When combined with the right ingredients, smoothies can be an easy and convenient way to enjoy a variety of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients thatyou don't always get in your regular meals. However, sometimes these concentrated sources of nutrition can cause digestive upset for those with sensitives tummies.
If you've ever found that you feel bloated after you drinka smoothie, these could be some reasons for you to consider:
1. Hard To Digest Ingredients
Some fruits and vegetables are harder to digest than others and cause more gas and bloating. Common culprits include baby spinach, mango, peaches, pears and night shade vegetables.
If you struggle to digest fruits and vegetables in general then using a freeze-dried superfood powder, such as my Organic Superfood or Everyday Greens, is a great way to get all the nutrients you need in an easy-to-digest form.
If you're adding nuts or cashews to your smoothie, they can cause problems as they're hard for the digestive system to break down.
Another common culprit could be your protein. Many cheap proteins are filled with unnecessaryfillers and artificial sugars that can cause digestive upset. That’s why I only use Healthy Chef Protein. They're pure, clean proteins with no added nasties! They're also: gluten free, low FODMAP, low carb, keto and naturally sourced.
Many cheap proteins are filled with unnecessaryfillers and artificial sugarsthat can cause digestive upset.
2. Drinking Your Smoothie Too Quickly
This one sounds simple but is often the most common! Depending on what you put in your smoothie, it can be a lot of nutrition for your body to take in at once. Try sippingon your smoothieover 5 – 10 minutes so you have time to digest it.
Drinkyour smoothieover 5 – 10 minutes.
3. Possible Food Intolerances
Some people might be sensitive to certain ingredients or food combinations.
Personally, I find that mixing too many differentingredients in my smoothies causes some discomfort. I prefer to keep things simple and use just a few ingredients. My smoothie of the moment is 1/2 avocado,Healthy Chef Protein, Everyday Greens and coconut water.
What smoothie combinations work best for you will vary from person to person, so it’s best to listen to your body and adapt your ingredients depending on how they make you feel. This takes a bit of trial and error,just remember to keep it simple and try not to overcomplicate things.
Keepyour smoothie combinationssimple and use just a few key ingredients.
Other possible causes:
Gas and bloating can be caused by a variety of food or medical conditions. If you experience consistent digestive issues and suspect you have some food intolerances or gut dysbiosis, I recommend that youbook in with a Dietitian, Nutritionist or Naturopath to address the root of the problem.
FAQs
Some foods — including grains, vegetables, and beans — contain sugars and fiber that can be difficult to digest for some people. This can cause bloating, gas, and even loose stools.
Why am I bloated if I eat healthy? ›
Some foods — including grains, vegetables, and beans — contain sugars and fiber that can be difficult to digest for some people. This can cause bloating, gas, and even loose stools.
Can smoothies cause stomach issues? ›
According to Chinese Medicine, smoothies (being in their raw form) contain a "cold thermal property." So if you already have a weak digestive fire, then raw foods, like smoothies will extinguish that fire creating issues like bloating and cramping.
What causes bloating after eating fruits? ›
Also, be mindful that certain foods — and drinks — can trigger excess digestive discomfort. Consider avoiding some common offenders and you can continue on your path to a more nutritious lifestyle. Many people avoid fruit because fruit has sugar, including fructose and sorbitol, which can cause inflammation and gas.
Why is my protein shake making me bloated? ›
Take a whey protein shake, for instance, which contains lactose. If you happen to be lactose intolerant, consuming whey protein may result in bloating, or you might find that you do not tolerate a certain sweetener very well.
Why am I bloated after a smoothie? ›
Drinking Your Smoothie Too Quickly
This one sounds simple but is often the most common! Depending on what you put in your smoothie, it can be a lot of nutrition for your body to take in at once. Try sipping on your smoothie over 5 – 10 minutes so you have time to digest it. Drink your smoothie over 5 – 10 minutes.
Why am I getting fatter the healthier I eat? ›
Many of us make the mistake of thinking that simply eating healthy will cut down on weight gain. But, eating healthy foods may not always result in a lower weight. This is because eating healthy foods with high-calorie density may lead to weight gain. Simply put, you are eating too many calories.
What are 2 potential risks of smoothies? ›
In conclusion, smoothies can be a great way to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables in our diet, which would have many health benefits. However, they may contain large amounts of added or natural sugars, which can contribute to dental problems and obesity.
Are smoothies bad for your gut? ›
Smoothies are a nice option if you have IBS or other digestive problems. Plant fiber is pulverized when blended and therefore may be easier for your digestive system to handle. The "good guy" bacteria in your gut will be thrilled by the increase in the number of plant foods that smoothies provide.
What causes a bloated stomach? ›
There are many simple causes of abdominal bloating, such as gas, constipation, indigestion, food intolerance, and fluid retention. These symptoms are easily treated with home remedies, lifestyle changes, OTC medications, and prescription medications.
Sipping enough water can help your body digest and absorb nutrients more efficiently, including protein. Incorporating fibre-rich foods. Foods packed with fibre can help shuttle food through your digestive system, reducing the chance of bloating. Adding digestive enzymes or probiotics to the diet.
How long does bloating last? ›
How long does a bloated stomach last? If your bloating is due to something you ate or drank or to hormone fluctuations, it should begin to ease within a few hours to days. If you are constipated, it won't go down until you start pooping. Water, exercise and herbal teas can help encourage all of these things along.
Why does my stomach bubble after a protein shake? ›
If you normally don't get much fiber in your diet, drinking high-fiber protein shakes can initially cause some gas and bloating. That doesn't mean you should avoid shakes containing fiber since fiber offers all kinds of health benefits and most of us need to get more in our diet.
Why is my stomach bloated when dieting? ›
"Excess fiber intake in massive low-calorie salads can cause bloating and poor digestion," explained Sharp. "Also, chewing lots of gum or drinking carbonated beverages to suppress appetite can result in a lot of swallowing of air, which can ultimately make you bloat."
How long does it take for the gut to adjust to a new diet? ›
How long does it take for the gut microbiome to change after switching diets? Your dietary choices impact your gut chemistry — and your gut health — in as few as three days.
What does it mean when everything you eat makes you bloated? ›
If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.
Why do I feel worse when I start eating healthy? ›
So why do you feel worse than before? When you switch to a new diet, you may experience temporary discomfort. This is because your body may take a while to adapt to the new changes.
