Many common foods in your kitchen could be negatively affecting your gut health.
As gut health becomes a key topic in wellness discussions, experts emphasize that what you eat greatly influences your microbiome.
An imbalance in gut bacteria might lead to gastrointestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, according to Robin DeCicco, a holistic nutritionist based in New York City.
Here are four foods that experts warn might be doing more harm than good for your gut.
Supermarket Bread
Packaged bread found in many grocery stores could be worse for gut health than most people think.
DeCicco notes that a lot of these breads are highly processed and have ingredients that can disturb the gut’s bacterial balance.
She points out that many commercial breads are made with refined flour and additives meant to increase shelf life, yet these often compromise fiber content.
Fried Food
Fried foods or those cooked in large amounts of oil can be particularly tough on the intestines.
“High-fat meals are harder for the body to digest,” DeCicco explains.
She adds that many fried items are cooked in refined vegetable oils, which can contribute to intestinal issues if consumed regularly.
Sugar
Foods and drinks rich in sugar are significant contributors to poor gut health.
Ice cream, for example, combines hard-to-digest ingredients with a lot of sugar.
“High-sugar foods are never good and lead to inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease,” DeCicco warns.
Frequent spikes in blood sugar can directly disrupt the gut microbiome.
“The more we consume foods that elevate blood sugar and cause insulin spikes, the more detrimental it is for our guts, since sugar essentially promotes the overgrowth of harmful bacteria,” she explains.
Vegan Cheese
While plant-based cheese alternatives are trendy, some highly processed options might harm gut health.
DeCicco mentions that certain processed vegan cheeses can lead to enteritis because of the additives and fillers used in their production.
She advises opting for whole, real foods whenever possible.
“If you need an alternative, ensure it’s made with genuine ingredients,” DeCicco recommends.
