If you suffer from frequent digestive problems such as pain or nausea, you might want to start investigating what’s causing those stomach aches. A logical place to begin would be examining the food you eat. But short of an actual allergy, what sorts of foods can cause stomach aches? While it will obviously depend on the individual, there are some common food groups to look at.
Fried Foods
Fried foods can cause a problem mainly because they’re high in fat. Fatty foods are harder to digest and can leave you feeling sluggish, nauseous, or over-full. It’s also a bit of a problem because fatty foods and meals take longer to digest, so you’re more likely to overeat because it will take you longer to start feeling full. The best way to handle this one is just to slow down. It can be tempting to go ahead and polish off the French fries, but taking your time while eating will pay off in the long run.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are a common cause of stomach agitation because many people are lactose intolerant at some level. In fact, stomach pain after eating dairy products is one of the top indicators of lactose intolerance. Many people have lots of trouble giving up or cutting back on dairy products (who doesn’t love ice cream?). Dairy products are also a good source of calcium, added Vitamin D, and protein. Fortunately, there are a lot of dairy alternatives out there on the market. An added benefit of faux-dairy products is that they are often fortified with the same nutrients found in regular dairy products. Milk alternatives like soy or almond milk also contain calcium.
Sweets
And yes, it’s sad but true: sugar can give you a stomach ache. There’s actually several reasons for this. Similar to the problem with fried foods, sugar can give you a stomach ache simply because it’s very easy to eat too much of it. Many times sugary foods are also fatty foods, and these can slow down your digestion. Sugar can also break down in your digestive tract and cause gas and bloating, giving you some temporary pain until it pases. So similar to fried foods, if you notice an ache afterwards, try slowing down and eating less of a tasty thing.
There are many different foods out there that can give you a stomach ache, but some of the usual suspects are dairy products, high-fat, high-sugar foods. The best advice for it all? Everything in moderation!
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