Is There Anything That Helps Digest Lettuce?

Lettuce is low in calories and rich in a number of nutrients you need to stay healthy. But if you're not completely digesting the leafy greens, or it gives you stomach trouble, you may not enjoy eating it. Taking your time to thoroughly chew lettuce or eating smaller amounts may help improve digestion. If eating lettuce continues to give you an upset stomach, however, talk to your doctor about a potential intolerance or allergy.

If you don't eat a lot of fiber, you might have a hard time digesting the fiber in lettuce. (Image: KOICHI SAITO/amanaimagesRF/amana images/Getty Images)

Lettuce Digestion

If you notice bits of lettuce or a green tint in your stool, you may worry that you're not digesting the vegetable properly. It's normal for there to be pieces of high-fiber foods such as lettuce in your stool, however, reports the Gastrointestinal Society. It's also normal for your stool to be green in color after eating green foods such as lettuce.

Tips to Improve Lettuce Tolerance

If you're having difficulty digesting lettuce, it may be due to its fiber content. If your diet is lacking in fiber and you consume lettuce, the bacteria in your digestive tract may have a difficult time handling it, causing abdominal pain, gas and bloating. To ease symptoms, eat smaller amounts of lettuce and slowly increase your intake as tolerated to allow time for the bacteria to catch up. Make sure to drink plenty of water as you increase your fiber intake -- getting more fiber without adequate hydration can cause constipation.