Gut Health and Common Foods
Some of the most common foods in your kitchen could be quietly damaging your gut health.
As gut health continues to dominate wellness conversations, experts say diet plays a central role in shaping the microbiome.
When the balance of gut bacteria is disrupted, it can contribute to gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation and diarrhea, Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
Here are four foods experts say may do more harm than good for the gut.
Supermarket Bread
Packaged bread sold in many grocery stores may be harder on gut health than people realize.
DeCicco said many supermarket breads are heavily processed and contain ingredients that can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut.
Certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco warns common kitchen foods quietly damage gut health. Heorshe – stock.adobe.com
She added that many commercial breads are made with refined flours and additives designed to extend shelf life, but those ingredients often come at the expense of fiber.
Fried Foods
Foods that are fried or cooked in large amounts of oil can be especially tough on the gut.
“The body has a harder time digesting such high-fat meals,” DeCicco said.
She added that many fried foods are cooked in refined vegetable oils, which can further contribute to gut imbalance when consumed regularly.
Sugar
Foods and drinks high in added sugar are among the biggest contributors to poor gut health.
Processed ingredients, refined flours, and sugar spikes contribute to gut imbalance and inflammation. _vsevolod – stock.adobe.com
Ice cream, in particular, combines large amounts of sugar with ingredients that can be difficult for some people to digest.
“Foods high in sugar are not beneficial in any way — they contribute to overall inflammation, obesity, diabetes and heart disease,” DeCicco noted.
She said frequent blood sugar spikes can directly disrupt the gut microbiome.
“The more foods we eat that impact blood sugar and cause a spike in insulin, the worse for our gut, because sugar is essentially fuel for an overgrowth of harmful bacteria,” DeCicco said.
Vegan Cheese
While plant-based cheese alternatives are popular, some highly processed versions may be tough on gut health.
DeCicco says supermarket bread, fried foods, sugar, and some vegan cheeses disrupt gut bacteria. dmitriisimakov – stock.adobe.com
Some highly processed vegan cheeses may trigger gut inflammation due to the additives and fillers used to bind the products together, DeCicco said.
She recommends sticking with real, whole foods.
“When you do have to choose a replacement, make sure the replacement is made of ingredients that are actually real,” DeCicco noted.
Conclusion
In conclusion, certain common foods in your kitchen may be damaging your gut health without you realizing it. These foods include supermarket bread, fried foods, sugar, and some vegan cheeses. To maintain a healthy gut, it’s essential to be mindful of the ingredients and processing that goes into the foods you eat. By choosing whole, real foods and being aware of the potential harm caused by these common foods, you can take the first step towards a healthier gut and overall well-being.
FAQs
Q: What are some common foods that can damage gut health?
A: Supermarket bread, fried foods, sugar, and some vegan cheeses are common foods that can damage gut health.
Q: Why is supermarket bread bad for gut health?
A: Supermarket bread is often heavily processed and contains ingredients that can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut.
Q: How can I maintain a healthy gut?
A: To maintain a healthy gut, choose whole, real foods and be mindful of the ingredients and processing that goes into the foods you eat.
Q: Are all vegan cheeses bad for gut health?
A: Not all vegan cheeses are bad for gut health, but some highly processed versions may trigger gut inflammation due to additives and fillers.
Q: What are the consequences of disrupting the balance of gut bacteria?
A: Disrupting the balance of gut bacteria can contribute to gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
