The Complete Guide To Fixing Your Stomach Problems Once and For All

I have had stomach problems ever since I can remember- gastric ulcers to be more precise. It gets worse when you can’t eat certain foods just because they will irritate your stomach.

Having been on a diet almost all my life, I can say that a stomach problem is among the worst problems we have out there.

Not because the pain is that bad, nor is the condition life-threatening. It’s the constant discomfort that gets to you; when you are bloated or in pain just after having any meal.

If you are in public and your stomach starts acting up, well, you know it doesn’t go down well.

You can’t keep excusing yourself to use the washroom every ten minutes, and yet you can’t help it. No one likes talking about stomach conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome seems embarrassing.

The thing is, we have to talk about it if we need to find a cure. Sharing about your struggles also makes it easier for you now that you know you are not alone.

I once read somewhere that you should treat your body like it’s a Ferrari. In a nutshell, this just means that you should treat your body well. Always eat the right and healthy foods that won’t cause you any problems.

For those of us suffering from digestive problems, all we can do is try to manage our diet to avoid incurring further problems.

5 foods to avoid for stomach problems

There are certain foods you know are bad for you and yet, you still incorporate them into your diet on a daily basis. The very first step you should take is knowing your body well and listening to any signs it might be giving you.

One very clear sign is having a stomach ache after consuming a particular food.

This only goes to show that your body seems to be rejecting the food for some reason and you need to either reduce your intake or eliminate the food from your diet.

You should keep in mind that despite how careful you are in eating the right foods, not drinking enough water will do you harm. Always stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water daily.

1. Fatty or fried foods

The reason why this is at the top of my list is that most of us eat fatty foods on a regular basis. What you may not be aware of, however, is that these foods contain chemical receptors that slow down the process of emptying the stomach.

The result? You feel bloated. And that’s not all, most fatty foods cause heart burns and acid refluxes in the body, which is an uncomfortable idea to go through.

You need to stay away from either fried or fatty food especially if you suffer from IBS. You cannot avoid eating fatty foods altogether; just ensure that you eat them once in a while, and in very small portions.

2. Spicy foods

Due to my gastric condition, doctors advise me against eating overly spicy foods. You may be used to such foods, which is no problem at all.

However, you should avoid these foods if you have a sensitive stomach or have stomach-related problems. They also cause acid reflux and severe heartburns.

3. Dairy products

Foods like cheese and milk have a very high content of fat that disrupts digestion in the stomach. If you are lactose intolerant, you should cut off dairy completely from your diet.

Your stomach cannot digest enzymes found in milk products if you find yourself bloated or in pain every time you consume them. The bacteria found in these products also cause infections in the stomach which create more problems.

4. Processed foods

Every health blog there is today advocates against consuming processed foods, and yet this doesn’t stop you from stocking up when you visit the store.

Processed foods not only contain a lot of refined sugar, but they also have citric acid and artificial preservatives such as sodium benzoate which is not kind to your stomach.

5. Acidic foods

If you have hyperacidity or any acid-related condition you know how much uncomfortable it gets. On one occasion, acid literally came up to my mouth. It felt like I was burning up from my stomach all the way up. This is not something you want to go through ever.

Acidic foods will definitely cause acid reflux in your body as well as heart burns. They may irritate your stomach and cause further problems such as gastritis or worse, ulcers. You are better off without these foods.

Why don’t you focus instead on eating organic foods that have nutrients your body needs? At the end of the day, you would rather prevent stomach problems from occurring rather than try to cure the condition much later.

Best foods to relieve an upset stomach

We have all been victims of this, in one way or another. You eat something, and next thing you know, your stomach feels like it’s getting tied up in knots. The best thing you could do for your body at this point is to stay hydrated. Start taking water in small amounts so that it can start clearing up the stomach. It works like a charm.

Try not to eat anything for the first 12 hours so that your body can first get rid of the unwanted substances which could be causing the upset. Ever heard of the BRAT diet? This should ultimately be your next step. The diet includes foods that are bland and won’t cause you any more harm.

This should ultimately be your next step. The diet includes foods that are bland and won’t cause you any more harm.

Bananas

Fruits should be your best friend at this point. Keep in mind that not all fruits will help out with the situation, but bananas will do. If you do not feel like eating at all, just start off with half a banana. It’s better than nothing.

Bananas have high levels of potassium which will help relieve any dehydration you might have. They are also high in sugar which replenishes the calories you so much need in your body for energy.

And that’s not all. Not only are they easily digested in the body, but they also have roughage that will ensure your bowel movements are not watery, therefore, easing any diarrhea you might have.

Rice

If you are like me, you definitely avoid taking white rice and would go for brown any day. This is not one of those days. White rice is bland and has less fiber than brown rice, and it will coat your stomach lining to prevent any further damage.

To top it off, it will absorb any excess fluids in your system, which makes your stool bulky and stops diarrhea.

Applesauce

I love apples. They are among the super fruits that can be turned into just about anything- juice, smoothies and can be eaten whole.

Apples are sweet, and the sauce tastes even better. You will love it. The sugars found in apples will add calories to your body, and your digestion problems will be cleared up almost instantly.

Toast

Try out some toast but do not add any butter or jam to it. It’s easy to digest, and it will ease any acid reflux you might be experiencing.

Yogurt

Not all bacteria are harmful to the body. Probiotics found in yogurt will go a long way in stopping any bloating you might have, and also aid in digestion.

Opt for plain yogurt instead of other options laden with sugars and artificial sweeteners. I would suggest you go with Greek yogurt.

