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Would you have a slice of cake?
It’s hard to refuse such a sweet invitation. However, sweet treats can have a dark side and affect your digestion. Indeed, there’s nothing worse than enjoying a yummy and moist slice of home-baked cake one minute, and the next experiencing bloating or stomach cramps. There could be many different reasons affecting your digestion. Gluten intolerance or gluten excess can be one of the most common causes of discomfort, for instance. Looking on the bright side of baking: You can find a gut-friendly alternative for most issues.
Gluten may not be your best friend
Digestive issues related to gluten can come in many forms. Celiac disease is a rare autoimmune disease that only affects 1% of the population. If you have it, chances are that you already know. However, gluten sensitivity is a milder form of intolerance that can affect your digestion when you consume too much gluten, aka goodbye wheat-based cakes. But, you can replace your afternoon treat with something easier on the digestive tract, such as this delicious gluten free blueberry muffins recipe. Alternatively, you can also look into non-wheat flour such as almond or coconut flour, or even flourless cakes!
Cut down on sugar rush
Can too much sugar cause discomfort? Yes, it can cause bloating, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, among other issues, which means that you need to find a suitable substitute for your sweet tooth. You can find sugar substitutes in most grocery stores. However, a better idea is to replace the sugar with fruits to help your digestive system. Bananas are a popular alternative, as you can mash a cup of overripe bananas with a little water to replace a cup of sugar. Figs are another amazing substitute to both sugar and fat, and they’re full of calcium and fiber.
Add gut-friendly ingredients
Talking about fibers, cakes tend to lack this essential nutrient. If your diet doesn’t have sufficient fiber, your digestive system can struggle to break down cakes in the stomach. As a result, your sweet treat could sit idle in the stomach, causing bloating and indigestion. However, you can add fiber to your cakes. A common solution is to replace some ingredients with a fiber bomb such as zucchini. In the same way you can add zucchini to your lasagna to cut down on carbs and help digestion, you can do the same with your favorite cake recipes. Indeed, zucchinis are not only high in dietary fiber, but they also take a variety of cooking and baking methods. You can grate it into the cake mix for extra moisture. Alternatively, beetroot is another fantastic fiber secret to boost your cake.
Drink more water
It might sound silly to remind you to drink plenty of water, but cakes can feel heavy on the stomach if you don’t drink enough water. As a rule of thumb, you should aim for 8 glasses of water a day. Do make sure to add an extra glass to your daily water intake if you’re having a slice of cake! It’ll help along the way.
Keeping your favorite treats digestion-friendly is a lot easier than it seems. With a few smart substitutions, you can create delicious cakes that are gentle on the digestive system. From gluten-free alternatives to reducing your sugar intake, there’s a lot you can do to keep your tummy and your sweet tooth happy.
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