Best and Worst Foods for your Digestion!

In theory our bodies should be able to digest any kind of food that we put in our mouths, but changes in food processing and preparation not to mention lifestyle changes means our stomach doesn't always react well to everything we eat.

It is best to avoid some foods like fatty meats to escape upset tummies. Fortunately nature provides foods that can actually ease our digestion. Here is a guide to what's good and what's bad when it comes to keeping your system running smoothly.

Fried Food

Worst

Fried food can overwhelm the stomach, resulting in acid reflex and heartburn. The body can only handle so much at one time. Fried foods are high in fat, calories, and often salt. A few studies have linked fried foods to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Fried foods served at fast food restaurants are often cooked in hydrogenated oils, which are high in trans fats. Trans fats raise bad (LDL) Cholesterol levels, lower good (HDL) Cholesterol levels, and raise your chance of having many heart risks.

Chili Peppers

Worst

This staple of spicy cuisine can irritate the esophagus and lead to heartburn pain.

This can be a particular problem for people with irritable bowel syndrome or those who already suffer from chronic heartburn. Spicy foods do not cause heartburn or stomach ulcers but can worsen both conditions. As Chili Peppers pass through and out of your system, it can prompt painful, burning diarrhea. The more you eat, the more likely this is to occur.

Dairy

Worst

You need calcium in your diet, and an easy way to get it is from dairy products such as milk and cheese. But, for the lactose intolerant, these can cause diarrhea, gas, and abdominal bloating and cramps. Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and chemotherapy can damage the intestines, which also can lead to lactose intolerance. A healthier option for getting your calcium in is drinking milk from nuts such as Almond Milk and Cashew Milk. Research has shown that milk from nuts actually contain more calcium then dairy products.

Lean Meats

Best

If you're going to eat go for chicken, fish, or other lean meats. Red meats tend to be fattier, your body can handle lean meats and fish and chicken a whole lot better than prime rib.

When shopping at the grocery store I tend to reach for the organic chicken and grass fed beef all the time. I know that some people can not afford an "organic" lifestyle so I would recommend getting meats that are antibiotic free and are all natural. Buying food that is beneficial for you should be a priority in your life, so if you can layoff spending money on those new pair of jeans you were looking at and use it towards your health you will feel so much better about yourself.

Bananas

Best

Bananas help restore normal bowel function. They also help restore electrolytes especially the lack of potassium from having runny stool. This fruit is loaded with fiber which is perfect for aiding digestion. I love banana's so much so I believe a Banana a day will keep the diarrhea away!

Ginger

Best

This spice has been used for thousands of years as a safe way to relieve nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness, gas, loss of appetite, and colic. It's best to consume it in moderation. High doses of ginger can backfire; more than 2 to 4 grams per day can cause heartburn. I love to drink a delicious ginger tea every day or even just added the natural spice to some of my savory recipes. If you don't like implementing the spice too much you should check out some of my favorite ginger candies to snack on and my favorite ginger tea

Ginger Candies : http://amzn.to/2CwTdFt

Ginger Tea: http://amzn.to/2EDDdHj

There are so many more foods that can contribute to a healthy digestion but these are just a few. I encourage you to do your research on other items of food that can be hindering the health of your stomach. Just by adding some of these foods to your diet your tummy will be happy and at a lower risk of developing diseases like IBS, Crohn's Disease, or even ulcers.