Most kids don’t get enough fiber. Here’s a handy shopping list to help stock up on foods that will help prevent constipation.

Published: February 14, 2018 | Updated: June 30, 2023

Nearly 10 children a day come to a Norton Children’s emergency department for constipation. It’s also the No. 1 reason for stomachaches. Yes, you read that right. Several things can cause constipation, but one of the easiest to fix is diet.

“Not eating enough fiber can definitely have an effect on children,” said John T. Stutts, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist at Norton Children’s Gastroenterology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine “If your child is having a lot of stomachaches, a good place to start is increasing fiber.”

Don’t know where to start? Print out our handy grocery list to help you.

While no vegetables in the following chart fall into the high-fiber category due to serving size (Do you know a child who will eat a cup of peas?), they are still important to feed your child because they have nutrients that growing bodies need. The chart is meant to be a comparison for making healthy choices.

Click the chart to get a downloadable PDF.