These Are the 10 Absolute Worst Foods for Your Gut (2 of 6)

Sugar

Sugar isn’t great in a lot of ways, but it’s also not the best food for your gut. And the reason lies in the fact that gut bacteria feed off of what you eat. Good gut bacteria are powered by prebiotic foods. But bad gut bacteria mainly feed off of sugar. This can create an imbalance if the bad bacteria begin to outweigh the good. Sugar that is bad for the gut also includes things like brown sugar and artificial sweeteners. Try natural sweeteners like honey or dark chocolate if you need a sweet fix.

Fried and Processed Foods

Fried foods and processed foods are bad for the gut for the same reason as sugar. They feed the bad gut bacteria, and cause imbalances in gut flora. Studies have shown that eating junk food and fried foods for just one week can result in the loss of a third of the species of gut bacteria. This is impactful because the more diverse the gut microbiome, the healthier we are. Instead of junk food, try a healthier option. And instead of frying foods in vegetable oil, try avocado or coconut oil, which do not break down as harmfully as other oils.