What causes digestive problems?

People are different. What may cause stomach problems for you might not even do me any harm. However, there are some common reasons why you might be experiencing digestive problems.

You will know you have such problems when you feel bloated all the time or when you have constant heart burns.

Foods with little or no fiber content

Fiber, which is contained in fruits, vegetables, and some grains, has a million benefits that you cannot afford to lose out on. When it comes to digestion, it helps retain more water in the stool making bowel movements much easier.

Eating foods that have no roughage will only make digestion a hard task for your body which will ultimately cause digestive problems.

Not chewing food properly

You have probably heard that we should chew food slowly when we eat. You must also know that digestion starts in the mouth and not in the stomach as many of us think.

Have you ever wondered why this is the case? Chewing slowly enables food to mix with saliva which contains digestive enzymes. These enzymes aid in digestion right from the start.

Consuming excessive sugar

Eating a lot of processed foods will have you consuming a lot of refined sugar in one sitting which is entirely harmful to your body. These foods also have preservatives that are harsh on the stomach, and that’s why you may start bloating or cramping right after consumption.

Excessive alcohol

There is a reason why we are asked to consume everything in moderation. Alcohol contains chemicals that are generally hard to digest. Drinking too much of it will irritate your stomach lining and keep causing you additional digestive problems.

Large dairy quantities

Most dairy products like cream and cheese have a high-fat content which makes it hard for your system to carry out digestion effectively. Even if your body digests lactose well, you ought to avoid taking large amounts of dairy quantities to keep digestion problems at bay.

Fatty foods

Given a bucket of wings and steamed vegetables, I can almost bet which one you would go for. Indulging in fried foods every once in a while is not harmful. But making it a habit will cause too many digestive problems that you would have avoided in the first place. Why? Fatty foods contain certain chemical receptors that slow down bowel movements in your body causing constipation.

How to fix your digestive problems quickly

The worst thing about having digestive problems such as IBS is that you may not even know what exactly to do to ease the condition. There is no formula or a proven way to fix your digestive problems. It’s all trial and error until you discover what works for you. Here are some techniques you can try.

Opt for natural remedies

When you have a stomach upset, I know the first thing that comes to mind is getting some drugs from the store. Here is the deal. You already have one problem probably caused by consumption of unhealthy foods. Is pumping your system with additional chemicals not worsening the situation?

Settle for natural fixes like warm water with lemon, licorice, peppermint or chamomile tea or ginger. There are many other natural ways out there. Just ensure you try them out before you use other drugs. I mostly use lemon or ginger, and it settles my stomach quite nicely.

Eat bland foods

Consuming foods high in refined sugar, spices or fat will only escalate the problem. Go for bland foods like white rice, toast, bananas, and applesauce. Make sure to drink plenty of water while you are at it.

Do stomach problems get worse as you get older?

Getting older has its perks and its disadvantages as well. You now have all the time to relax and do those things you have always wanted to do before but didn’t have the time. One of the downsides to aging is that most functions in your body started slowing down, digestion is one of them.

I wouldn’t say that stomach problems definitely get worse the older you get, but the fact that your metabolism is not what it used to be is a major contributor to many stomach problems. You will begin experiencing more heartburn, acid reflux as well as constipation as you get older.

Why? You may be taking a lot of medication for your various conditions. Also, you don’t walk as much or hydrate as you used to.

Aging brings with it some conditions such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases which do not do your digestive system any favors. With time, this takes a toll on your digestive system, and when food is digested at a much slower rate, stomach problems are a must.

Do not let getting old be the reason why you get digestive problems. Stay on top of it by drinking plenty of water and staying away from fatty and processed foods.

How to get enough fiber to reduce stomach problems

Fiber is one of those nutrients that should always be present in your food. The roughage found in fiber aids in digestion by retaining more water in stool which eases your bowel movements. It also goes a long way in maintaining a balance between the colon and intestinal bacteria thereby creating a conducive environment for digestion.

There are various ways in how you can increase your fiber intake. You don’t even need a lot of money to obtain most of the foods that are sources of fiber. Chances are, you already have most of these fruits, grains, and vegetables in your pantry. To begin with, when baking, opt for whole meal flour instead of the refined white flour you usually use.

When it comes to juicing, you can get fiber by adding flax seeds and chia seeds to your smoothies or even to your yogurts. Ensure that your salads have extra nuts, dried fruit, and vegetables. And that’s not all; opt for bean or lentil stews when possible. These have higher fiber content as opposed to other grains.

As you can see, you can add fiber to just about any meal you plan on having. The best part, snacking on nuts and baby carrots instead of processed foods also goes a long way in increasing the fiber content in your system. Your body will be sure to thank you for it. Stomach problems such as constipation and heart burns will be a thing of the past.

The best supplements you should take for stomach problems

You have tried staying away from the wrong foods, increased your fiber intake, are always hydrated, but you always seem to feel bloated. It’s time to start taking supplements to ensure that your digestive system gets the help it needs to perform its duties.

Probiotics

These are good bacteria that will limit the growth of harmful bacteria in your system. They also strengthen your immune system which will help fight off stomach problems from occurring. To top it off, probiotics like Lactobacillus will help you deal with conditions such as IBS and diarrhea.

Lactase

If you are lactose intolerance, you need to be taking lactase supplements because you lack this enzyme in your body. It’s essential because it will help your body break down lactose when you consume them.

Fiber

Sometimes just adding fiber to your diet is not enough. By taking fiber supplements, you ensure that your bowel movements are eased up which eliminates cases of constipation.