Eating Healthy for Digestive Problems

What we eat can contribute to digestive problems. Many people eat too much processed food and sugar, and not enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Poor eating habits, such as eating too quickly or skipping meals, can also be part of the problem. Many digestive problems can be prevented by eating a healthy diet. Be sure to get adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

The following are lists of healthy foods that may be incorporated into your diet. Some people with digestive system difficulties may find that they have problems after eating certain foods. Through a process of trial-and-error, you can find a variety of healthy foods to add to your diet.

FRUIT

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Berries
• Canned fruits (canned in fruit juice or water)
• Cantaloupe
• Grapes
• Honeydew
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Nectarines
• Papaya
• Peaches
• Pears
• Prunes
• Watermelon

VEGETABLES

• Asparagus
• Beans (green, kidney, lima, navy, soybeans, yellow)
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Peas
• Peppers (green, red, or yellow)
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Rutabagas
• Sauerkraut
• Scallions
• Spinach
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Turnips
• Vegetable juices
• Zucchini

MEAT/PROTEIN

• Eggs
• Dried peas, beans, and lentils
• Fish
• Lean meats
• Nuts
• Peanut butter
• Poultry
• Seeds
• Tofu

GRAIN PRODUCTS

• Multigrain breads, cereals and crackers
• Rice (brown or wild)
• Whole wheat pasta

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.