“There is nothing so overrated as orgasm and as underrated as excrement.” I’ve heard this quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin but now I can’t seem to find a source. So what is it doing here? It began innocently. I asked my youngest son what I ought to blog about this week and with 8 year old humor he answered, “Poop.” Don’t worry, there’s no photo of the product.
An Underrated Experience
Although this started out funny, it is widely acknowledged that one of the reasons that colon cancer and other diseases are often only caught in the later stages is that we don’t like to talk about our poop. And doesn’t that seem odd when we spend so much time talking about the food that we are putting into our bodies? It makes sense that we discuss what comes out the other end. After the loss of her husband who was 42 years old, Katie Couric declared, “Don’t be fool, talk about your stool.” Then she bravely endured a colonoscopy on national television. Researchers at the University of Michigan have dubbed the 20 % increase in colonoscopies performed the following years, “the Couric effect”.
When detected early, colon cancer victims have a 90% survivor rate but let’s focus on avoiding that diagnosis all together. One answer is fiber. Studies vary but suffice it to say that the average citizen in most developed countries doesn’t have adequate fiber intake. The recommended amounts differ depending upon age and sex and which source you’re reading but 25 – 30 grams wouldn’t hurt any of us. In fact, some studies show that upping the fiber intake is actually a more effective weight loss strategy than eating a low fat diet. Making high fiber foods a consistent part of our diets can help reduce risk of constipation, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity, colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease. That’s plenty!
Among the virtues of fruits and vegetables are their high fiber content. This extends to grains and most importantly to legumes. (Don’t worry. My sons guarantee another post around the virtue of beans.) Legumes are easy to cook ahead of time. They freeze well and they’re easy to incorporate into daily meals. While eating the right things is a great strategy, I don’t want to lose focus on the true intent of this post. When your loved ones emerge from the loo, the WC, the bathroom or whatever you name your relief station, ask them how it went. It’s a topic that may save a life.
How can you incorporate more fiber into your diet and who will you tell about it?
- 6 oz asparagus cut in 1/2 inch pieces
- 6 oz cauliflower cut in bite-size pieces
- 6 oz celery chopped
- 6 oz cooked kidney beans
- 3 oz filberts chopped fine (hazelnuts)
- 4 Tbs sunflower oil
- 1 and 1/2 tsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
Agrigirl's Blog 
Hannah
/ February 9, 2011My grandpa had his bowels removed because of colon cancer (he’s still growing strong), and a close friend of my mum’s in her 50s died less than a year after being diagnosed with the same cancer. Thank you for reminding people about the seriousness of this, and encouraging me to open up a can of chickpeas and snack on them. (Yes, that really is what I’m about to do.)
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011I love chickpeas and they area a great way to get more fiber. Glad your granddad is doing well.
Paula Tohline Calhoun
/ February 9, 2011Good post! When I started a couple of years ago to change the way I eat – I ended up losing a lot of weight, but the main focus was and still is to change my lifestyle and the way I approach food. The two major changes I incorporated into my daily life were: Lots of fiber, and lots of water! I try to average 40 grams pf fiber a day. Initially, with water drinking, I tried to drink an ounce of water for every pound I weighed. At the beginning that was hard – as I lost weight, it got easier! (In more ways than one! :-D) I still drink a lot of water, but I don’t measure; however, I count fiber grams all the time, and when there is a choice in a particular food brand or type, I always opt for more fiber. Makes decisions a lot easier. 😀
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Thanks for sharing Pauline. It’s nice to hear that it really does work.
nrhatch
/ February 10, 2011When I saw the title, I thought, “Ah, Tammy’s going to talk about worm poop and composting.”
Surprise!
Eating more fiber is definitely key to good colon health.
I looked for the source of the quote for you. No luck ~ but found lots of “interesting” articles on sex and bowel movements.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011I do think I’m going to talk about worm poop at some point.
Sally Mom
/ February 10, 2011I absolutely agree with water! Probably the most important thing we can do for our bodies and next, benificial fiber.
Get rid of sugar and bad fats, eat more vegetables, and fruit in moderation, and complex carbs. We are what we eat.
Complextions and skin, body mechanics, help this machine, our body, run smooth and efficiently.
Great subject and so on target with health
success.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011I think that many people do not know what good fiber looks like. Again, it’s an education issue.
