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Gastroenterologists Say This Bathroom Upgrade Is the #1 Thing To Help You Poop Easier

Samira Vishwas | May 31, 2026 5:24 PM CST

It is super simple and just $25.

Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design.

A couple of weeks ago, I listened to a fascinating episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast called Reset Your Gut. In it, Robbins sat down with Harvard physician-scientist and board-certified gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha, M.D., to break down a “step-by-step protocol” for improving gut health. But of all the wellness advice Pasricha shared, one tip immediately caught my attention because it was so simple: Put a small stool—like the Squatty Potty—next to your toilet.

Squatty Potty The Original Bathroom Toilet Stool

~~$27~~ $25 at Amazon

According to Pasricha, that tiny bathroom upgrade can make a surprisingly big difference when it comes to pooping better. Naturally, I needed to know whether other gastroenterologists agreed, so I did what I always do: I asked around.

Three gastroenterologists got back to me, and every single one said the same thing: If you want to make going #2 easier, use a footstool when you sit on the toilet. Treta Purohit, MDmedical director and gastroenterologist at Oshi Health, explained that propping your feet on a small stool shifts you into a more natural squatting position, making the whole process physically easier.

David Kahana, MDboard-certified gastroenterologist and 1MD Nutrition Scientific Medical Advisory Board Member, shared another interesting point: “Modern toilets create an anatomical kink in the rectum; raising your feet straightens that angle and makes elimination easier and more complete.” And Sabine Hazan, M.D.gastroenterologist, CEO of Ventura Clinical Trials and founder of ProgenaBiome, added that “this relaxes the puborectalis muscle, straightens the colon, and reduces straining.”

With more than 50,000 five-star ratings, clearly it’s not just gastroenterologists who are fans of the Squatty Potty. Dubbed “the bathroom game-changer” by one shopper and “the missing link to true bathroom enlightenment” by anotherthe stool fits neatly around your toilet. It comes in two different heights—7 inches and 9 inches—and some shoppers say that, despite your height, the 9-inch stool is ideal because it “lifts [your] knees higher and is key to a better flow,” while others say the shorter stool is the one to purchase. Regardless of the size you choose, shoppers say you’ll experience “pure, unadulterated relief” thanks to the Squatty Potty.

But the bathroom stool tip wasn’t the only hack Purohit, Kahana, and Hazan shared. They also had several other surprisingly simple ways to make pooping easier and more regular—and full disclosure, they were too good not to pass along.

Focus on Fiber and Hydration. “Aim for 25 to 38 grams of fiber daily. Psyllium, a soluble fiber found in supplements like Metamucil, has been shown across multiple clinical trials to meaningfully improve both stool frequency and consistency,” said Purohit. “Pair it with plenty of water, and you’ve covered the two most evidence-backed steps you can take.”

Don’t Hold It In. Another trick is to not hold a bowel movement and go when you need to go. “Respect your body’s natural clock,” says Kahana. “Your colon is most active in the morning. It produces what we call high-amplitude contractions right after waking, so the best thing you can do is work with that biology, not against it.”

Be Active. “Staying active helps too because regular movement is linked to faster gut transit times, even if exercise alone won’t cure constipation outright,” said Purohit. This can also help reduce stress and, according to Hazan, decreasing stress is key to a balanced microbiome.