Do you have an upset stomach? Conditions like bloating, constipation, vomiting, etc., can be painful and make you feel restless all day. When these symptoms occur regularly, it means that there is something wrong with your digestive system. Often, the underlying cause is a lack of fiber or essential nutrient intake in your diet or excessive junk food.
To take care of your digestive health, you must regularly consume foods that are easy on your gut and contain nutrients that promote digestion. Soon, you will see positive results and overcome gas, bloating, heartburn and nausea. Here are the 15 best foods that help digestion.
- Yogurt
- Whole Grains
- Banana
- Apples
- Papaya
- Avocado
- Beetroot
- Sweet Potato
- Green vegetables
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Tomato
- Oatmeal
- Toast
- Miso
Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which help deal with digestive problems like bloating, constipation, etc. Probiotics are vital in maintaining the balance of good bacteria in the intestine. Your gut already houses good bacteria, and increasing their intake through yogurt eases the digestion process.
Whole grains offer nutrients that include vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, etc. The fiber in whole grain helps with your digestion in two ways:
It eases your bowel movement and improves constipation.
Some fibers act as probiotics that help good bacteria growth in your gut.
Craving something sweet? Reach for a banana! Bananas are one of the best foods that help with digestion. Bananas are a good source of electrolytes like potassium, which help restore your bowel movements, thus improving your digestive health. They also aid in weight loss and boost your energy.
Apples are rich sources of vitamin A and C, potassium, phosphorous and the soluble fiber, pectin. Pectin helps promote the growth of good bacteria, thus ensuring the proper functioning of the digestive system especially intestines. It also increases stool volume, reducing issues like constipation, diarrhea, etc.
Papaya contains digestive enzymes called papain and chymopapain. They facilitate protein breakdown in your stomach, which leads to better absorption of nutrients, proper functioning of bowels and easing out of digestion.
Avocado, a fruit , is super-rich in fiber among other fruits and low in fructose, thus less likely to cause gas. Furthermore, essential nutrients like potassium in it promote a sound digestive system.
Beetroot, also known as the table beet, is rich in fiber, folate, potassium, iron, vitamin C, etc. Fiber present in beetroot feeds friendly gut bacteria and smoothens bowel movement, improving digestion. You can eat beet roasted or consume it in a salad for good digestion.
The soluble fiber in sweet potatoes makes them the best food for digestion. Soluble fiber multiplies the good bacteria in your intestine, improving constipation and promoting better digestion.
Green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, etc., are a super-easy way to increase fiber and magnesium intake in your diet and can prove to be the ultimate foods for digestion. Fiber adds bulk to your stool and improves digestion, while magnesium helps reduce constipation by improving muscle contractions.
Cucumber is a combo-pack of multiple nutrients, minerals and fibers that improve stomach issues such as acidity, gas, peptic ulcers, etc., and also ensures effective digestion. In addition, it is on-the-go food for digestion as you can have it as salad, between office meetings, etc.
Carrots contain antioxidants and fibers that help maintain your bowel movements, thus reducing constipation and improving digestion.
The magical nutrient lycopene in tomatoes helps maintain a sound digestive system, making them one of the best foods that help digestion.
Oatmeal contains beta-gluten fiber, which promotes healthy bacterial growth and helps with digestion. To reduce fat content, you can cook it with water with a blend of some spices and honey to add flavor.
If you have poor digestion, toasting bread is a smart, healthy option. Don’t be concerned about its calorie content because, as per a clinical dietician, toasting retains its calorie value and breaks down the complex carbohydrate starch in it , making toasted bread easy to digest.
Miso is composed of fermented soybeans, a type of fungus named koji and salt. It contains probiotics, which reduce digestive problems by improving good bacterial growth in your gut.
Final thoughts
Make sure you include some of these foods that help digestion in your next meal. You can find them in a store nearby, and they don’t require much preparation time.
As you adopt a healthier diet, you must also try to eat mindfully. Chew your food, eat slowly and have several small meals a day. If cravings and emotional eating are weighing you down, you can try all-natural appetite suppressants like Calocurb.
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