Estrella Azul
/ February 10, 2011This may seem like an odd topic at first, but thanks for reminding us to be more aware of things… it may save a life!
I remember the doctors asking me right before surgery a couple of years ago what color my poop was – I had absolutely no idea. Luckily that wasn’t the problem, but it did raise my awareness afterwards.
So many of your recipes are on my ‘yet to have tried’ list, but I’ll get back to you after I give this recipe a try also (will leave out the celery though…) 😉
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Let me know how you like it.
Todd Pack
/ February 10, 2011Nicely done, Tammy, but, seriously what did you expect when you asked an 8-year-old boy for a blog topic?
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Yes, I know. One day I may learn my lesson. I was just trying to “inclusive”.
The Table of Promise
/ February 10, 2011Excellent post. And the Ben Franklin quote made me laugh out loud!!
One thing that you also didn’t mention is that there are toxins in conventionally raised foods. Pesticide residues, hormones, antibiotics and a whole host of other toxic preservatives in small quantities that our beloved FDA considers as GRAS…. While it is good to avoid all these items completely, most people don’t or can’t because of a lack of access to whole unprocessed or organic food sources. But fiber helps because if you can move your food through your body in 12 hours as is recommended, there is a greatly reduced risk that any of these toxins are absorbed. I believe that the non-food chemicals and preservatives in our food are making us very sick with cancer specifically. So not consuming these chemicals, or moving them out fast enough to avoid exposure will certainly help lower your risk!
Poop is awesome. I have been wanting to write a poop post on my blog, but just like you, I was nervous about the gross out factor. Great job!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Oh, this is great information! Thanks for including it. Bottom line, we want to keep it all moving.
milkayphoto
/ February 10, 2011Hate to say it, but poop gets discussed often in our house! Just spoke about it with my doc on Monday (annual physical) and I am regular as the day is long. Woohoo!
A few years back, we made a conscious decision to make sure we buy foods that have decent amounts of fiber in them. Seems to be working so far!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Sounds like you’re doing great.
kateshrewsday
/ February 10, 2011Delicious, Tammy. (The recipe, I mean) You’ve given me a resolution to up the fibre in my house….
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011I actually made it again tonight and although I wish the sauce had a more appealing color, the kids eat right through it. Let me know if you try it.
Cris
/ February 10, 2011Your son seems to right on target! We drove through South Miami last week and saw dozens of banners for the new exhibit at the local zoo – “Poop.” The actual topic was different from yours, I expect, but it sure does get some attention.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Oh, that’s great. It will be a great draw for kids, I’m sure.
Cindy
/ February 10, 2011Oh Tammy, you did make me smile 😀
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Was it the title or the photo or the quote?
herbanlifestyle
/ February 10, 2011Great title, and important message! It reminded me of the praises sung to its diagnostic significance in the Scrubs musical piece, “Everything comes down to poo” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-OIgXyvzUU
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011I LOVED this. Thank you so much.
souldipper
/ February 10, 2011This is my food style, Tammy. I dived into a study of the Alkaline life style for a few reasons about three years ago.
Amazingly, it meant I was eating foods I love – primarily veggies, grains, seeds, and fruit.
The benefits are as you cited.
My oldest sister was laden with polyps so my Dr. sent me off for a colonoscopy. Not a polyp to be found.
On a humorous note, my friend of Dutch descent has taught me that her culture not only promotes talking about stools, they have now manufactured toilets that allow a good study prior to flushing. We laugh about it, but with respect.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011If you get a chance, watch the video that herbanlifestyle posted. My kids and I just did and I’m still crying with laughter.
PS – will email you to learn more about alkaline.
dellagation
/ February 10, 2011Fabulous and relevant! Goes right along with all the things I am learning about nutrition. Sharing with my classmates.:-)
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011Thanks Della. I appreciate you sharing it.
gweneverenewell
/ February 10, 2011Does it count if it’s green beans? Or what about baked beans? I try but I really can’t stand just plain old dried beans! Taste like dirt! Either way, great post and I’ll be sure to add in some high fiber veggies in my garden this year!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 10, 2011So, throw a can of beans in the blender with garlic and some spices and use it like hummus.
