| | | Your diet affects all aspects of your health, in all sorts of ways. And it can have a particularly significant effect on your digestive system. For instance, eating lots of high fiber foods (think: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes) can help you regulate your digestion. On the other hand, eating lots of high protein and high fat foods can do the opposite, potentially leading to constipation and longer-than-usual trips to the bathroom. | | So, how much time should you actually spend on the toilet? Gastroenterologist Saurabh Sethi explains more below. | | | | | | | Hope this helps!
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
May 15, 2025 • 3 min read | | | | | |  | | | | Q: | How long is too long to be on the toilet? | | | A: | There's no "perfect" time, but generally, it should take about 5 minutes or less to complete a bowel movement. If you're taking significantly longer, it might be a sign of constipation or other digestive issues. The key is that it should be relatively quick and not uncomfortable.
Spending prolonged periods on the toilet, especially if you're straining, can put pressure on the rectum and lead to hemorrhoids or even pelvic floor dysfunction. It can also contribute to an increased risk of constipation, as you might be forcing your body to try to move stool that's too hard to pass easily. The more your body strains, the weaker the sphincter and pelvic floor muscles and nerves become. The result is that new stool backs up behind the hardened stool, worsening the constipation and bloating further.
If you're consistently spending a long time on the toilet, consider adjusting your diet to include more fiber or increasing your water intake. Here are some foods to prioritize: - fruit, including prunes, apples, pears, kiwis, figs, and citrus
- vegetables, including spinach and other leafy greens, artichokes, rhubarb, and sweet potatoes
- legumes, including beans, lentils, and peas
- seeds, including chia seeds and flaxseed
- grains, including rye bread and oat bran
Regular exercise can also help with bowel movements. Aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity movement per week. (What that means: You should be able to talk but not sing.)
If the problem persists, it's worth speaking with a doctor to rule out conditions like constipation or other digestive disorders. | | | | | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | | | | | Go with your gut | | | | |  | | Join Our Digestive Health Newsletter! | | Learn about the foods and lifestyle habits that support good gut health, plus how to manage common digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and chronic constipation. Sign up to start receiving your newsletter today! | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | Sponsored by | |  | |  | | | | Cooking at home doesn't have to be so stressful | | It can be challenging to keep up with all the tasks associated with balanced eating, such as meal planning, grocery shopping, and budgeting. If you want to cook more but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars or hours in the kitchen, Blue Apron can help you cut costs, meet your diet goals, and save time (without sacrificing nutrition). | | Blue Apron's Wellness meals include recipes under categories such as meals with 600 calories or less and those with 30 or 45 grams of protein, all delivered straight to your door. Some of these meals are pre-prepared or ready in 15 minutes or less too. You can even swap out ingredients on select recipes to suit your dietary preferences or just to try something new. Each serving can cost under $8 with weekly deliveries — you can also save $180 off your first 5 weeks of a new subscription, plus free shipping on the first delivery! | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🧑🦰 8 best vitamins for healthy hair, skin, and nails. We consulted our team of dietitians to select the most trustworthy and effective products. | | 🥛 How do I increase bone density after 60? It's unlikely that you can rebuild bone density, but you may be able to prevent further loss with some lifestyle adaptations. | | 🤸 A beginner's guide to getting comfortable in the gym. Let's walk through what to expect and how to feel confident. | | 🍍 Try this pineapple banana Greek frozen yogurt recipe. A nutritious snack that's naturally sweetened and garnished with toasted coconut. | | | | | How did you feel about this newsletter? | | | | | Email nutritionedition@healthline.com with comments related to this newsletter or topics you'd like to see in future editions. The newsletter editors read every message that lands in our inbox — yes, really! We look forward to hearing from you. | | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
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