You Should Stop Eating Broccoli If This Happens To You

Your parents probably spent a good portion of your childhood trying to get you to eat your broccoli. This vegetable has long been known for its numerous health benefits. It's hard to imagine an argument against eating broccoli, but like any food, this veggie isn't best for everyone. According to Healthline, broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is high in FODMAPs.

FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are sugars that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine and can cause digestive issues in some people (via Johns Hopkins Medicine). If you experience bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or gas after eating broccoli, you are probably sensitive to FODMAP foods. While cooking broccoli can make it easier to digest, you don't want to experience digestive upset every time you eat this vegetable. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy veggies you can enjoy instead of broccoli if your stomach can't handle it. These include spinach, lettuce, zucchini, and cucumbers.

If you don't experience digestive issues from broccoli, there are plenty of reasons to incorporate it into your diet. Broccoli is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. "It's easily one of my favorite vegetables, especially from a nutrition perspective," said Brooke Scheller, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Director of Nutrition for Freshly.

According to Verywell Fit, some of the vitamins and minerals in broccoli include folate, vitamin A, manganese, potassium, and other B vitamins. One cup of this vegetable has over 100% of your daily recommended vitamin C and vitamin K intake. It is also high in fiber, which is an important nutrient that helps with fullness and digestion. "Fiber supports your digestive system. It helps food move through your body effectively and also feeds the good bacteria in your gut that keeps you fit," celebrity chef and certified nutritionist Serena Poon told Eat This, Not That!. The next time you can add broccoli to a meal, go for it.