Some foods are notorious for causing diarrhea, cramps, bloating, or heartburn. Do you know which trigger foods to avoid?
Fried Foods: Diarrhea Trigger
Eating fried foods, which are high in fat, can result in diarrhea. Rich
sauces, fatty cuts of meat, and buttery or creamy desserts can cause
distress, too. Choose roasted, grilled or baked foods and light sauces that
feature vegetables instead of butter or cream.
Citrus Fruit: Intestinal Distress
Because citrus fruit is high in fiber, it can cause intestinal distress
for some people. Go easy on oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits
if your digestion is feeling queasy.
Artificial Sugar: Diarrhea, Cramping
Chewing too much sugar-free gum made with sorbitol has been found to
cause diarrhea and cramping. Eating more than 50 grams of sorbitol a day
may give you intestinal trouble. It's not just gum, though -- excessive
amounts of any food made with this artificial sweetener might give you
diarrhea. The reason: Our bodies can't digest sorbitol.
Too Much Fiber: Gas and Bloating
Foods high in fiber like whole grains and vegetables are good
for digestion. But if you start eating lots of them, your digestive
system may have trouble adjusting, resulting in gas and bloating.
Increase the amount of high-fiber foods gradually. But, don't forget to increase the amount of water intake.
Beans: Gas and Cramping
A common source of trouble, beans contain indigestible sugars
that can cause gas and cramping. The human body lacks enzymes to break
down these sugars. Bacteria in our guts do the work, giving off gas in
the process. Soak dried beans for at least four hours and pour off the
water to eliminate some of the indigestible sugars.
Cabbage and Its Cousins: Gas and Digestive Distress
Cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables contain the
same indigestible sugars that make beans gassy. Their high fiber
content can also make them hard to digest if eaten in excess. Cooking
can help reduce the problem.
Fructose: Diarrhea, Bloating, Cramping
Foods sweetened with fructose -- including sodas, candy, fruit
juice, and pastries -- are difficult for some people to digest, leading
to diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and other distress.
Spicy Foods: Heartburn and Indigestion
Some people experience indigestion or heartburn after eating
spicy foods, especially after a large meal. Some research suggests that
the hot ingredient in chili peppers, called capsaicin, may trigger
heartburn.
Dairy Products: Digestive Trouble for the Lactose Intolerant
If you're lactose intolerant, dairy products can trigger
diarrhea, bloating, gas, and other intestinal distress. The condition
stems from the lack of an enzyme required to digest lactose, a sugar
found in milk and dairy products. Avoid or limit dairy products.
Peppermint: Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Peppermint may sound cooling. Yet it can relax the muscle at
the top of the stomach, allowing food to reflux up into the esophagus
and cause heartburn. Other culprits may include chocolate or coffee.
Experts recommend being alert to problem foods and avoiding them.
Dealing With Diarrhea
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of
fluids. To settle digestion, eat bland -- not high fat or spicy -- foods
at first. However, return to a normal diet as soon as symptoms ease --
within 24 to 48 hours -- to make sure you are getting all the nutrients
you need to recover.
Oats: A Grain to Prevent Diarrhea and Stay Regular
Although all high-fiber foods are helpful in keeping digestion
regular, cereal fibers from oats, wheat, and other grains appear to be
especially effective at preventing diarrhea.
Choose your foodstuffs smartly and stay away from diarrhea and digestive distress!
