5 groups of foods to eat with stomach problems

Easily digestible food gives your digestive system a bit of rest. Digestion requires energy, including mechanical energy, like chewing that happens in the mouth, as well as chemical energy, like the action of acids in the stomach and digestive enzymes in the small intestine.

Choosing easily digestible food when you have digestive issues or diarrhea can help your gastrointestinal tract recover.

Dietitian Anthea Levy shared five groups of easily digestible foods to pay attention to.

Products made from white flour

Most people could benefit from increasing their fiber intake, but if you're dealing with a gastrointestinal upset, it's recommended to temporarily choose foods with lower fiber content.

Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that moves through your digestive tract without being broken down.

High-fiber foods, like whole grains, can increase the amount of undigested food passing through the gastrointestinal system, which may lead to bloating.

Choosing these low-fiber foods can give your intestines a break when you're experiencing digestive discomfort.

Peeled or canned fruits

Some fresh fruits contain a lot of fiber, making them harder to digest. The majority of the dietary fiber in fruits is found in their skins and seeds. For example, raspberries are one of the fruits with high fiber content due to their large seeds.

Therefore, when dealing with stomach issues, it's helpful to choose fruits with lower fiber content, such as ripe bananas or melon, if you're struggling with symptoms like nausea or diarrhea. It's also recommended to peel fruits like apples and pears when you're actively dealing with digestive problems.

Soft fruits, like stewed plums or canned peaches, are also good options. If you're buying canned fruits, look for those packed in water rather than syrup to reduce added sugar content.

Cooked vegetables

Raw vegetables are harder to digest than cooked ones. During cooking, the cell walls of vegetables become softer, and their components (like starch) become more accessible to digestive enzymes in the body.

As a result, cooked vegetables have a gentler impact on the digestive system.

Easily digestible vegetables include well-cooked:

• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Potatoes
• Green beans
• Beets
• Carrots

Proteins

Choose tender proteins that are easy to chew and contain low or moderate amounts of dietary fat, such as an omelet.

Plant-based proteins, like soft nut butter and soft scrambled eggs, are also easy to digest.

Soups, smoothies, and purees

The way food is prepared can affect its digestibility. Blending the seeds of berries in a blender won't reduce their fiber content but can help kickstart the mechanical digestion process, which typically begins in your mouth.

Which foods are the hardest to digest

Foods that are generally difficult to digest may include:

• Whole nuts and seeds
• Popcorn
• Acidic foods, such as citrus and tomato-based products
• Spicy food
• Alcohol
• Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and black tea
• Fatty and fried foods
• Processed meats, such as sausages and hot dogs
• Dried meats
• Dried fruits
• Artificial sweeteners

Earlier, we reported on 5 foods that are beneficial for the brain.

Also, read about healthy foods that can lead to rapid weight gain.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.