When meals are broken down into small enough pieces, your body is able to absorb and transport nutrients to where they are required. Your large intestine absorbs water and digested waste materials create feces. Feces are solid material that has passed through your body as waste. Eating foods that are high in fiber will help prevent constipation because the fibers take time to pass through your system and provide more activity for your digestive system. Fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain products are all good choices for those looking to maintain healthy bowels. Avoid drinking too much water after a meal or you might be asked to go to the bathroom right away! Your body converts some of the carbohydrates you eat into glucose (sugar). Glucose is used by cells to produce energy. The rest is discarded as carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, eating foods with lots of sugar in them will cause you to have to go to the bathroom more often. As we get older, our bodies become less efficient at removing toxins, so it's important to take care of any chronic health issues before they become problems. Constipation can lead to straining during a bowel movement which can increase your risk of developing kidney stones, diabetes, or heart disease. Foods that are high in protein require more energy to digest than those containing only carbs or fats.