FitSugar

Make These Hard-to-Digest Foods Easy on the Tummy

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:30:57 PDT

It's not a stomach of steel you're after. You don't need to be able to devour a bowl of spicy chili without even a single burp. You'd be happy with a stomach that could handle a simple apple. Unfortunately every body is different, and some of us are born with sensitive stomachs, but you don't have to take it lying down (or in the bathroom). Some foods are harder to digest than others, but here are some ways to make those hard-to-digest foods easier on your belly.

Green peppers: These veggies are actually unripe, so eating them raw in a salad makes them tough to digest for many people. Instead, enjoy your green peppers grilled, roasted, or sauteed. if it's raw peppers you crave, choose red, orange, or yellow.

For ways to stomach other difficult-to-digest foods,

Top 4 Excuses For Avoiding Fiber

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:30:28 PDT

A little roughage in your diet is a necessity when it comes to keeping your digestive system happy, but that's not all it's good for. Getting your fill of fiber reduces your risk of breast cancer, treats belly bloat to help flatten your belly, and helps you feel full and satisfied longer than other foods.

All these health benefits of fiber are staring you in the face, but you still aren't consuming the 25 to 30 grams you're supposed to, and you think you have good reason. Here are the top four excuses women give for not eating enough fiber, and how you can overcome them.

Excuse	Solution
"High-fiber foods give me gas."	Apples, beans, broccoli, and oats are full of fiber, but they can definitely cause some digestive distress when you eat them. If this sounds familiar, you don't have to swear off these healthy foods forever. You just need to gradually introduce them into your diet. Instead of chowing down a whole pear for a snack, cut up pieces and eat it with yogurt. Or mix beans with rice instead of downing a huge bowl of black bean soup.
"I'm watching my carbs, so I avoid fruit and bread."	I definitely don't support a carb-free diet in order to lose weight. I believe healthy carbs like fruit, whole grains, and whole grain breads can fill you up and give you sustained energy so you eat less and have the strength to exercise regularly, which helps you lose weight. But I understand that many women go carb-free. In that case, there's still no reason you can't obtain enough fiber from other foods. Be sure to include tons of veggies, seeds, and nuts in your diet. They're low in carbs and high in fiber.

To see the rest,

Should Fruit Be Eaten Alone?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:15:49 PDT

I cannot get enough fruit. I eat it all day, on its own, in my cereal, on my salads, with cheese, baked and topped with yogurt, and I even make smoothies with it. Recently my mother-in-law forwarded me an article claiming that to fully reap the nutritional benefits of fruit, it should be eaten separately, on an empty stomach. I had heard this theory before so I decided to investigate.

A basic theory of trophology, a nutritional philosophy on food combining, is that fruits should be eaten as separate meals. This theory holds that fruit digests at a faster rate and requires different digestive enzymes than other foods such as proteins or carbs. When consumed with these foods the digestion of fruit is delayed, causing it to ferment in your gut. Strict supporters of the food combining theory attribute digestive issues like upset tummy, indigestion, gas, and constipation to mixing your fruit with other foods.

Don't give up your peanut butter and banana sandwiches just yet! You can feel good eating your fruit in whichever way you please since there's no scientific research to back up this fruit philosophy. If you're having issues with digesting fruit, you could try eating it separately to see if your body handles it better, but in my experiences, if I eat an apple on its own, my stomach wages a full-on rebellion.

Tell me, do you prefer eating fruit alone or with other foods?

Chew on This

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:30:29 PST

Recently I realized that for three consecutive days, I was chugging copious amounts of water to force bite-sized chunks of food down my throat and these episodes of near choking were followed by serious digestive distress. Perhaps it’s time, I thought, to focus on chewing. A simple, everyday action that I thought I mastered before the age of 2, but it seems I was taking chewing for granted. I reminded myself that the whole process of breaking down food and converting it into energy starts in the mouth. Chewing is important.

