How Long Does It Take to Digest Vegetables?

How easy is it for our body to digest vegetables? How long will it take to our stomach to digest them? Are there any tips to simplify and shorten the process? Let’s dive in to find out!

It is not a secret that we should eat various vegetables to boost and help our body process nutrients more efficiently.

There are some “special” vegetables that we should consume that will help to optimize and improve our gut health.

Quick Note: If until now you didn’t eat a lot of vegetables rich in fiber and now you want to improve the situation, take it slowly. Step-by-step. Because your body will not be used to a large amount of fiber, and as a result, you may experience bloating or gas.

Even if vegetables are digested a lot quicker if we will compare them with meat or other products, there are still a few things that we should point to.

Why Do Vegetables Take Longer to Digest?

This is partially true if we are referring to some raw vegetables. It may happen to some of us because raw vegetables contain a fiber called cellulose which may be challenging to break down into components.

Our pancreatic enzymes find it harder to digest, even if it is a simple polymer.

Fried vegetables, especially those fried in oil, will also take longer to digest because they are fattier, which complicates the stomach acid’s work.

How to Fix It?

Consider cooking the vegetables if you notice that you have a problem with digestion when you’re eating raw vegetables. The best option for you will be to boil, steam, or blanch.

Which Vegetables Digest Faster?

As a general rule, vegetables that are higher in water content are easier to digest in our stomachs.

As a few examples that will digest in about 30-40 minutes are cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, cauliflowers, or broccoli.

Pro Tip: To speed up the digestion time, try not to mix different types of food that are too complex.

Which Vegetables Digest Longer?

To this category, we can refer to root vegetables such are carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, and so on. On average, our stomach will need about 50-60 minutes to digest them.

Also, vegetables with higher starch content, like potatoes, butternut squash, corn, artichokes, and so on, will take even more time to digest them. On average, our stomach will need 60-80 minutes to digest them.

Pro Tip: If you have issues with your digestive system, try to avoid cruciferous vegetables (especially raw, uncooked) like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts as they contain some sugars that are more difficult for our stomach to digest them.

Which Vegetables Help Your Digestion?

Artichokes

You will be surprised when you find that a medium artichoke has around 6 grams of fiber. Consider adding it to your diet if you know that you’re not eating enough fiber.

Artichokes are also great for our digestive system as they provide prebiotics that maintains our gut health.

Squash

Another great source of fiber that you can feed your body with. A cup of squash has 7-10 grams of fiber on average.

Broccoli

This veggie will protect your gut microbiome, and as a bonus, it also contains about 5 grams of fiber in one cup of steamed broccoli.

Keep a Food Diary

As all of our bodies are different, there may be some exceptions of vegetables that your body is digesting quicker or longer than usual.

Because of that, you can write in a notebook or just on your smartphone, what vegetables are more difficult for you to digest, and what vegetables your stomach digest easily and without any issues.

Digesting Fruits and Vegetables Together

Want to make an explosion of vitamins on your plate? Did you plan to chop all the fruits and vegetables that you have in your kitchen and enjoy them?

Well, you may want to change your mind. Why? Because vegetables and fruits are digested differently by our stomach, and if you have some digestion problems, you may find some issues by doing that.

As fruits are richer in sugar, they are digested more quickly, while vegetables will still remain in your stomach.