Apples
Fiber intake can be a slippery slope when it comes to gut health. While fitting ample amounts of this nutrient into your diet is essential to keep things running properly, too much of it can cause digestive issues. For this reason, it may be best to avoid high-fiber foods like apples if you're prone to gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. "Foods heavy in fiber, such as apples, may cause gastrointestinal distress in some people," Dickson confirms.
People whose bodies are less used to consuming fiber will be hit the hardest by this fruit. As Dickson tells us, the digestive issues at hand "happens more frequently in people whose digestive systems aren't accustomed to the abrupt increase in fiber, as is the case with those who eat low-fiber diets." This is just one reminder that everyone's bodies are different, and will respond to food in different ways—so while your friend may be able to eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away, you may throw your digestive system for a loop if you started to adopt this habit.
Dates
Dates are another nutrient-dense food that, although generally healthy in moderation, may lead to gut issues due to their high fiber content. "While they have essential nutrients, including fiber and vitamin B, people with sensitive digestive systems should be careful when consuming them," Angman warns.
It isn't just the fiber that's an issue, though. Angman explains that sulfates can also take a toll on your gut when you eat this naturally sweet treat in excess. "[Dates] also have sulfites, which can cause diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and skin rash if you are sensitive to Sulphur," she says. Like most foods, though, eating a few dates likely won't leave to serious issues. Angman simply suggests limiting your intake.
At the end of the day, the healthiest diet for you will come down to your personal needs, so it's always best to check in regularly with your body (and a doctor) in order to evaluate what's working and what's not. However, if you're not sure where to start, cutting down on high-fiber fruits like apples and dates could be one good idea.