We're all familiar with that rhyme about how beans are good for our hearts but not-so good for *ahem* certain other things, but in actual fact there's all sorts of food that can mess with our tummies and cause indigestion.
"Our digestive system is home to trillions of microbes that help break down our food and keep our intestines healthy," explains Layne Lieberman, M.S., R.D., nutritionist and author of Beyond the Mediterranean Diet: European Secrets Of the Super-Healthy. But we can easily screw it up by eating foods that mess with the good bacteria, she explains. And some of the culprits may surprise you. Here are 11 foods to skip (or at least limit) to keep your belly — and your day — running as smoothly as possible.More
Consider this yet another reason to ditch diet soda for good. One study found that when people consumed artificial sweeteners—aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin (a.k.a. Equal, Splenda, and Sweet'N Low)— they altered the gut bacteria that controls metabolism. That can lead to all sorts of gastrointestinal (GI) problems, only one of which includes an increased conversion of food into fat, says Lieberman. Meaning not only does it become more difficult to lose weight, but it's actually easier to gain.
Your daily pick-me-up could do more than just wake you up. "Not only is coffee acidic, but it also contains caffeine, which speeds up the digestive tract and may cause diarrhea," explains Katie Cavuto, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist and chef in Philadelphia. That caffeine is also a diuretic, she explains, meaning it can lead to dehydration and even nausea. What's more: Coffee causes the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid (HCL), which can cause heartburn and indigestion. So if you find yourself regularly experiencing GI issues after your cup of joe, limit it to one cup a day and don't drink it on an empty stomach, as that can help ease those unpleasant symptoms.