Fall is in full swing, which means we are in peak apple season! A fresh apple is crisp, tart, sweet, and juicy, making for a great snack or salad addition, smoothie star, or dessert component. Apples, besides being delicious, are undeniably good for you, as they contain essential nutrients, specifically fiber. One medium apple contains about four grams of fiber, according to nutritional data. 

Fiber is a good thing, right? Well, the high-fiber content can make apples difficult to digest. In this article, we will explain why they are hard to digest and how long they take to digest. We’ll also explain what to do if your stomach hurts after eating apples. 

Apples Are High In Fiber

As previously mentioned, apples are great sources of fiber. Fiber brings a host of health benefits, such as reducing LDL cholesterol levels, regulating bowel movements, and keeping you full. If you consume a good amount of fiber in your diet, apples may not cause digestive discomfort. Increasing your dietary fiber intake too quickly, or eating a lot of fiber all at once (such as a couple apples), may cause gas, bloating, constipation, or abdominal cramps. 

Apples Are High In Fructose

Fructose, also known as fruit sugar, can be hard on the digestive system for some people. The fructose in apples can increase the risk of bloating and general stomach pain, especially if you eat a lot of apples at once. The Cleveland Clinic reports that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be particularly sensitive to the fructose in apples. If you have IBS or fructose sensitivity, you may get diarrhea if you eat fruits that are high in fructose, such as cherries, apples, and peaches. Fructose is actually the reason why apple juice can cause diarrhea, especially in children who drink it in large amounts. 

Foods that are rich in carbohydrates or sugar, like apples, tend to stay in the stomach for about 30 to 60 minutes. That all depends on the person’s digestive system, though. It can take anywhere from 40 to 120 minutes after those initial 30 to 60 minutes for food to move through the intestines. Additionally, it can take up to several hours before it becomes waste. If you have digestive issues, consider the following if you want to make apples easier to digest.

Cook Them

By cooking apples, you can break down their nutrients, which can make them easier to digest than raw apples. Cooking apples is one of the best ways to enjoy them without experiencing gas or bloating. Applesauce and cooked apples without peels are often recommended for people after dealing with a recent stomach bug. 

Peel Them

Regarding fiber, there is soluble and insoluble fiber (click here to learn the difference). Apples contain soluble fiber in the flesh and insoluble fiber in the skin, according to nutritionists. If you want to decrease the amount of fiber in your apple, you can peel it before eating it. That may help reduce the side effects of eating too much fiber at once, which can include bloating, gas, and diarrhea. 

Watch Your Portions

This tip is especially important if you have IBS, a fructose sensitivity, or you usually get diarrhea after eating apples. Try to limit the amount you eat per day, keeping in mind that a serving size is one medium apple. Eating more than one medium apple per day could potentially cause digestive discomfort. If you notice pieces of undigested apple in your stool, you may have eaten too much and the body was unable to break it down. 

If you want to enjoy apples without experience severe digestive issues, consider the following tips:

• Go for a walk if your stomach hurts after eating apples, or engage in some gentle movement to aid digestion. Health experts note that exercise is a tried-and-true remedy for gas and bloating because movement helps to get things moving.
• Drink plenty of water when you eat foods that contain a lot of fiber. The Cleveland Clinic notes that you should drink 11.5 and 15.5 eight-ounce cups of water per day, in addition to eating water-rich foods, to stay hydrated. Water helps things move through the gut, which can help you avoid complications that result from too much fiber. 
• Boil some water and get out a few different herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, and ginger. These teas work to soothe bloating and gas, but keep in mind that some of them can make bloating worse, especially if you have acid reflux.

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This Granny Smith applesauce is not only 100% raw vegan, but it also comes together in a matter of minutes. Granny Smith apples are the green ones, in case you didn’t know, and they provide a touch of tartness to the applesauce. If you do not enjoy the subtly tart flavor of Granny Smith apples, you can opt for whatever your favorite apple is. Some people may prefer Gala apples, while other may enjoy Honeycrisp or Fuji varieties.

This applesauce only contains five ingredients: Granny Smith apples, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The lemon juice complements the tart apple flavor, while the warming cinnamon and nutmeg give you that signature fall essence. Should you require more sweetness, you can drizzle in a little grade A maple syrup or raw agave nectar. We happen to like the tarter flavor that this applesauce provides, but to each their own.

