Introduction: Poor digestion is a common ailment in the summer. So, what should you do if you have a sensitive stomach in the summer? What dietary considerations should people with a sensitive stomach keep in mind? Which foods should be avoided?
Poor digestion is a common manifestation of suboptimal gastrointestinal function. If it becomes a chronic issue, it not only affects overall health but can also lead to the development of various stomach conditions. The causes of poor digestion are often related to an individual's dietary structure and the overuse of antibiotics. Traditional medications can have significant side effects, causing considerable irritation to the stomach. While they eliminate harmful bacteria, they can also disrupt the gut flora, reduce stomach immunity, and lead to recurring stomach problems.
Hawthorn stimulates the appetite but can easily lead to stones
Many people find hawthorn a great appetite stimulant due to its sweet and sour taste, leading them to overindulge. People with sensitive stomachs should eat hawthorn in moderation, as excessive consumption can lead to stomach stones. This is because hawthorn is high in pectin and tannic acid, which, upon contact with stomach acid, can easily form insoluble precipitates. These combine with food residue to create stomach stones, which can cause gastric ulcers, bleeding, and in severe cases, necrosis and perforation of the stomach wall. However, cooking hawthorn can reduce the effects of tannic acid.
Kiwis promote bowel movements but can cause heartburn
Kiwis are considered cooling in nature, and overconsumption can damage the spleen and stomach's yang energy, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Furthermore, the large amount of vitamin C and pectin in kiwis can increase stomach acid,加重 the burden on the stomach, and cause symptoms like abdominal pain, acid reflux, and heartburn. These symptoms can worsen in cold weather. During the current cold season, patients with stomach ailments (spleen and stomach yang deficiency) should avoid or strictly limit their intake of kiwis.
So, what should you eat if you have a sensitive stomach?
1. To strengthen nutrition, choose foods that are easy to digest, contain sufficient calories, protein, and vitamins. Examples include congee, various bean products, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
2. Limit high-fiber foods and avoid fried foods, as well as coarse grains with high crude fiber content like celery and chives.
3. Avoid overly stimulating foods and prohibit those that stimulate gastric acid secretion, such as meat broth and raw scallions.
4. Pay attention to establishing a reasonable diet plan: eat at regular intervals and in fixed amounts, chew slowly, and swallow thoroughly to reduce the digestive burden on the stomach.
Usually, eat more fruits rich in vitamins, such as red dates and hawthorn; grapes and strawberries are rich in anthocyanins; and citrus fruits and mangoes are high in carotene. These fruits are all very effective in protecting the gastric mucosa and repairing stomach wall cells.