The best and worst foods for digestion

In theory, you should be able to digest just about any type of food you put in your mouth.

But changes in food processing and preparation (think fried), not to mention lifestyle (think sedentary), mean our stomachs don't always react well to everything we eat.

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 and what's bad when it comes to keeping your system running smoothly.

High-fat and fried food

Worst

Both high-fat and fried food can overwhelm the stomach, resulting in acid reflux and heartburn. "The body can only handle so much at one time," says Jessica Anderson, RD, a diabetes educator with the Texas A&M Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center, in Corpus Christi.

High-fat food also can result in pale-colored stool, a phenomenon called steatorrhea, which is essentially excess fat in the feces. A lot of people with irritable bowel syndrome need to stay away from foods high in fat, she says, including butter and cream because they can cause digestive problems.

Chili peppers

Worst

This staple of spicy cuisine can irritate the esophagus and lead to heartburn pain.

This can be a particular problem for people with irritable bowel syndrome or those who already suffer from chronic heartburn, says Dr, Tim McCashland, a gastroenterologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha.

Dairy

Worst

You need calcium in your diet, and an easy way to get it is from dairy products such as milk and cheese. But, for the lactose intolerant, these can cause diarrhea, gas, and abdominal bloating and cramps.

Lactose intolerance, a common problem, occurs when people don't make enough lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose (the sugar found in milk). Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and chemotherapy can damage the intestines, which also can lead to lactose intolerance.

If you're lactose intolerant, staying away from dairy is probably your best bet.

Alcohol

Worst

Alcohol relaxes the body, but, unfortunately, it also relaxes the esophageal sphincter. This can lead to acid reflux or heartburn.

Drinking also can inflame the stomach lining, impairing certain enzymes and preventing nutrients from being absorbed, Anderson says. Too much alcohol can cause diarrhea and cramping, but unless you have a gastrointestinal disorder, moderate amounts of alcohol shouldn't irritate the digestive tract.

Guidelines suggest no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women.