There are always going to be foods that will cause digestive problems. Whether it’s a bit too much hazelnut in your delicious nutella hot chocolate, a bit too much butter in your favorite Guinness chocolate cake, the acidity of a tasty plate of pasta, or too many tropical fruits in one smoothie, an upset stomach can be a part of life.
Source: webmd.com
Some foods, though, will wreak long-term havoc on your digestive system, so they’re foods best avoided:
- Chocolate — NOOOOOO! Unfortunately, eating chocolate does more than just pack on the extra weight, but it can trigger acid reflux, heartburn, and even IBS if you’ve got problems with your digestive system. It’s also a diuretic, which means it can cause diarrhea.
- Artificial Sweetners — It’s time to avoid the Sweet N’Low, no matter how guilt-free it is. Artificial sweeteners affect your gastrointestinal tract, as your body is unable to digest them completely. The undigested sweetener will often cause gas, bloating, and even diarrhea.
- Processed Food — We all love a bit of junk food now and again, but your GI may start complaining. Anything with white or refined carbs is digested very quickly – far more quickly than is good for your health. It can lead to serious digestive problems if you eat too much.
- Spicy Food — We all love something with a bit of kick, but these spicy foods can be a pain in your heart thanks to heartburn and acid reflux. Low-fat dairy can help to cool off, but you’ll feel the burn coming out as well as going in if you’re not careful.
- Greasy Food — Nothing says “day off” like a fried or greasy meal, and it’s a tasty treat indeed. However, foods that are greasy or fried are loaded with saturated fat, which can trigger heartburn or acid reflux problems.
- High-Fiber Foods — What? How can this be? Fruits and vegetables are supremely healthy, but people with sensitive GI tracts can have a hard time with them. Too much fiber can cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating, so make sure to eat the lower-fiber raw options when going for fruits and veggies!
- Coffee — Nothing gets you going in the morning better than a cup of coffee. Sadly, coffee can cause irritation in your stomach, as it stimulates the production of stomach acid. It can lead to ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn.
- Citrus Fruits — Of all of the raw fruits and veggies, citrus fruits are some of the best and worst for you. You get tons of vitamin C, but there’s also a lot of citric acid. If you’ve got a sensitive digestive system, the citric acid can spark a bout of acid reflux – even causing ulcers if too much acid is produced.
- Tomatoes — When it comes to acid reflux and heartburn, tomatoes are your worst enemy. You’ll find that these red globes are loaded with nutrients, but they’re also supremely acidic. If you have problems with your digestive system, the acidity of tomatoes will definitely not make things better.
- Peppermint — They say that peppermint is able to soothe your stomach, and it can do so if you’ve got digestive upset caused by anything other than acid reflux. If acid reflux is your problem, peppermint will irritate the walls of your stomach and cause more acid to be produced.
Source: webmd.com
If you’ve got problems with your digestive system, it’s time to look for foods that won’t trigger internal issues. These foods are now on your “no-eat” list until you get your digestive problems under control!
