Top 8 worst food & drink to avoid for digestive problems


Unhealthy diets can often lead to a number of problems including digestive issues. Indigestion, feeling bloated & gassy, heartburn, acid reflux and other symptoms are often a sign that you need to alter your eating habits. In the long run, eating foods that aggravate digestive issues, could lead to serious complications.

Here is a list of the top 8 food and drink you should avoid if you suffer from indigestion or any other digestive issues.

Fried Foods

Fried foods already have a bad reputation, and another reason to stay away from these unhealthy foods is indigestion. These foods make it difficult for your stomach to digest, since they are very high in fats. It can also cause heartburn and acid reflux since it affects movement in the digestive tract.

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Dairy

One of the most difficult foods to digest is dairy, mainly because of lactose. This form of sugar is found in milk and other dairy products. People who are lactose intolerant do not produce enough of the enzyme to break down lactose and this leads to bloating, aches, nausea, gas and diarrhoea.

Spices

Stay away from spicy foods and chilli peppers if you are a victim of digestive problems. These hot foods can irritate and burn your oesophagus, resulting in heartburn pain. Although some people do not experience any digestive discomfort from spicy food, its best to stay clear if you have an upset tummy.

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Processed Foods

These foods are not only high in preservatives and chemicals, but are low in fibre. This means that it passes through the tract quickly and causes bloating, cramping and gas. Their high fat levels and calories are also another reason to cut down.

Acidic Fruits

Though your intentions may be good when grabbing a fruit, you should avoid acidic fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tomatoes. These fruits can irritate your stomach lining and increase the chances of acid reflux and GERD. You can eat these fruits once in a while but never on an empty stomach.

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Caffeine

If you are susceptible to heartburn, it’s better to stay away from coffee, as it stimulates acid production in your stomach. Caffeine also increases inflammation and acts as diuretic, which means it dehydrates you quicker, along with diarrhoea and cramping, if drank excessively.

Alcohol

If you suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, even alcohol in moderation can irritate your digestive tract. Alcohol is toxic for the stomach and relaxes the oesophageal sphincter. This leads to inflammation of the stomach lining and induces cramping as well as heartburn.

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Artificial sugars and sweeteners

Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener often associated with digestive problems. It is a difficult sugar for the stomach to digest and can be found commonly in diet foods and chewing gum. If you have more than 50g of sorbitol a day then you could experience some discomfort, including loose bowels.

There are plenty of other foods that may trigger a digestive issue, so it’s important that you pay attention to what you are eating. If symptoms of a digestive issue persist, it is best to book an appointment with your doctor.


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