Most people think you need to poo every day to be healthy. You don’t. In this episode, we explain how to tell if your poo is normal, the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, and the gut mistake you may be making on the toilet every day. Dr Trisha Pasricha, a leading Harvard gastroenterologist, a columnist for the Washington Post and author of the book You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong, explains how your poo, gut health, and disease risk are linked, and when you should see a doctor.Dr Pasricha guides us through why frequency, colour, and consistency all matter, and why there is no single “normal.” You’ll learn how to spot changes that could signal disease, including early warning signs linked to cancer and long-term brain health.You’ll hear simple advice you can use straight away. This includes how to recognise your normal pattern, what changes to look out for, and how to avoid the common toilet habit that may affect your gut.Are you looking at your poo every day? And, if not, what might you notice if you did?🌱 Try our science-backed and tasty wholefood supplement Daily 30Get our brand-new app and Gut Health Test designed by world-leading gut health and nutrition scientists to build healthy eating habits 👉 Join ZOEFollow ZOE on Instagram.Timecodes📚Books by our ZOE ScientistsThe Food For Life CookbookEvery Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim SpectorFerment by Prof. Tim SpectorGood Mood Food (preorder) by Prof. Tim SpectorFree resources from ZOEEating for Better Brain Health: Your brain-gut blueprintGut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks Better Breakfast GuideMentioned in today's episodeYou’ve Been Pooping All Wrong by Dr Trisha PasrichaGastrointestinal Symptoms in the United States, The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2018)Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids, PLOS One (2025)Impacts of Gut Bacteria on Human Health and Diseases, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2015)Association between Early Adverse Life Events and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, CGH (2011)Management of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive, National Library of Medicine (2024)Constipation and risk of dementia in adults, Frontiers (2025)Gastrointestinal issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America (2020)Stanford fermented foods studyUltra-Processed Food Consumption and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Nutrients (2025)Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.Episode transcripts are available here.