A new research report commissioned by Kellogg’s Australia has revealed that 65% of Australians believed if they could see inside their gut, they would be likely to take care of it. As a result, medical expert Dr Ginni has shared her top lifestyle tips for keeping your gut healthy and the importance of doing so.
Why is keeping your gut healthy is so important?
We often see all bacteria as bad, but in fact, they play an essential role in overall health. There are millions of microbes living inside our gut, playing a critical role in keeping our gut healthy. What we eat can affect these microbes.
There’s a negative connotation associated with bacteria, especially in our bodies. Our gut contains both good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria (microbions) help fight against disease and infection, help regulate our metabolism and break down nutrients. By eating a balanced diet, we get to keep the good bacteria in our gut thriving.
Someone who has a healthy gut will have diverse microbes living in their gut. This diversity is key to optimising health. To increase microbe diversity, you should eat a variety of plant-based foods such as whole grains, high fibre breakfast cereals, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds
Lifestyle Tips
There are numerous ways Australian’s can improve their gut health. But we understand some of these actions can be difficult to sustain, especially when we’re always on the move. Below are some top tips, which can easily be adapted into your routine, and will help keep your good gut bacteria thriving when you’re on the run:
- Grab an easy breakfast
The first meal of our day is important as it fuels us. Breakfast is always one of the hardest meals to organise, especially if you’re in a rush or late to work. One of the easiest ways you can eat breakfast is to find quick options that are still nutritious. Breakfast cereals high in fibre such as Sultana Bran, are not only quick and easy but will also help you feel fuller
- Pack balanced meals
Making sure you have a meal packed that includes foods high in fibre is essential for gut health. An easy way to do this is to include foods like fresh vegetables and fruit, in your meal to keep you fuller for longer and don’t require too much time to prepare
- Fill up your water bottle
Keeping hydrated is important for your gut. Having a reusable water bottle on hand will remind you to drink and fill it up when empty
- Plan ahead
Planning meals in advance will stop you from ordering fast food or food high in saturated fats. You can also ensure your diet is balanced if planned out ahead
- Shop Smart
There are the top three foods that should be on your grocery list for good gut health
- Leafy greens like spinach and kale (also high in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K)
- Avocado is high in fibre and full of essential nutrients like potassium. It’s also a good source of healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Low-fructose fruits like bananas, berries and pineapple are high in fibre and when slightly unripe contain resistant starch, a substance that encourages good bacteria to thrive
Dr Ginni Mansberg
