Gastroenterologist reveals hidden causes of bloating and how to avoid them
Photo: Vegetables and fruits for easy digestion in summer - doctor's advice (photo: Freepik)
With the arrival of summer and autumn, our diets become richer in fresh vegetables, greens, and legumes. Salads and stews appear more frequently on the table, but they are often followed by uncomfortable bloating, pain, or digestive discomfort.
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, gastroenterologist and dietitian, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor Halyna Anokhina explained why this happens and how to properly consume these foods to avoid digestive issues.
Legumes: hidden enemies of digestion
According to the expert, while most vegetables contain relatively few antinutrients (substances that interfere with nutrient absorption), legumes, such as peas, beans, and soy, contain a significant amount.
"Even someone with a healthy digestive system who eats pea porridge three or four times will feel bloated," the doctor explained.
This is because legumes contain protease inhibitors - compounds that suppress the body’s digestive enzymes, particularly pancreatic enzymes, making food harder to digest.
To avoid discomfort, legumes should always be soaked before cooking and consumed in moderation. The exceptions are young asparagus and green peas, though they should also be eaten in reasonable amounts.
When it’s time to reduce your portion sizes
The key principle of healthy eating is to listen to your digestive system.
"Food should not cause bloating, pain, or diarrhea," the expert emphasized.
Sometimes, improving how you feel can be as simple as reducing the amount of certain foods that your body doesn’t digest well. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your favorite meals completely.
Seedless fruits and vegetables are best for digestion
The gastroenterologist also pointed out that the body generally tolerates seedless fruits and vegetables well. These include, for example, carrots and pumpkin flesh.
It’s best to remove seeds from zucchini before cooking. Tomatoes and cucumbers are also better consumed without seeds.
These simple tips can help you enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables without unpleasant digestive side effects.
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.