Paige
/ February 10, 2011I have to tell you that I loved reading this post. Even though it was about poo. I usually get my fill of poo with my puppies and kitten. This is much better. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ February 11, 2011Those are chores!
I Made You A Mixtape
/ February 12, 2011LMAO!! I have NEVER heard that quote before…it is genius!
Very good post- love your blog!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 12, 2011Glad you liked it. Enjoy your blog also.
Ollin
/ February 12, 2011Wow. Tammy, you just did something that was genius. You wrote a post about poop that was well-written, eye-opening, and incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 12, 2011Now. that’s talent, eh?
Bob Champagne
/ February 12, 2011lol- that’s way too good!! It took me a while to get past the first 2 paragraphs and the photo (laughing too hard), but its a good message. Perhaps one of the more circuitous routes I’ve seen to the colon cancer discussion but what the heck- it’s getting awareness and that’s what matters. BTW- my wife has two pics of my boys when they were that young in a similar pose, but i think there would be hell to pay if those ever got out. Your little guy must like the attention. Anyway nice job. I’ve been sharing your blog with my wife and she’s already got a few of your recipes she wants to try out- and neither of us are real health nuts- so i think thats a compliment. Cheers, and keep up the good writing.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 12, 2011Yes, he was a very good sport letting me take that photo. Thanks for reading Bob. We’re actually going to see Katie Couric tonight at a benefit. I appreciate you sharing my blog.
bob champagne
/ February 13, 2011np- we really like the blog. I’m working to make mine a little more light hearted, but its hard to keep the business stuff and personal stuff working together. I may end up creating 2 blogs. btw- i just posted a draft on my blog re:valentines day. its a little more of a fun blog post, but i think you’ll like it. Have a good one.
Kathy
/ February 13, 2011Tammy, this was a great blog! Thank you for posting it. We need to talk about our poop. Both my mother and grandma had colon cancer–although both lived through it. I had to have my first colonoscopy in my 40’s and probably should have another one. Happy to have visited your blog today.
nursemyra
/ February 14, 2011you could have lifted this chart from my blog for your post
http://nursemyra.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/give-me-a-break/
Tammy McLeod
/ February 14, 2011Great chart. Yes, it would’ve worked perfect.
Naomi
/ February 18, 2011Well said, Tammy – and love that pic 😀
isathreadsoflife
/ February 20, 2011Love those freckles and expression 😉 A great blog, Tammy. If we eat five portions of fruits/veges a day, as advised, we should be alright. And it is quite easy to eat one or two fruits in the morning, a salad or veges at lunchtime, another fruit in the afternoon and more veges at supper. we should have enough fibers for the day. Thanks for reminding us of this !
Tammy McLeod
/ February 20, 2011Yes, it’s not hard to do when you lay it out in simple terms. Personally, I try to get them in at breakfast so that I am set for the day.
OysterCulture
/ February 20, 2011Tammy, I don’t need to tell you what a great topic this is and I love visiting your site and never knowing what I am going to learn are be reminded to consider. I agree with the person who mentioned in addition to fiber its getting the gunk out of our bodies that could be causing us harm. I know when I do not make or am unable to make good eating decisions I am not as regular as I like, its almost as if the bad stuff wants to stick around longer. It just reinforces for me the need to make healthy choices. When I eat right, I feel like the whole system is in sync and working as it should.
Bob Champagne
/ February 22, 2011Tammy- my beagle ate a whole tennis ball today. I am now going to take him for a walk to finish expelling it…and to the vet tomorrow to ensure everything is ok (I suspect he’s fine). But I must admit that the first place I felt compelled to report this event was on the “poop blog”. You’ve really started something here- LOL
If he is in fact ok, I think the medical community may want to explore beagle research in their quest for optimal colon health. It appears they can consume anything (shoes, tennis balls, metal…) without any digestive problem whatsoever!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 22, 2011Ha! That is so funny – er, I guess it’s not. Glad you were inspired to report back.
Rukmini Roy
/ March 15, 2011Tammy, I love the way you blend knowledge and humor. Im thoroughly enjoying your posts as well as learning so much. Next time I want to come to the agrigirls blog, I know whom to follow: the ants from the “Ant Farm”. Loving your blog.
Tammy McLeod
/ March 15, 2011Thanks for visiting Rukmini. I try to engage readers with something that I’ve learned myself.