Various types of potatoes. A staple food, or simply a staple, is a food that is eaten routinely and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for a given people, supplying a large fraction of energy needs and generally forming a significant proportion of the intake of other nutrients as well.
Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon.
One of the most common causes is poor diet. A diet high in animal fat and low in vegetables and fruit can lead to constipation. Not drinking enough fluids may also cause the stool to become hard. Certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or hormone abnormalities, may lead to constipation.