admitted they’ve changed their eating habits to avoid pooping in front of a date or significant other. That means they’ve turned down foods famous for causing an urgent trip to the bathroom, including anything spicy or greasy and, of course, beans.
Even more than that, 60 percent of people surveyed say they hold off pooping when they’re around their partners. This was especially true among Gen Z, more so than Gen X or Millennials.
For as hesitant as we are about pooping when other people are around, we’re almost equally unsure about what keeps us regular. Our study revealed that only 52 percent of people surveyed pay attention to how much fiber they’re consuming throughout the day, and in general, believe they’re aware of how much is in the foods they’re eating.
Why Fiber is Important for Digestion
Dietary fiber—which is most prevalent in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains—is key in keeping us regular and preventing constipation. Soluble fiber slows down digestion, while insoluble fiber gets food and waste moving through the digestive tract. Both contribute to an overall healthy and efficient digestive system.
It’s clear that fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. And yet, according to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines, more than 90 percent of women and 97 percent of men aren’t consuming enough fiber on the regular.
Also read >> Essential Guide to Fiber
How to Track Your Fiber
So you know you need fiber, but how much? While everyone has different dietary needs, the Institute of Medicine recommends 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men.
The truth is, it can be really difficult to gauge how much fiber you’re eating each day. The (free!) MyFitnessPal app can help.
Add more fibrous foods to your diet, watch that number tick up, and, most importantly, see your digestion improve. Less worrying about whether you’re going to have to poop mid-date and more, you know, actually enjoying the company of the person you’re with. Fiber FTW.
