Feeling good so we can live our lives to the fullest is high on everyone’s priorities list. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or overwhelming. And you don’t need to get a headache looking at all the product ingredients at your local grocery store. We will take you through some simple tips to eat your way to a healthier gut.
Soon you’ll be laughing all the way to good health and wellbeing. With 80% of our immune system connected to the gut, it makes sense that healing it will do the world of good for our bodies.
Known as the “second brain”, our gut can influence everything from how we think and feel to our energy levels and skin health. Luckily, simple daily habits can drastically improve your gut and will have you leaping out of bed, conquering your life in no time.
We’ve enlisted the help of GoodnessMe founder, Peta Shulman with plenty of personal experience in the field. Peta knows what it means to be bedridden with barely enough energy to walk to the kitchen. She’s overcome poor gut health to help manage and take control of her health to now run her own business and help others too. Here are the tips she shared that will have you enjoying eating nourishing food made with real ingredients.
Gut-Loving Foods To Enjoy
While it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s digestive system is different, and some foods that irritate one person may be totally fine for others, these are some foods that your gut universally loves:
- Fresh fruit and veggies
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, sourdough, miso
- Wholegrains: brown & black rice, buckwheat, millet, rolled oats and quinoa
- Nuts & seeds: almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, chia
- Spices: turmeric & ginger
- Brone broth
- Herbal teas: ginger, fennel, peppermint, licorice, and dandelion are great options!
Foods To Avoid
A group of Aussie researchers from Monash University, identified a selection foods that are harder to digest for some, called FODMAPs. Essentially they’re short-chain sugars that are poorly absorbed by the body and can lead to IBS-like symptoms. Following a low-FODMAP diet should always be done with the guidance of a qualified dietitian or nutritionist. They will take sufferers through a process of elimination and reintroduction to identify their own food “triggers” based on the FODMAP groups.
Here are some foods to avoid if you’re having issues:
- High FODMAP vegetables like onion, garlic, mushrooms and boiled legumes
- High FODMAP fruits like apples, pears, watermelon and ripe bananas
- Fried foods
- Processed foods that are high in sugar
- Carbonated soft drinks
- Coffee (sigh.)
Turn The Focus On Fibre
Are you eating enough fibre? Most of us aren’t. As per Australian guidelines, the recommended amount is 25-30g per day. Why is fibre so important? It’s essential for digestive health and regular bowel movements. Try to build up your intake slow and steady, and opt for foods like psyllium husk, Wholegrains and rolled oats. Make your next brekkie bircher muesli, and be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid getting blocked up!
To take the guesswork out of stocking up your pantry with all the gut-loving snacks, sweet treats, ready-made meals and cooking staples you’ll need on your wellness journey, go with GoodnessMe. Peta and the GoodnessMe team work with qualified Nutritionists to pick every one of the products in their subscription boxes and their online health food store, ensuring you’ll only be nourishing your body with real, natural food free of any artificial nasties.
*This is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. If you do find yourself suffering from digestive or gut issues, be sure to consult a healthcare professional before making any diet or lifestyle changes.
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