As long as you have a food processor or high-speed blender, this recipe will come together in five minutes or less. Blend everything until you reach your desired consistency. Some people prefer applesauce that is luxuriously smooth, while others enjoy a little chunkiness. You don’t want to have huge apple cubes in there, though! When you serve it in a bowl, feel free to add a little pinch of cinnamon to the top. You can also refrigerate for 30 minutes before you enjoy if you want it colder. We hope you like this healthy snack!

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For people living with Crohn’s disease, it can be difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan when you’re on the go. You probably won’t find Crohn’s-friendly snacks from gas stations or convenience stores. That is why health experts encourage you to always pack snacks that are safe and healthy for your condition. 

Each person living with Crohn’s disease has their own particular food tolerances and taste preferences. It is necessary to keep track of what you eat because certain foods may affect the digestive tract differently. While there is no specific diet for Crohn’s disease, there are nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial to consume if you have the condition. It can be beneficial to keep a food journal, as monitoring which foods make your gut happy vs. unhappy can help you choose better meals and snacks moving forward. Additionally, eating the right foods can help you manage digestive flare-ups. 

Although there isn’t a perfect diet to follow if you have Crohn’s disease, you can consult with a dietitian for help. Consider experimenting with the following Crohn’s-friendly snacks that are tasty and easy to digest. 

Rice Crackers

Rice is one of the most tolerated sources of carbohydrates if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Health experts consider it an IBD-friendly food, noting that most people do not experience gut inflammation after eating it. When buying rice, make sure to purchase low-fiber white rice because brown rice and wild rice may not benefit your condition. You can easily make rice cakes, rice crackers, and rice pudding with rice. Purchase unsalted rice crackers from the store and top it with avocado, peanut butter, or hummus for a filling, Crohn’s-friendly snack. 

Bananas

Bananas are easy to enjoy if you have Crohn’s disease, and they make for an easy travel snack, no matter what symptoms you experience. Pack one or two in your bag and get on the move! According to dietitians, you can eat bananas at almost any stage of ripeness, except for the very green types. Bananas are truly the exception if you have Crohn’s disease because they are easy for the body to digest. You can add more protein and healthy fats by pairing them with some healthy peanut butter. 

Hummus

If you want a higher-calorie snack option, this classic chickpea dip can be a great option, especially if you have a hard time maintaining weight. A small container of two to three tablespoons of hummus is a perfect on-the-go snack that is Crohn’s-friendly. Since you probably do not want to eat hummus with a spoon, cohoe some crackers that don’t aggravate your digestive system. As mentioned earlier, rice crackers can be a great option, but plant pretzels can also help you avoid a flare-up. 

Applesauce 

People with inflammatory bowel disorders typically have to avoid raw fruits, but cooked fruits without peels are usually fine, more often than not. Applesauce is very easy to digest and safe to eat, especially after a flare-up. Applesauce contains lots of potassium and vitamin C, especially if you make your own applesauce. Store bought applesauce can be tricky because a lot of it contains added sugar. You can make your own by clicking here, or you can search for healthier varieties in the store. 

Avocado

According to dietitians, avocado is one of the best superfoods for people living with Crohn’s disease. It contains lots of unsaturated fats and other nutrients, including potassium, vitamins C & E, and magnesium. Similar to bananas, avocados are very easy for the body to digest and tolerate. Avocados are also versatile, and you can eat them fresh with a little sea salt, pureed on top of rice crackers, as guacamole, or incorporate them into smoothies. 

Peanut Butter On Toast

If you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or another inflammatory bowel disease, you should obtain your dietary fat from heart-healthy sources. Nut butters, nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil are great sources of heart-healthy fats. Peanut butter on toast is a great snack if you have Crohn’s, but make sure that the bread fits within a low-residue diet. Low-fiber white bread tends to be a better option for people with Crohn’s disease, especially if symptoms are severe. If you don’t enjoy peanut butter, you can opt for cashew butter, almond butter, and other nut butters.

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Apple sauce is a great snack, especially when it is raw and vegan. Your body can easily absorb the benefits of apples when you don’t have the other preservatives, which are typically in applesauce, getting in the way!

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