Its hard to name a food better for you than vegetables.
Packed withfiber,micronutrients, andantioxidants, veggies are the ultimate health food.
Its no wonder theU.S.
Clearly, most of us could usemoreveggies in our diets, not fewer.
But there are a few circumstances when adding veg might not be the best idea.
Runnersdiarrheamay have various causes, saysMichael J. Thomas, MD, gastroenterologist at Palm Beach Childrens Hospital in Florida.
Dr. Thomas says that high-fiber foods like vegetables are a potential trigger for diarrhea during exercise.
Of course, that doesnt mean you should never eat your veggies if youre training for a race.
you’re able to always experiment to see how you respond to specific vegetables, too.
Runners should trial such dietary items during training to assess intolerances, he adds.
But when you have the choice, skip the canned variety when addedsaltis involved.
Often, manufacturers add copious amounts of salt to canned vegetables to preserve their flavor.
For people with heart health issues, this high sodium could spell trouble.
They are nutritious and provide essential vitamins and minerals.
In fact, Idaho potatoes recently became the first vegetable to participate in theAmerican Diabetes AssociationsBetter Choices for Lifeprogram.
And higher veggie consumption in general has been associated with better glycemic control inresearch.
That said, piling on the starchy veggies isnt a smart move for your blood sugar.
To keep your blood glucose in the black,keep starchy veggie intake moderate.
TheCDCs Diabetes Plate Methodallows for starchy veg to compose up to 25 percent of your plate.
If you have diabetes, you’re able to also focus your veggie efforts on nonstarchy choices.
Nonstarchy vegetablesare great options for people with blood sugar issues.
These vegetables are low in carbohydrates but packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Might Give You Gas and Bloating
Certain vegetables are notorious for causing gas.
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, for example, contain compounds called glucosinolates, perresearch.
In certain scenarios, you may want to avoid cruciferous vegetables altogether to banish the bloat.
(On a romantic date, say, you might want to pass on that broccoli side dish.)
At home, try cooking these veggies for at least a few minutes to reduce their gas-creating potential.
Some Veggies Could Cause Heartburn
Vegetables are great for your heart but not always great for heartburn.
Kitchens says certain acidic veggies can trigger a bout of reflux.
Tomatoes tend to be a common culprit because theyre highly acidic and can irritate the lining of the esophagus.
Other vegetables that may trigger heartburn include onions,garlic, and spicy peppers.
Keeping a food journal can help you identify whether certain vegetables cause irritation in your upper GI tract.
From there, you might take steps to minimize symptoms.
May Aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Different foods affect people withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)in different ways.
But for many individuals, theres a common thread of veggie offenders.
(Thelow-FODMAP dietis a popular choice among people living with IBS.)
Thomas says examples include onions, leeks, artichokes, peas,asparagus,mushrooms, and cauliflower.
For some people with IBS, going FODMAP-free might be a long-term commitment.
But a pause on high-FODMAP veggies could be temporary.
Thomas says some people may eventually be able to reintroduce these vegetables under the guidance of a registered dietitian.
While each case is unique, some veggies may cause flareups of Crohns or ulcerative colitis.
Thomas points to astudythat found that 45 percent of Crohns disease patients experienced adverse symptoms after eating corn.
The only way to know if a vegetable gives you trouble is to keep tabs on your symptoms.
(Again, a food journal can help.)
Once youve identified trigger foods, try limiting them or avoiding them completely during a flare.
Could Provide Too Much Potassium for People With Kidney Disease
People withkidney diseaseneed to maintain a delicate balance ofpotassiumlevels.
Unfortunately, many healthy veggies are high in potassium.
But never fear Kitchens says its possible to include vegetables in your diet without overdoing it on potassium.
Fortunately, changes to your urines color and smell from veggie consumption are generally harmless, according toHarvard Health.
This could include staying away from vegetables.
That said, many doctors have now moved past this line of thinking.
The benefits of veggies fiber content for a thriving gut microbiome probably outweigh any downsides post-surgery, he adds.
Still, its important to follow your doctors guidance for diet before and after surgery.
Always listen to your body and consult with your doctor to tailor your vegetable intake to your needs.
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