The truth about ‘hot dog’ poos and how it’s a sign of ‘optimum’ health

YOU probably don't make a habit of examining your poo.

But now might be a good time to start - as it can actually tell a thing or two about your health and diet.

The shape of your poops is especially worth paying attention to.

Though everyone's number twos will vary, they'll often fall under one of the seven categories outlined by the Bristol stool chart.

It likens stools to various objects - from marbles, to caterpillars and amoebas.

But did you know that one shape - the hot dog shape - is considered by doctors to be the 'perfect poo'?

Sausage-like poos that are soft and easy to pass are what calls 'the gold standard of poop' because it indicates that all is going smoothly with your digestion and that you're eating the right amount of fibre.

As GP Dr Sarah Jarvis put it: "Eating enough fibre, getting regular exercise and keeping your fluid intake up all contribute to this sort of poo.

"You’re likely to be going regularly and not needing to strain."

This is type three on the Bristol Stool Chart.

Snake-shaped poops that are softer than sausage-shaped ones and easier to pass are also considered normal.

According to , you should ideally get number twos like these every one to three days.

But anything on the other ends of the spectrum might mean you need to implement some changes to your diet or see a doctor.

Number one of the chart - marble-like pellets that look like nuts and are hard to pass - indicate you're constipated, as does number two.