The Best Foods For Your Digestion

Why is digestion such a problem for some people? Generally, it has to do with food processing and preparation.

It’s best to avoid some food—like fatty meats—to avoid upset tummies. But, fortunately, nature also provides foods that can ease our digestion. Here’s a guide to what’s good when it comes to keeping your system running smoothly.

Bananas

Bananas help restore normal bowel function, especially if you have diarrhea.

Also, they restore electrolytes and potassium that may be lost due to runny stool. This fruit also has lots of fiber to aid digestion. “A banana a day is what I always say,” Anderson says.

Yogurt

You have trillions of bacteria in your gut that help you digest food, and yogurt contains some types of these healthy bacteria. (Although not all yogurts have them—check for “live and active cultures” on the label.)

“Yogurt has bacteria, which replenishes the normal flora within the gastrointestinal tract so it’s healthy,” Dr. McCashland says.

Lean Proteins

If you’re going to eat meat, go for chicken, fish, and other lean meats—they’ll go down a lot easier than a juicy steak.