Gut health is something that I am very passionate about around 5 years ago I began looking into gut health and soon realised how very important it is to our health. This is when my healthy lifestyle began, and it changed my life in so many ways
Today I will share my top 5 foods to help improve your gut health naturally. Keeping your gut bacteria balanced is essential for good health, eating natural organic gut healing foods is the best way to support digestive integrity and protect your immune system, and body from ill health. I personally found that eating this way boosted my mood but most importantly for me my digestion improved after suffering for most of my life. The power of a healthy clean diet never ceases to amaze me the benefits are endless.
Did you know that your digestive tract houses around 70% of the cells that make up your immune system? There are around 100 trillion microbes which live in the gut whose main function is digest what we eat and extract the nutrients.
By eating a diet that is high in refined carbs, sugar and processed foods that are low in fibre can be very harmful to our gastrointestinal system and can greatly affect our gut bacteria balance resulting in the following but not limited to.
Bloating
Skin conditions
Constipation
Allergies
Recurring infections
I found that the best way for me personally to achieve optimal gut health is to eat a clean balanced diet and its best to avoid the following foods.
Junk food
Processed food
Packaged food
Soft drinks
Coffee
High sugar foods
Sweetener’s
Refined carbs (white pasta, pastries, and cakes)
Pasteurised dairy products Some of the foods listed above are highly acidic and inflammatory aggravating the gut preventing the absorption of nutrients.
I completely understand if you are reading this and it might sound daunting but honestly take one step at a time, I found that by doing this gradually over the years it is now a way of life.
My top 5 foods to improve your gut are:
Ginger (my favourite I love the taste) I like to add to smoothies, juices, and banana bread or in a lovely warm drink.
Garlic (I often wonder do I smell of garlic because I eat so much of it) I do apologise to my clients if you are reading this and have noticed that a smell of garlic ha-ha. I like to oven bake mine until soft and squeeze into a jar ready to add to all my cooking (apparently you do not smell of garlic as much eating it this way) to be honest it tastes much better this way and saves so much time when cooking! It is full of antibacterial properties and inulin a type of fibre that provides fuel for the good bacteria.
Brussel sprouts I love when they are in season, they are my favourite vegetables! So tasty containing lots of fibre and antioxidants which are important for gut health helping with constipation and improving bowel motions and nutrient absorption. My favourite way to cook them is to drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, Himalayan pink salt and black pepper and roast for around 25 minutes – they are a taste sensation, honestly give it a go!
Kombucha is a fermented tea full of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) for your gut. You can buy delicious ready made Kombucha online in a variety of flavours my personal favourite is from “Loving foods”
Sauerkraut and kimchi Fermented foods excellent for gut health. Sauerkraut is finely chopped cabbage and is fermented in a jar using salt. Kimchi is a fermented dish using cabbage, radishes, garlic, and chillies both are great sources of probiotics nutrients and fibre. Try to eat a healthy diet full of organic vegetables and fruit, good quality protein (nuts seeds beans lentils peas legumes eggs), and healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, nuts, and seeds)
Life always offers you a second chance it’s called tomorrow.
Wishing you health and happiness.