Do you suffer with uncomfortable symptoms after eating a meal? This may be down to a food intolerance. In this modern society, we are constantly bombarded with images of ‘the perfect body’ and what we should or shouldn’t eat.
However, it is not just about eating a healthy diet, it is about eating a diet that is healthy for you. Many people ‘eat clean’ every day but still experience uncomfortable symptoms after eating certain foods, such as stomach cramps or worsened asthma – which doesn’t help when trying to focus on sports performance.
Read below to find out 5 surprising foods that may be holding you back.
Avocado intolerance
Now, if you read any tips on what to eat on a clean eating healthy diet, ‘Avocado’ will definitely be on the list. Most people recommend half of one a day as they are packed full of good fats and essential fibre. Avocados are a high polyol food which means the rate of digestion and risk of bloating and gas produced is a high risk.
Try to stick to the recommendation of ½ a day, but if you do experience uncomfortable symptoms up to 72 hours after eating them, you can confirm your worries with an intolerance test from Allergy Test. A great alternative to avocados is cottage cheese or nut butter.
Avocado intolerance symptoms
- Abdominal discomfort
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
Can avocados cause gas?
Yes! Avocados are rich in fibre, which promotes proper digestion and gas formation. For this reason, people that have a sensitivity or intolerance to avocados, or those that simply consume too much of it, can be at high risk of developing gastrointestinal distress.
Can avocados cause diarrhea?
Since avocados are high in fibre, it is expected that they could cause diarrhea if consumed in large quantities. However, people that have an intolerance to polyol can have loose tools even if consumed in a small quantity.
Avocado intolerance relief
The easiest and most effective way to gain permanent relief from symptoms caused by avocado intolerance is to either remove avocado from your diet completely, or only consumer very small quantities. You can also follow an elimination diet which would involve you removing them from your system completely, before slowly reintroduce them to find establish how much avocado you can consumer to reap the health benefits without the unfortunate side effects.
Sweet potato intolerance
Many nutritionists advise you to eat sweet potato instead of white potato if you are trying to lose weight or eat clean. However, sweet potato contains a type of sugar called mannitol that can cause stomach pain, trigger bloating, and diarrhoea. Frequent symptoms after eating sweet potato might suggest that you are intolerant to foods that contain mannitol.
A great alternative is white potato, even though sweet potato has given them a bad rep an equal size, white potato only has about 20 calories more than a sweet potato and is also free of fat and cholesterol. White potatoes are packed full of vitamin C, B6, niacin, folate, potassium, and magnesium.
Sweet potato intolerance symptoms
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Bloating
Can sweet potatoes cause diarrhea?
Sweet potatoes contain polyols (mannitol), a sugar alcohol known to have a laxative affect. For most people, consuming a significant amount of this substance can cause diarrhea. However, for those that have a sensitivity to it, even a small amount can cause digestive issues.
Do sweet potatoes give you gas?
Sweet potatoes contain a lot of fibre – so for those that have IBS problems or a sensitivity to fibre, are likely to experience gastrointestinal issues.
Blueberries intolerance
I am sure you have all heard about the health benefits of blueberries, but for some people they can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea after eating them. Your digestive system may find it hard to digest and break down the proteins of berries. A great alternative to blueberries is grapes as it is also part of the red-purple fruit family.
Do blueberries cause gas?
Blueberries can cause gas in people with IBS, fructose malabsorption or fructose intolerance. However, another reason people can be intolerant to blueberries could be due to the inability of the digestive system to break down the proteins.
Why do blueberries cause diarrhea?
Blueberries contain a natural sugar called fructose. Some people have an intolerance to this as their body can’t digest and break down the sugar correctly, resulting in gas, stomach-ache, and diarrhea.
Another season could be salicylate intolerance or sensitivity. This substance helps protect blueberries during their growth process. People who are intolerant to this are more likely to experience diarrhea and other intolerance related symptoms.
Greek yogurt lactose intolerance
Bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain from eating Greek yogurt may be a sign of a lactose intolerance. Most cultured dairy products such as Greek yogurt have significantly less lactose, a sugar found in milk, than other dairy products do. Some people diagnosed with lactose intolerance can tolerate more lactose than others can. If Greek yogurt affects you, maybe try a dairy-free yogurt instead.
Greek yogurt intolerance symptoms
Since Greek yogurt is a dairy product, your symptoms will be the same as those of lactose intolerance.
Remember, everyone is different, and your body may react differently to eating certain foods – so what is ‘healthy’ for an influencer on social media or even a close friend may not be healthy for you. Rather than guessing what foods present you with problems, get tested with Allergy Test and you will receive a list of potential food and non-food triggers that may be causing you discomfort. This way, you can design a diet and a lifestyle that works for you.