Foods that are difficult to digest

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Some foods may be good for you, but there are foods your body can't digest. Many indigestible foods contain carbohydrates that are not broken down properly during digestion, often due to a general deficiency of an enzyme. High-fiber foods can also be difficult to digest. Read more to better understand foods that are difficult to digest.

1. What is indigestible food?

Our body is a system that requires a healthy diet to function. If you don't eat foods that are good for your digestive system, it will be difficult for your body to digest those foods.
Some people think that whatever they consume has a good effect on their body or that their body can digest all kinds of food without any problems. However this is completely incorrect. Our body is a system that requires a healthy diet to function properly. So, if you follow a healthy diet, it has a good effect on your body because your digestive system easily digests that food. Similarly, if you eat unhealthy and indigestible food, your digestive system cannot digest the food easily and it also appears to have bad effects on our body. There are certain foods that our digestive system needs to work a lot to digest.

2. Foods that are difficult to digest

Foods rich in fiber can bring many benefits to the body in losing weight, but foods with too much fiber make our digestive system feel uncomfortable. In addition to fiber, certain cooking methods, like frying, can also make it harder for our stomachs to digest food. Carbonate and caffeine can also cause similar problems. Here are some foods that should be avoided as they may not be easy to digest.
2.1. Fruit Most fresh fruits contain large amounts of fiber, especially if they have skin or seeds. Examples of easily digestible fruits include bananas and avocados. Fruits to avoid include:
Dried fruit Cocktails Canned fruit Pineapple Coconuts Frozen or defrosted berries Stay away from any fruit or vegetable juices that are high in fiber. Tomatoes and citrus fruits can cause stomach problems especially for people with GERD.
2.2. Vegetables Raw vegetables should be avoided because they contain more fiber than cooked or canned. In addition, for the digestive system to work effectively, we should also avoid:
Corn Mushrooms Sauteed vegetables Tomato stew Potato peels Dried beans Peas Legumes

2.3. Fermented foods Some people may want to skip fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles. This is because canned fermented foods sold in stores or supermarkets not only don't contain the same beneficial bacteria as homemade fermented foods, on the contrary, they can also cause problems. digestive system, causing people to eat easily gassy, ​​indigestion.
Check labels very carefully on commercial products to make sure the food actually contains probiotics and other beneficial bacteria and doesn't contain too much salt or added sugar.
2.4. Meat products and proteins Any tough or fibrous meat can be difficult to digest. These foods may include:
Processed meats, such as sausages, salami and kielbasa Fried and seasoned meats Shellfish Beans, peanut butter and other foods Whole grains are other good sources of protein that can cause some difficulty in digestion.
2.5. Grains Most refined grains are easy to digest. That means wholegrain breads, rolls, and bagels are not good choices. Look out for grain products that contain raisins, nuts, and seeds, such as multigrain crackers. Cereals containing nuts, dried fruit and bran should be avoided. Granola, brown or wild rice, and whole-grain pasta are also foods that are not easily digested.
2.6. Dairy products Although people who are lactose intolerant may want to avoid most dairy products, they may have to switch to yogurt or kefir. The healthy bacteria in these foods help break down the lactose, making them easier to digest.
You can make your own yogurt or find special probiotics. Also, avoid any dairy products that are mixed with fresh fruit, seeds, nuts, or artificial sweeteners.
2.7. Other hard-to-digest foods Other hard-to-digest foods we may want to avoid include:
Jams and jellies containing seeds, popcorn and other condiments Carbonated drinks (like soda) Drinks containing caffeine (like coffee) Alcohol Spicy or fried foods (can cause heartburn or indigestion)

3. What foods are easy to digest?

Easily digestible foods can help relieve some symptoms and serious medical conditions. This may include:
Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Inflammation of the stomach and intestines Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Appendicitis Inflammatory bowel disease Whatever it is, making the right food choices may be the key to avoiding potential triggers and feeling better.
Foods that are easy to digest tend to be low in fiber. This is because fiber – often considered a healthy part of the diet – is often found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains that your body cannot digest. As a result, fiber passes through our large intestine and can cause a number of problems, from gas and bloating to difficult-to-pass stools.

Eating foods low in fiber reduces the amount of undigested matter and can ease your digestive symptoms.
3.1. Canned or cooked fruit Whole fruits are high in fiber, but cooking them reduces the amount of fiber significantly. For example, a 148-gram serving of raw pears with their skins on contains 4.6 grams of fiber, equivalent to 18% of the body's recommended daily fiber intake. Meanwhile, a 148-gram serving of canned pears contains about half the fiber of 2.4 grams. Good choices in this category include:
Ripe bananas Melons Sweet melons Watermelons Avocados Apple sauces Canned or cooked fruit without skins or seeds 3.2. Canned or cooked vegetables Just like fruits, raw vegetables have a lot of fiber. After cooking, the fiber content of vegetables can be reduced. For example, a 128-gram serving of raw carrots contains 4 grams of fiber, or 14% of the body's recommended daily fiber intake. However, a 128-gram serving of canned carrots contains less than 2 grams of fiber.
Potatoes without skins and ketchup are also other options for low-fiber vegetables. Both pulp-free fruit and vegetable juices are also low in fiber.
Good choices of canned or cooked vegetables include:
Seedless zucchini Spinach Pumpkin Radish Green beans Carrots 3.3. Meat and protein products Main courses like chicken, turkey and fish tend to digest well. Beef, pork, or ground meat are other good options. You may also find that skinless sausages or skinless sausage patties (without whole spices) are easy to digest. Vegetarians can try incorporating eggs, nut butters, or tofu for an extra protein boost.
How you prepare meat can also affect how easily it is digested. Instead of frying, try baking, broiling, grilling, or boiling.
3.4. Seeds Many of us may have heard that whole grains are the best to include in our diet. If you are looking for easily digestible grains, you need to look out for the following:
White or refined breads or rolls Plain bagels Toast Crackers You can also use Low-fiber cooked or dry cereal at the grocery store. Look for varieties that contain less than 2 grams of fiber per serving.
Refined flours (grains) have been processed to remove the bran and germ, making them easier to digest. This is in contrast to unrefined flours that undergo less processing and contain more fiber. Generally, refined flours are not recommended for use in large amounts as part of a healthy diet.
3.5. Dairy products For patients with lactose intolerance, milk can upset digestion or cause diarrhea. Look for lactose-free or low-lactose products. Milk, on the other hand, is low in fiber and can be easily digested for many people. Try drinking raw milk or snacking on cheese, yogurt, and cheese. Easy-to-digest dairy-based desserts include:

Sherbets Cream Pudding Milkshakes 3.6. Other foods Use caution when cooking with herbs and spices. Many spices can be bad for the digestive system. Ground spices may be better. The following foods are also safe on a low-fiber or soft-food diet:
Sugarcane, honey, mayonnaise Mustard Soy sauce, butter, margarine Marshmallows In addition to the foods listed above, Cutting food into small pieces and chewing it thoroughly before swallowing can also help with digestion. Avoiding rush and distraction while eating is also a way to help the digestive system work better
When eating a low fiber diet, you may notice smaller stools and less urination. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids — such as water and herbal teas — throughout the day to avoid constipation.
Any change in diet should be carefully considered and is best discussed with a nutritionist. Before cutting out all potentially hard-to-digest foods, you may find it helpful to keep a food diary. Record what you ate, the time of day you ate, and how the food felt. That way, you can identify and avoid foods that lead to gas, bloating, stomach pain or other discomfort. You can also give this information to your doctor to help diagnose and treat any medical problems you may have.

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References: lifealth.com, pharmeasy.in, healthline.com, webmd.com