Top 10 of the Worst Foods and Food Types For Digestion Health
ike to follow, and most of the things commonly avoided in a healthy diet are on this list. Some items however, might be a bit of a shock to find on a list of things to avoid. The factors for list are not just things to avoid to stay healthy, they are also things to avoid for better digestion health.
Obvious and Common Worst Foods and Food Types
Greasy Foods Loaded With Saturated Fats
Greasy, fatty foods are commonly at the top of most people’s list of foods to avoid when eating healthier. For people with digestive problems, or wanting to avoid them, these foods are at the top of the list as well. No matter what it is, if its been fried with unhealthy fats, or excessively drenched in good fats, you can count on it being bad for your health and your digestive tract.
Artificial Sweeteners
Refined sugar has been demonized to the point that even the word sugar can instil dread and panic in anyone looking for healthier alternatives. This aversion to cane and beet sugars lead to the creation of artificial sweeteners because lets face it, completely forgoing anything sweet could be called a form of torture for a lot of people. However, like the infamous margarine example, the alternative to using cane and beet sugar is far from healthier. Not only do many artificial sweeteners have hidden health consequences, they can be extremely harsh on your stomach and intestines.
Acidic Foods
Sodas, coffee, citrus fruits, and even tomatoes fall into the category of highly acidic foods that can be bad news for your digestion. While there is no room for soda and coffee in a healthy diet, many fruits and vegetables can still be enjoyed that are not high in acid, such as bananas.
Spicy Foods
There have been a lot of recent diet fads that hype up the powers of adding spicy peppers to help boost your metabolism and burn calories. When all is said and done, the most beneficial pepper for dieting is also the mildest; the humble peppercorn and its low calorie but flavorful taste. Spicy foods that are loaded with peppers can be extremely troubling to the entire length of your digestive system. Frequent consumption of spicy foods can also contribute to developing leaky gut, or reducing your ability to absorb nutrients from foods.
Alcohol
It should go without saying that alcohol can be highly agitating to your digestive system, as well as many other systems in your body. The only potential exception to this category is certain red wines, that have been studied in moderation. For the most part though, any potential benefits found can easily be gained through a healthy and nutrient rich diet.
Milk Chocolate
A lot of lists for foods bad for the digestion list chocolate as a major no-no, but not all of them make the distinction that milk chocolate, and other candies that label themselves as chocolate, are the real culprits. Dark chocolate made with high percentages of cocoa has a lot of health benefits and does not contain the agitating components of dairy, high fructose corn syrup, or high amounts of sugar.
Processed Foods
Processed foods, in particular quick snacks and meals from the frozen section, contain a large number of preservatives and additives that can cause serious issues with digestion. Preservatives in particular can impact your intestines ability to absorb nutrients from other foods. The main reason for additives and preservatives is simply to extend the shelf life of a product, not to enhance its nutritional value.
Often Surprising Foods That Are Bad For Digestion
Corn
For many people, the idea of a common vegetable being bad for digestion may be a bit surprising. Corn, while bright in color and a common staple in some diets, it is not as healthy as it may seem. The amount and type of fiber in corn makes it hard for the human body to digest, often partially negating the benefits of other food its eaten with.
Raw Vegetables
Similar to why corn is not a good choice for ease of digestion, raw vegetables are harder for your body digest than vegetables that have been partially broken down. The issue comes inside the intestines, where the abundance of insoluble plant fiber can make it near impossible to digest, causing gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. Some methods of cooking are less detrimental to the nutrient density of vegetables, and each plant is different, but even boiled vegetables with the broth produced can be easier to handle, and have a healthier impact, than raw ones.
Most Dairy products
For anyone who is lactose intolerant, dairy products are naturally on the list of things to avoid. However, even if you tolerate lactose just fine, you should limit or avoid most dairy products. The only exception being yogurt, and even that should be eaten in strict moderation. Far too many people ingest dairy products on a regular, or even daily, basis with the belief it is good for you. The truth of the matter is that there are many other choices in healthy foods that provide more nutrition than milk does, and often without nearly as much negative elements, such as fat and lactose. In terms of nutrient density, milk is not all that it has been made out to be.
