7 Low-Key Signs Your Body Doesn’t Tolerate Sugar Very Well

We often fail to recognize symptoms of a carb intolerance and can even misdiagnose them as signs of other problems. This condition appears when your body can’t effectively digest foods that contain starch or that are high in sugar, like processed treats, some fruit, and milk. And as it turns out, this is relatively common, especially in children, and can cause a lot of discomfort.

Bright Side grew extremely interested in learning more about this topic. And now, we can’t wait to share the information we discovered.

1. You have stomach cramps.

As in many cases where your body has problems with digestion, one of the first signs that you have an intolerance to sugar is stomach cramps. Even though fruits and vegetables are healthy and we need to eat them to keep a balanced diet, some of them can be high in carbs and starch, therefore, disrupting your digestion. Among them are corn, sweet potatoes, quinoa, bananas, oats, apples, and mangoes.

Of course, just cramps alone don’t indicate that you can’t digest carbohydrates or sugars in particular. This problem is usually followed by more symptoms.

2. You start feeling nauseous.

In addition to cramps, nausea and dizziness can be another indicator. Other foods that often contain hidden sugars are processed sweet treats, salty snacks like chips or nuts, salad dressings, dips, pasta sauces, and instant oats. To be on the safe side, always check the ingredients that are listed on the packaging to avoid unwanted digestion disruptions.

3. Your belly becomes bloated.

Cramps and nausea are often followed by another intolerance indicator known as bloating. Even though it’s very common to feel swollen in your abdomen after eating several types of foods or big meals, you need to watch out for sugars in particular. Sweeteners are other products that can hide sugars. Among them are agave and corn syrups, molasses, brown sugar, and even honey.

4. You get gassy.

Eating too fast and swallowing a lot of air during the process might cause you to get gassy too. If you also feel the need to burp, this can be a sign of a disruptive eating habit. However, if flatulence comes in combination with the previously listed symptoms, this might be a sign that you should pay more attention to the foods you eat.

Products that contain lactose (sugars in milk) can be other potential digestion disruptors that can give your body troubles and cause excessive gas.

5. You find yourself craving more sweets.

One more indicator, that might even feel confusing, is particular cravings. People with an intolerance to carbohydrates might crave them more than regular people. However, there might be other reasons for your desire for something sweet. Among them are changes in hormones or a lack of particular nutrients in your body.

6. You feel sleepy after eating.

If you feel like you want to take a nap after eating a meal full of carbs, this might be another warning sign that your body doesn’t handle carbohydrates well. On top of that, this may be combined with symptoms like weakness, fatigue, mood changes, or even headaches.

7. You feel very anxious.

In general, consuming a lot of products high in sugar can be linked to feeling stressed out. However, you may start feeling anxious even if you eat just a little bit of it as your body has problems digesting it.

Bonus: how to test if you have sucrose intolerance

Anyone can perform this simple test at home. First, you’ll need to dissolve 4 tablespoons of white sugar in 4 ounces of water and then drink the mixture on an empty stomach. If after 4 hours the symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea occur, this might be a sign of a sugar intolerance. However, since the signs might be severe and unpleasant, it’s always highly recommended to consult with your doctor first before testing anything yourself!

Have you ever noticed any of these symptoms after eating a sweet treat or your favorite fruit?