How Often Should You Poop? What’s Normal and What’s Not

The Unmentionables is a series that answers common questions we all have about our bodies but are sometimes afraid to ask.

How often do you poop? And have you ever wondered if it’s normal? No matter what you call it — poop, stool, or a bowel movement — there are a lot of factors that influence how frequently you go and what it looks like. 

But do you really have to have a bowel movement daily? And are there any benefits to pooping every day? It turns out that what’s normal can be different for different people. So while you don’t have to poop everyday, you should have a poop schedule that prevents constipation. 

How often should you poop?

What’s considered normal when it comes to how often you should poop varies a lot. The average person poops between three times a day and three times a week. That’s a big difference. But the most important thing is how easy it is to pass the stool. When you poop, your stools should be soft, formed, and easy to pass, no matter how often you go. 

If it’s hard for you to poop, you go less than three times a week, or you need to strain, you may have constipation. On the other hand, going more than three times a day with stools that are runny or watery is considered diarrhea.

Can foods change how often you poop?

Yes, food and drinks can change how often you poop. They can also change the color and consistency of your poop. The amount of fluid that you drink makes a big difference, too. Staying well hydrated helps you go more easily. 

Foods that make you poop more

There are some foods that can stimulate the bowels and make you poop more often. Let’s review these types of foods below.

High-fiber foods

Foods high in fiber can help you poop more. If you’re having a hard time pooping, you might want to try eating more:

• Fresh fruits

• Vegetables

• Whole grains

These foods contain fiber, which is very important when it comes to your bowel habits. Eating at least 25 g to 30 g of fiber daily helps bulk up your stool and keep it formed. It also allows stool to pass through the colon more easily, preventing constipation. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Not pooping enough? Learn more about the signs and symptoms of constipation and what you can do about it.

• Is green poop normal? Find out what your poop color says about your health.

• Worst foods for diarrhea: Here’s a list of what you should avoid eating when you have diarrhea.

Coffee

Have you heard people talk about needing their morning coffee to help them poop? Well, it turns out that there’s some truth to this. Caffeine is a stimulant that activates the contractions in your colon. The stool is pushed forward more quickly when this happens, resulting in a bowel movement.

Probiotics

Probiotics contain living microorganisms that keep your colon healthy. There are different strains of probiotics. Some, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may help increase the frequency of bowel movements. 

More studies are needed before we can say for certain if probiotics help. But it may be worth trying if you’re having trouble pooping. 

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You can get probiotics by eating certain foods — like yogurt and fermented foods — or taking a probiotic supplement pill. 

Foods that make you poop less

If you’re pooping more often than you’d like due to diarrhea or other reasons, there are foods that can make you poop less. Generally, this includes foods like:

• White rice

• Pasta

• Eggs

• Applesauce

The BRAT diet is often recommended to rest the stomach and bowels if you’ve had diarrhea. It features foods that are soft, low in fiber, and easy to digest. The acronym stands for:

• Bananas

• Rice

• Applesauce

• Toast

Also, if you’ve had diarrhea, you may want to avoid dairy products. They make diarrhea worse for many people.

What are the signs of constipation?

Constipation is when you poop fewer than three times a week. Signs that you might be constipated include:

• Stools that are hard to pass

• The need to strain when pooping

• Only small amounts of stool coming out

• Bloating and cramping

How do you relieve constipation?

If you’re constipated, there are some easy changes that you can make at home to get relief. First, try increasing your water intake. As mentioned before, being hydrated will make your stools softer and easier to pass. 

You can also try eating some of the foods that we mentioned above. If you’re still not getting relief, you might want to try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication for constipation. Some options include:

• Osmotic laxatives like Miralax

• Stool softeners like Colace

• Stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax

The Bristol Stool Chart

We’ve mentioned that it’s best for your stools to be “soft,” but you may be wondering what exactly that means or looks like. Luckily, the Bristol Stool Chart was created to help you describe your stool to a healthcare professional. If you aren’t sure if your stool looks normal, this chart can help you decide. 

How do you maintain a regular poop cycle?

The answer to how often you should poop will be different for each person. But you should have a poop cycle that’s consistent. The best thing you can do to stay on a regular poop cycle is:

• Eat a diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables

• Get plenty of fiber

• Drink plenty of water

• Get regular physical activity

How do you know when to seek medical care?

If your poop schedule isn’t ideal, you might be wondering when you need to seek medical care. You should see a healthcare professional if you have symptoms like:

• A sudden change in your usual stool pattern

• Bright red blood in your stools

• Dark, tar-like or black stools

• Frequent diarrhea or constipation

• Diarrhea after you eat

• Greasy or foul-smelling stools

• Discolored stools that are pale in color, gray, red, or black 

• Abdominal pain, fatigue, or weight loss

• Skinny stools

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Windy Watt, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Windy Watt, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with 30 years of experience. She has an extensive background in critical care, internal medicine, family practice, and urgent care.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Valerie Emuakhagbon, MD

Valerie Emuakhagbon, MD, is a board-certified colorectal surgeon. A native of Dallas, Texas, she completed the six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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Meet our experts

The Unmentionables is a series that focuses on common curiosities about our bodies that, at some point, have been labeled as taboo, shameful, or embarrassing. But these are important questions we all have about our health, and we should be able to ask them. This series aims to dispel the stigma, normalize the discussion, and openly address these important health topics. 

Don’t be shy. Someone else has the same question, so ask away!