Many different things can cause bloating, bellyaches, and abdominal discomfort, but diet is one of the most common culprits that you can easily beat. By reducing how much you consume items that upset your stomach, you can keep your gut happy without draining any time or money! To get you started, watch out for how your body responds to these five super common foods that can cause digestive problems:
1. Milk and Dairy Products
If a cold glass of milk leaves you feeling bloated or a bit sore in the belly, you might be one of the many people whose bodies cannot digest lactose (the sugar found in milk and dairy). If your symptoms are not severe and your doctor has found that you don’t have an intolerance, it can still be worth limiting your milk and dairy intake. For example, enjoy smaller quantities of high-quality dairy like a2 milk or specialty cheeses on special occasions. After all, it’s not really worth enduring a stomach ache for a subpar cheeseburger!
2. Deep-Fried Foods
They call them comfort foods, but when your stomach is turning and you have to run to the bathroom once you take that last bite – are they really? It may not come as a surprise, but as well as being generally unhealthy, deep-fried foods can be the reason behind your upset tummy and issues with digestion.
The problem is all that extra grease in your fried chicken, onion rings, and fries. These highly fatty foods with low fiber are hard to digest and can cause serious constipation. By limiting deep-fried foods in your diet and eating a lot of high fiber, healthy foods most of the time, tummy dramas may cease an issue for you.
3. Soda and Carbonated Drinks
Loud belching is commonly associated with drinking soda and carbonated beverages. They can also cause gas, heartburn, and even acid reflux. All the carbon dioxide that makes the drinks fun and bubbly travels through to your stomach where it can cause distress.
For some people, drinking too much soda can irritate their stomach lining and cause a lot of pain. If this is you, try switching from soda to non-carbonated alternatives like juice, tea, or the healthiest and most hydrating option – water.
4. Tomatoes
It’s not only rich and heavy foods that you should be monitoring. Fresh tomatoes are packed with health benefits. They are a great source of vitamins and enjoying them often can even reduce the risk of heart disease. However, tomatoes are double-edged when you consider their high levels of malic and citric acids. For some people, such a highly acidic food can trigger reflux, burning, and discomfort in the belly.
5. Chewing Gum
It may not be considered a food and is certainly not a beverage, but according to the findings from the 2020 U.S Census, over 160 million Americans chew gum. That’s almost half the entire population! Even schoolkids chew gum.
It seems harmless, but in reality, chewing regularly can cause stomach problems and trigger IBS symptoms. This is because enjoying a stick of gum involves chewing and swallowing air pockets which can lead to tummy swelling and pain.
If you notice abdominal discomfort after consuming any of the above foods, take a break from them to see if you feel a difference. If your symptoms are long-lasting, growing more severe, or you suspect you may have an allergy or intolerance, make sure to talk to your GP to get tested.
I had no idea that chewing gum could cause stomach problems. I have IBS and need to be careful of what I eat.
This was super informative to read and I am going to cut soda and fried foods. My stomach is super sensitive and I have to really watch what I eat.
My stomach is weird! I take pills ever day for my stomach and life goes on. BUT then something that I eat all the time with no problems makes me sicker then a dog. This is a good list of things to be aware of.