What Your Poop Says About Your Health: The Bristol Stool Chart Breakdown
Let’s talk about poop. Yep, I said it. The stuff nobody wants to talk about but everyone does—every single day (hopefully!).
Here at His Healing House, we believe in root cause healing, and one of the most overlooked but powerful indicators of your health is what’s happening in the bathroom. That’s where the Bristol Stool Chart comes in!
This handy little guide was developed by scientists to help us understand gut health just by looking at the shape and consistency of our stool. It categorizes poop into seven types, ranging from constipation to diarrhea, and can give us insight into digestion, hydration, and even nutrient absorption.
So, let’s dive in—without the need for gloves, I promise!
The 7 Types of Stool (And What They Mean)
🔎 Type 1: Hard, Separate Lumps (Like Nuts)
💡 What it means: Severe constipation. This happens when stool sits too long in the colon, getting dry and hard.
💡 Possible causes: Dehydration, lack of fiber, stress, or slow gut motility.
💡 Fix it with: More water, fiber-rich foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains), and movement.
🔎 Type 2: Sausage-Shaped, Lumpy
💡 What it means: Mild constipation. Things are moving, but not smoothly.
💡 Possible causes: Inadequate fiber intake, stress, or too much processed food.
💡 Fix it with: Adding healthy fats, magnesium-rich foods, and probiotics to keep things soft and regular.
🔎 Type 3: Sausage-Shaped with Cracks on the Surface
💡 What it means: Pretty normal, but could use a little more hydration or fiber.
💡 Fix it with: Keeping up with whole foods, fluids, and regular exercise.
🔎 Type 4: Smooth, Soft, and Snake-Like (Gold Standard 💩)
✅ What it means: Congratulations! This is the ideal poop—healthy, well-formed, and easy to pass.
💡 How to keep it this way: Stay consistent with hydration, fiber, and stress management. Your gut loves routine!
🔎 Type 5: Soft Blobs with Clear-Cut Edges
💡 What it means: This leans toward mild diarrhea, possibly due to food sensitivities or a fast-moving gut.
💡 Possible causes: Stress, mild gut imbalances, or not enough fiber.
💡 Fix it with: Adding more fiber (chia seeds, flaxseeds, cooked veggies) and probiotic-rich foods to balance the gut.
🔎 Type 6: Mushy with Ragged Edges
💡 What it means: You’re heading into diarrhea territory, meaning your gut is moving too fast to absorb nutrients.
💡 Possible causes: Food intolerances, an infection, excessive caffeine, or stress.
💡 Fix it with: Bone broth, electrolytes, gut-healing foods (like aloe vera and L-glutamine), and a look at potential triggers.
🔎 Type 7: Liquid, No Solid Pieces
💡 What it means: Full-blown diarrhea—the gut is inflamed and not absorbing properly.
💡 Possible causes: A reaction to food, food poisoning, gut infection, or chronic gut issues.
💡 Fix it with: Rehydration, gut-healing foods, removing irritants, and addressing stress. If persistent, get tested for underlying infections or imbalances.
What Your Poop is Telling You About Your Health
Your stool is a mirror of your gut health. If you’re consistently on either end of the spectrum (too hard or too loose), your body is waving a big, brown flag saying, “Hey! I need some attention!”
📌 Tips for Healthy Poops Every Day:
✅ Hydration – Drink enough water to keep things flowing.
✅ Fiber – Load up on whole foods like fruits, veggies, and seeds.
✅ Healthy Fats – Avocados, olive oil, and nuts help with smooth movement.
✅ Probiotics – Support a balanced gut microbiome with fermented foods.
✅ Stress Management – Your gut and brain are connected! Breathe, move, and unwind.
Need Help Getting to a "Type 4" Lifestyle?
If your bathroom habits aren’t where you want them to be, let’s fix it at the root. At His Healing House, we offer Nutrition Response Testing and holistic support to help you uncover the real reason behind digestive struggles.
💬 Curious where to start? Send me a message, and let’s get your gut (and your life) moving in the right direction!
