Can spinach make constipation worse?

[janke]

I`ve been eating spinach in an effort to improve my constipation but it has actually got worse! I know it contains a lot of iron and when I was pregnant many years ago I had to stop taking iron tables because they made me so constipated. I wonder if the spinach is working in the same way

I feel I need more green veg in my diet and there isn`t much that is fodmap friendly

[Kilgh]

Don't know about Spinach causing issues, but there are heaps of Low FODMAP veges according to the Monash Uni list. Lettuces for one if you want a spinach-like alternative. Or Bok Choy. Basil, parsley, peppermint, sage also.

[Eliana5]

I know that cold spinach like in a salad actually helps constipation because of it's high fiber content. But if the spinach you are eating is the warm kind, I don't know if it has enough iron to cause constipation. Usually iron tablets or supplements will be constipating, but I don't think the low amount in food would pose a problem. Do you eat it everyday..maybe do a trial and error and not eat it for a few days and see what happens. I do know that Red meat, milk, bread, pastries, pasta and cheese (except aged) can cause IBS-C.

[auntyjean]

Last time I at a small portion of spinach I was in terrible pain all the next day. Pak choy and broccoli affect me the same. Lettuce isn't quite so bad but still gives pain. I know these veg are low fodmap but I can't eat them. Like you I feel I need green veg but mainly stick to root veg, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, courgette and pumpkin and just hope I'm getting enough nutrients.

[Eliana5 in reply to auntyjean]

It sounds like you are..☺. Unfortunately, I can only do canned vegetables like Mandarin oranges, pears, peaches. Anything with skin on is insoluble fiber with too much sorbitol and it hurts my tummy. I can manage Apple slices with no skin that they sell at Kroger or Wal-Mart here..maybe a chef salad..but that's about it. No fun living like this..