I’m a gut health doctor – and these are the five popular supermarket items I would NEVER touch

A leading Australian gut health expert has revealed five common supermarket foods he would ‘never touch’ when suffering from bloating.

His warning comes after many of the so-called ‘healthy’ options on the shelves could actually make symptoms significantly worse.

Dr. Gastroenterologist and microbiome doctor, who has more than 71,000 followers on Instagram. Paul Froomes has built a loyal following online by delving into the science behind digestion and revealing the secret ingredients he believes are quietly wreaking havoc on people’s guts.

Now in a new way videoThe doctor explained that bloating is much more complicated than feeling full after a meal, sharing the foods she cut out completely when dealing with gut inflammation.

‘A swollen intestine does three things at once; creating gas, drawing in water and slowing down mobility,’ he explained.

‘These five foods all make these three things worse.’

Onions and garlic were at the top of his list, although he acknowledged that they are generally considered extremely healthy foods.

‘Their raw, cooked and various varieties preserved in sauces, soups and broths are unfortunately loaded with fructans, a fiber that people have difficulty fully digesting,’ he said.

According to him, when fructans are not adequately absorbed they can ‘draw water into the intestines and ferment it harshly’, which can cause painful bloating and bloating in some people.

‘If you’re feeling angry, even trace amounts of fructan in vinaigrette or salad can make the difference between a flat or swollen belly.’

The next product, in the form of inulin and chicory root fiber, may come as a surprise to many health-conscious shoppers.

Widely promoted as gut-friendly prebiotics and often added to protein bars, powders and ‘healthy’ snacks, Dr. Froomes said people who already struggle with bloating may react badly to them.

“Don’t get me wrong, these are a great prebiotic if you can tolerate them,” he explained.

‘But people with severe bloating often can’t do this, and it’s now hiding in almost every gut-friendly bar, prebiotic soda and protein powder on the shelves.’

He likened the effect to ‘putting gasoline on a gas fire’ for people who already experience excessive fermentation in their intestines.

Dr Froomes also urged Australians to be wary of sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, which are commonly found in sugar-free chewing gum, confectionery and protein bars.

Then, sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, and protein bars, as well as inulin and chicory root fiber added to protein bars and powders, can trigger bloating.

These include ingredients such as sorbitol, mannitol and erythritol.

‘These are not absorbed properly in the small intestine in many people, so what they do is draw water into the gut and ferment gas quickly, which is the opposite of what a bloated gut needs.’

He advised shoppers to check ingredient labels carefully, warning that many polyols can be identified because they end in ‘-ol’.

Packaged supermarket bread has also been blacklisted, especially highly processed loaves.

‘Standard supermarket canned bread is a triple whammy,’ Dr Froomes said.

‘Wheat is rich in fructans, refined flour ferments and turns to sugar quickly, and most nuts are full of softeners, emulsifiers and diglycerides, which have been proven to upset the gut.’

Packaged supermarket bread has also been blacklisted, especially highly processed loaves. “Wheat is high in fructans, refined flour ferments and turns to sugar quickly, and most nuts are loaded with softeners, emulsifiers and diglycerides that have been proven to upset the gut.”

But properly fermented sourdough is a notable exception, he said.

“Long fermentation breaks down most of the fructans before they reach your intestines,” he explained.

Despite the warnings, he emphasized that most of the foods on his list are not inherently ‘bad’ and may actually benefit people with healthy digestive systems.

‘Some are pretty good for a healthy gut, but when you’re already bloated, you’re not feeding a healthy gut, you’re feeding an inflamed and over-fermented gut.’

For anyone struggling with chronic bloating, he recommended temporarily eliminating foods for a few days to see if symptoms improve.

‘Take these off for three to five days and see how you feel.’

The latest video comes after Dr Froomes previously went viral for sharing supermarket staples he always buys for better gut health, including organic oatmeal, blueberries, extra virgin olive oil and dark chocolate.

Both videos warn that what’s hidden inside food is far more important than the marketing claims splashed across the front of the packaging.