Regularity Matters: Let's Talk About It

What You Will Learn

• What regularity really means

• Why frequency is only part of the story

• How the Bristol Stool Chart can help you evaluate bowel habits

• Three daily habits that support regularity

Let's be honest.

Most people are comfortable talking about protein, vitamins, exercise routines, and healthy recipes. Ask someone how often they're having bowel movements, and the conversation tends to get a little quieter. 🤨

Which is funny when you think about it.

Eating is a daily activity. Drinking water is a daily activity. Going to the bathroom is a daily activity. Yet regularity remains one of the least talked-about aspects of health.

The reality is that regularity matters.

It can affect how comfortable you feel throughout the day, how confident you feel while traveling, and how your body functions from one day to the next. Yet many people aren't entirely sure what "regular" actually means, and plenty of us have wondered whether our own bathroom habits are normal.

So let's have the conversation.

What Does Regularity Actually Mean?

One of the biggest myths about bowel habits is that everyone should have exactly one bowel movement every day.

In reality, there is no single schedule that works for everyone.

For some people, regularity means going more than once a day. For others, it may mean every other day. Healthcare professionals generally consider a range of bowel patterns to be normal.  

What matters most is consistency.

JBB Fun Fact: The magic number to remember is 3. Three times a day to 3 times per week is considered “normal”. 

Regularity is often characterized by bowel movements that are:

• Comfortable

• Predictable

• Easy to pass

• Free from excessive straining

• Complete and satisfying

In other words, regularity isn't about comparing your bathroom habits to someone else's. It's about understanding what is normal for your body and recognizing when something feels off. 

It's Not Just About How Often You Go

When most people think about regularity, they focus on frequency. But healthcare professionals often look at another important factor: stool consistency.

One commonly used tool is the Bristol Stool Chart, which categorizes bowel movements into seven different types based on appearance and texture.

At one end of the scale are hard, pellet-like stools that may be difficult to pass. At the other end are loose, watery stools. In the middle are smooth, soft, well-formed stools that are considered ideal.

The chart serves as a useful reminder that healthy bowel habits involve more than a schedule. Frequency, consistency, comfort, and predictability all contribute to regularity. 

Get more information about the Bristol Stool Chart here!

Three Habits That Support Regularity

While every body is different, three daily habits consistently show up in conversations about regularity: getting enough fiber, staying hydrated, and moving your body.

Fiber

If regularity had a VIP section, fiber would be at the top of the guest list.

One of the most common reasons people struggle with regularity is surprisingly simple: they're not getting enough fiber.

While experts recommend roughly 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day, most Americans consume only about half that amount. That's what nutrition professionals often call the fiber gap.

The challenge isn't that people don't care about their health. Most of us are doing our best. Life gets busy. Meals happen on the run. Vegetables don't always make it onto the plate. Before long, those missed grams start to add up.

Fiber helps support healthy bowel habits, promotes stool bulk, and nourishes beneficial bacteria in the gut. It's one of the reasons dietitians spend so much time talking about fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

The reality is that reaching 25 to 38 grams per day can be difficult, even for people who make healthy choices. That's why many people use a prebiotic fiber supplement to help close the fiber gap to support regularity and a healthy gut. 

Hydration

Most of us have experienced it. A busy week. A long road trip. A day spent running errands in the summer heat. Somewhere along the way, that water bottle gets forgotten.

Then a day or two later, regularity feels different. That's because adequate hydration is essential for healthy bowel function. Water helps keep stools comfortable to pass. When the body doesn't have enough fluid, bowel movements can become harder, uncomfortable, and unpredictable. 😣

If fiber is the star of the regularity conversation, hydration is its supporting cast. The two work together every day to support healthy bowel habits and optimal digestive wellness. 

Movement

Your digestive system likes movement almost as much as the rest of your body does.

Think about how often we're encouraged to move for our heart, muscles, bones, and mental health. Regularity belongs on that list, too.

Physical activity helps support the natural rhythm of the digestive tract and is one of the everyday habits associated with healthy bowel function.

You don't need a gym membership or a complicated workout plan to benefit. A walk around the neighborhood, time spent working in the yard, a bike ride, or simply finding more opportunities to move throughout the day can all help support regularity. 

The Bottom Line

Most of us pay attention when the scale changes, when our energy drops, or when something hurts.

Regularity deserves that same level of attention.

Your bowel habits can offer valuable clues about hydration, fiber intake, activity levels, and gut health. Changes in regularity are often your body's way of letting you know that something in your routine may need attention.

Whether you're talking with a spouse, a friend, a registered dietitian nutritionist, or your healthcare provider, regularity is a normal part of health and an important topic worth discussing.

After all, everybody poops. 💩🙂