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Happy Tummy Expert

5 months ago

Dear chandan, Thank you for the question

Indigestion towards certain foods (such as spicy foods as mentioned by you), malabsorption, inability to digest/absorb certain nutrients can occur due to intolerance, digestive issues, food allergies or any underlying health condition which requires medical attention. We recommend you to consult a specialized health professional such as a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis and management.

Stomach cramps, stomach pain also referred to as Stomach ache, abdominal pain is the discomfort felt near the abdominal region. It can range from mild to severe with varied frequency overtime.

Different causes of stomach pain include constipation, indigestion, intolerances, GERD, Appendicitis, UTI, Pre-menstrual syndrome or any other underlying medical condition. Some of the other symptoms that may accompany stomach pain include, fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite etc. which may require medical attention.

Certain food intolerances can cause bloating, stomach pain after consuming specific foods. In lactose intolerance it is seen after consuming milk and milk products like cheese, paneer etc. And in gluten intolerance it is seen after consuming, wheat, rye, barley etc

A few guidelines for general digestive health to be considered:

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
• Eat a well-balanced diet including minimum 5 serving of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
• Try to include whole grains like wheat, multigrain and millets in your daily diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable
•  over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
• Some of the foods should be restricted or avoided, these include caffeine, raw onion, citric juices and spicy foods etc.  as they can alleviate intestinal symptoms
• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day
• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 60 minutes for at least 5 days a week.
• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

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