Gastro Doctors Reveal The 1 Food They’d Almost Never Eat (+ Others To Minimize)

Most people know what is considered healthy food and what is considered unhealthy food. That won’t stop them from indulging from time to time—and that’s not always a bad thing. Many gastro doctors and dieticians don’t recommend completely avoiding certain dishes because that could increase the craving until the person overeats, sometimes falling into a restriction-binge cycle. However, not all unhealthy foods are equal, and some should be eaten more sparingly than others. And according to gastroenterologists, who specialize in gut and digestive health, some shouldn’t be eaten at all. 

Red meat

Unfortunately for carnivores, gastro doctors don’t encourage large consumption of red meat. “I avoid red meat, especially steaks and burgers,” said Dr. Reezwana Chowdhury, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins. “Red meat and processed meat increase the risk of colon cancer and colon polyps. They are high in saturated fats, but if you are going to consume them, the amount consumed is important: The risk of colon cancer is higher in those who consume greater than 100 grams per day.”

Similarly, Dr. Rabia De Latour, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, avoids processed meats like hot dogs and cold cuts. “Red and processed meats have a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Data has linked the ingestion of red and processed meats four or more times per week to as high as a 20% increased risk of colon cancer.”

While these doctors avoid red and processed meat, there are other foods to consider minimizing as well.

Read More: When it comes to heart health, white rice is just as bad as high-sugar foods like candy, study finds.

Soda 

“I have cut down significantly on soda after studies came out about the health hazards of sweetened beverages,” says Benjamin Lebewohl, MD, a gastroenterologist at Columbia Doctors in New York City. “They’re not as filling as solid food equivalents, so you can rapidly take in an unnatural quantity of calories without feeling like you’ve had a meal. Drinking soda can also cause a rapid spike in blood sugar followed by a spike in insulin, then a drop in blood sugar and insulin that can cause hunger.” 

He adds that diet soda uses artificial sweeteners with potentially negative effects on hunger and caloric intake. Additionally, carbonation can cause bloating, burping, and reflux for some people. The truth is, that sports drinks are often just as high in sugar and artificial sweeteners.  “Not to be a party pooper, but the truth is, the healthiest beverage is water,” he concludes.

Probiotics

This entry may surprise many people. But according to Lisa Ganjhu, DO, gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, don’t take supplements you don’t need. 

“I am often asked about taking probiotics. I would advise: If you don’t have bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation, don’t muck it up. You have a perfectly balanced microbiome! I do not take a probiotic on a regular basis. Certain conditions require special strains of bacteria. Probiotics for vaginal health may be different for GI or skin health. So you need to know what you are treating.”

Probiotics are also used to help the body digest antibiotics, but the gastro doctor still advocates for whole foods over supplements. “If I need to be on an antibiotic, I will usually take it with Greek yogurt, which is rich in healthy bacteria. Look for live cultures on the label.”

Coffee

Caffeine can cause many different responses in people. It can cause issues like indigestion, acid reflux, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating in some people, in addition to the typical side effect of headaches and jitteriness. Therefore, some people avoid coffee—and probably many caffeine aficionados should avoid it too. 

For example, Dr. Stephanie L. Gold, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and an instructor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai doesn’t drink coffee. Meanwhile, Dr. Adrienna Jirik, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic says, “The only thing I crave is a small nice hot cup of the darkest coffee I can brew… sipped slowly on the drive in (to work).“

Protein bars

“I never eat ‘protein’ bars. They tend to be highly processed and contain lots of additives that are of unknown utility,” says Dr. Harmony Allison, a gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center. “You can get the same amount of protein in a cup of milk, a serving of peanut butter, nuts or pumpkin seeds.” However, bars made of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are the better choice for on-the-go snacks. 

Read More: 25+ Everyday Foods That Are Bad for Your Health and Your Wallet

Deep-fried foods

No one needs a gastro doctor to know that fast food is unhealthy, and its deep-fried state is definitely a reason why. “Studies have shown that frying oil could adversely modulate the gut microbiome, leading to exacerbation of atherosclerosis (buildup of fat and other substances on the artery walls),” explained Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a microbiome researcher and co-founder of BIOHM. This buildup can eventually narrow or block the arteries, causing heart attacks and strokes.

Refined white bread

Dr. Shilpa Grover, the director of the onco-gastroenterology program in the division of gastroenterology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says refined grains may be detrimental to digestive health 

“Studies that have evaluated dietary patterns have clearly shown that a high intake of red and processed meat and refined grains is associated with an increased risk of [inflammatory pouches in the digestive tract] called diverticulitis…”

Fortunately, she adds, diets intended to lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other conditions can also lower the risk of diverticulitis. 

Read More: 8 of The Most Dangerous Foods in the World