Nutritionists have compiled a list of foods that are extremely difficult to digest, causing bloating, diarrhea and other nasty and sometimes painful side effects. This list includes not only well-known bowel abusers, but also some seemingly beneficial vegetables.
So, what is the most difficult food for our stomach to digest?
1. Chocolate and ice cream
Chocolate contains lots of caffeine and oils, while ice cream contains milk and animal fats. When these two substances combine, it becomes very difficult for the body to digest. The caffeine problem also applies to coffee, tea, and energy drinks, so be careful what you consume.
2. Onions and garlic
While both onions and garlic are good for the immune system and have antiviral and antibacterial properties, this amazing duo is a real pain to digest. They irritate the mucous membrane layer of the stomach and lead to thunderous flatulence.
3. Fried food
Fried foods take more time and resources for the body to fully process. For example, grilled pieces of meat, like the classic kebab, are fully digested after about three days. But the most taxing thing for the body to process is fatty foods fried in vegetable oil. It is a double noise to your soul.
4. Fruits
The citric acid in almost all juices and fruits irritates the stomach and increases the body’s overall acidity, causing acid reflux and heartburn. Say less, Internet!
5. Beans and pulses
Beans are a natural source of vegetable protein and are very good for your health. But there is another side to this coin. They are rich in oligosaccharides that take hours to be fully absorbed, causing gas.
6. Vegetables
Green vegetables are universally known to be healthy, but if you snack on raw carrots and tomatoes, be prepared to pay the price. Vegetables are rich in fiber, which, as you know, cannot be fully digested by humans. That’s why after eating a healthy salad, you may feel bloated and gassy. But, to be fair, the positives offered by vegetables outweigh the negatives, so keep it raw.
7. Spicy food
Spicy foods are dangerous because they irritate the lining of your stomach, and the body goes to extra lengths to neutralize this effect. Doctors generally recommend avoiding spicy foods such as hot peppers, garlic and onions for people with gastrointestinal problems.
8. Processed meat
This category includes all industrial meat products prepared without your participation: canned foods, sausages, frozen chicken nuggets, etc. They contain dangerous fats, which cause stomach problems and lead to obesity and heart problems. Not that homemade meat is healthy, but at least you know it’s not loaded with nitrates.
9. Chewing gum and sugar-free products
Sugar-free products remove natural sugar and replace it with xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol – “healthier” sugar substitutes. Maybe they are a bit better, I don’t know, but they are only partially digested in the body and cause increased gas. Sugar-free chewing gum has another great bonus: Chewing gets the sweet saliva and air in the stomach, which makes your stomach bloat even more.
