Surprising Foods That Mess With Your Gut In A Not So Good Way - Page 15

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If you live with digestive issues, I feel your pain. You’ve probably been on a wild goose chase all of your life trying to find the cause of your issues. One doctor tells you to take this product, while another tells you that said product can make matters worse in some people. Well, which people?! “Only your body can tell you that,” says the doctor. That’s helpful…not! We know certain foods, in general, are good for one’s digestion, like whole grains, leafy greens, kombucha, lots of water and olive oil. But some “good gut” foods only really help when you have a good gut, to begin with. If you have a weak stomach and a poor digestive system, foods that help others may harm you. Here are surprising foods that mess with your gut.

We know certain foods, in general, are good for one’s digestion, like whole grains, leafy greens, kombucha, lots of water and olive oil. But some “good gut” foods only really help when you have a good gut to begin with. If you have a weak stomach and a poor digestive system, foods that help others may harm you. Here are surprising foods that mess with your gut.

Top view on homemade Kombucha with fruits

Kombucha

Kombucha’s entire marketing campaign is about the fact that it puts healthy bacteria into your gut, but that bacteria can cause too much activity in your tummy, which can lead to bloating.

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Mushrooms

Many people with digestive issues have a difficult time processing the cell walls of mushrooms. These can quickly lead to bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

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Garlic

Garlic has a lot of great properties; it can boost your immune system and help you fight off illness. However, it contains sulfur, which is hard to digest, even for individuals who don’t have stomach problems.

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Onions

Onions also contain sulfur. How’s a person supposed to flavor their foods without onions and garlic? Celery salt, parsley, vinegar and sesame oil are, fortunately, low in sulfur.

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Broccoli

While broccoli is very healthy for other reasons, it can irritate digestive issues. Only consume it in small amounts (less than half a cup a day), or you can face bloating, gas and constipation or diarrhea.

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Cabbage

This food pulls water into the intestinal tract, rather than pushing water into the colon where we want it. It’s also a cruciferous vegetable that can cause gas and bloat.

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Energy bars

Energy bars can make great, low-calorie meal replacements but they contain sugar alcohols, which are difficult to digest. Energy bars often cause constipation and stomach pain.

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Produce peel

The peel of vegetables can be difficult to digest, so make sure you peel things like bell peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and cucumbers before eating them.

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Nuts

Nuts move through you slowly—a reason dieters love them because they keep you full for a long time—but this sluggish process can cause gas in those with digestive issues. Nuts are also high in fats, which can be hard to digest.

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Artificial sweetener

Your body does not recognize artificial sweetener—not even the ones that claim to be healthy. And while it seems so innocent in its tiny packet, even a small amount can upset your stomach.

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Kimchi

Kimchi can help digestion in some, but hurt it in others. This fermented food contains histamine, something some people have too much of and that can cause bloating and diarrhea.

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Apples and pears

While these foods are high in fiber, they are also high in FODMAPs—something you should research immediately if you’ve struggled with chronic digestive issues. When you want a quick fruit snack, grab berries, mango or a banana.

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Any flour

Even whole grain flour has been stripped of fiber. Once a grain has been turned into flour, it’s been processed and isn’t nearly as nutritious as the original whole grain. So eat quinoa instead of quinoa flour, brown rice instead of brown rice flour—you get the picture.

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Beans

Beans are another food high in healthy fiber but also high in problematic FODMAPs, which is why many people need to make emergency trips to the bathroom after consuming them.