For the last seven days, I have taken my mastication seriously and have noticed a bunch of things worth sharing. One, it takes a long time to really chew your food. It took me just under 30 minutes to eat a dinner-size salad with roast chicken and beets. That's a lot of chewing, which is good since it slows down the eating process. Occasionally, I would become bored with chewing and stop eating as soon as I felt sated, a great way to not overindulge. This process helps with dieting. Secondly, my digestion really improved. Gone was the random cramping and bloated feeling.

I challenge you all to focus on your eating. Take a refresher course on chewing when you

Dealing With Digestion After the Feast

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:50:40 PST

Feeling a bit stuffed? It is a common problem on Thanksgiving and can lead to discomfort. Here are a few ways to aid your digestion and detox after your big meal.

After the meal:

Drink herbal tea: ginger tea, chamomile, and peppermint all improve digestion. Warm beverages promote digestion in general, so if you don't have these on hand, any kind of herbal tea will help.
Chewable papaya enzyme can help promote digestion as well.
Don't lie down for two to three hours after eating to avoid indigestion and acid reflux.

Learn how to help your digestive system tomorrow when you

Don't Take a Nap, Take a Walk Instead

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:30:55 PST

Some of you have families that get active before the big Thanksgiving meal, playing a game of touch football, going for a hike, or running a few miles before gorging on the turkey and all the trimmings. If this doesn't sound like you're family, that's OK. But after your feast, encourage the family to go for a walk, instead of slumping onto the couch after the big feast. Walking after a rich meal actually reverses the arterial damage caused by fat.

Walking also aids digestion and can prevent heartburn if you're prone to it. Going for a brisk stroll will also offer some much needed fresh air to prevent getting sick and can help burn some of those calories you consumed. Not only that, but you can get away from the annoying relatives who ask those oh-so-personal questions about your love life. When you get back, if your stomach is still feeling uneasy, give these relaxing stretches a try.

Food For Thought: T-Day Digestion

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:30:40 PST

Digesting your Thanksgiving meal is a feat unto itself. Take this quiz to see how eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and apple pie affects your tummy.

Take the Quiz

Soothing Stretches to Ease Digestion

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:00:58 PST

With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm sure many of you are looking forward to chowing down on some delicious foods. Most of us end up eating way more than usual, and since many of the dishes may be richer or sweeter than you're used to, it can cause some major discomfort in the tummy department. Here are some gentle stretches you can do to ease digestion.

Don't see your favorite yoga pose here? Then write about it in our Yoga Stretch and Tell group. I am sure all of our digestive systems could benefit from a wide variety of stretches.

What Kind of Stomach Do You Have?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:00 PDT

Some people can eat whatever they want - spicy dishes, fried foods, dairy products, and beans - and their stomachs are like rocks. They hardly ever get upset tummies. Then there are people with sensitive digestive systems, and anything they eat can cause tummy troubles. What about you?

Do You Avoid Foods That Give You Gas?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Eating spicy foods, green peppers, broccoli, beans, meat, dairy products, high fiber cereal, and apples are a few common foods that can result in gas for some people. I'm sure you know exactly what kinds of foods cause your tummy to gurgle and become bloated. So tell me . . .

Excuse	Solution
"I hate vegetables."	I too would much rather indulge in a bowl of ice cream than a bowl of salad, but veggies are essential if you want to eat a healthy, balanced diet. There must be some veggies you can tolerate, so be sure to eat those often. Also try mixing veggies in with foods you do like, such as adding peppers and tomatoes to your pizza or pasta, or mixing broccoli into your mac and cheese. Fruits, whole grains, and nuts are also excellent sources of fiber, so include those in your daily diet and you'll be on your way to eating enough fiber.
"I get enough in my morning bowl of cereal."	I hate to break it to you, but most types of cereal contain five grams or less of fiber. Even if you go for a high-fiber cereal such as Go Lean or Fiber One, a serving won't offer more than 15 grams. And adding half a cup of fruit will only add four extra grams. Don't rely on breakfast alone to help you reach your daily fiber quota. Make sure your lunch, snacks, and dinner include veggies, fruits, nuts, and whole grains.