None of these foods will take years off your life if you eat them now and then, but there are certain foods GI docs rarely eat.
Protein bars Protein bars are healthy, right?
In particular, super-processed protein bars can lead to bloating and gas.
“I never eat ‘protein’ bars.
Deep-fried fish or chicken That Filet-O-Fish and carton of chicken nuggets are delicious and all, but they’re not doing your gut health any favors.
Everyone has their indulgences, such as a large bowl of chocolate ice cream following a demanding and stressful day. A Friday night, with a few slices of pizza and that Coke can. A burger and fries from that brand-new eatery that everyone is talking about.
There is a purpose behind the adage “everything in moderation.”. Most physicians and dietitians are aware that denying yourself certain foods you enjoy will lead to overindulgence. However, 99 percent of the time (and occasionally 100 percent) gastroenterologists, who are specialists in maintaining the health of your gut and digestive tract, steer clear of specific foods.
While eating these foods occasionally won’t shorten your life by years, there are some foods that GI doctors don’t often eat. These six are listed here.
1. Protein bars.
Indeed, protein bars are healthy. However, Dr. Harmony Allison, a gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center, claims she never consumes the highly processed varieties, even though some, such as those made with real fruit and nuts, are superior to others. Super-processed protein bars in particular may cause gas and bloating. “I never consume ‘protein’ bars…”. According to her, they are frequently heavily processed and include numerous additives with questionable uses. A serving of peanut butter, a cup of milk, nuts, or pumpkin seeds can all provide the same quantity of protein. “.”.
2. Steak. .
Few people can resist a hot dog or a few pieces of aromatic bacon, but Dr. Rabia De Latour, an assistant professor of medicine and gastroenterologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, avoids processed meats like these. Unfortunately, cold cuts also count. “There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer from red and processed meats,” she stated. Consuming red and processed meats four or more times a week has been associated with a 20 percent higher risk of colon cancer, according to data. “”.
4. . deep-fried chicken or fish.
Even though that carton of chicken nuggets and filet-o-fish are delicious, they’re not good for your gut.
Dr. Dot Mahmoud Ghannoum, a microbiome researcher and co-founder of BIOHM, stated, “Research has indicated that frying oil may negatively alter the gut microbiota, resulting in a worsening of atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fat and other materials on the arterial walls).”. Long-term effects like heart attacks and strokes may result from this accumulation.
5. . Drinking soda.
If you frequently consume soda or any other sugar-filled beverage, it might be time to break. “These beverages are associated with chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, even though they can be easy to consume,” Dr. Simon C. Matthews, a member of the Vivante Health advisory board and gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins. Furthermore, they are frequently linked to the gastrointestinal symptoms of reflux, burping, and bloating, especially when taken together in their caffeinated and carbonated forms. “.”.
6. White bread.
“Refined grains are bad for your gut,” says Dr. Shilpa Grover, director of the onco-gastroenterology program in the gastroenterology division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Research that has assessed dietary patterns has unequivocally demonstrated that a high consumption of red and processed meat and refined grains is linked to an elevated risk of [inflammatory pouches in the digestive tract] known as diverticulitis,” she said. Popcorn, corn, and nuts are not linked to an increased risk of diverticulosis or its complications, such as bleeding or diverticulitis, despite what was previously believed. “”.
When it comes to eating a diet heavy in red meat and refined grains, you need to be mindful of more than just your gut health. The same diets that are advised to lower the risk of diabetes, coronary artery disease, and cancer, including colorectal cancer, are also likely to lower the risk of diverticulitis, the expert predicted.
Don’t worry if you’re feeling like you’ve lost your identity and are thinking about going the entire summer without eating a single hot dog. A few hot dogs won’t ruin your digestive system. Just be gentle with them; for added gut-boosting benefits, you could even add sauerkraut.
HuffPost was the original home of this article.
