We’ve all been told at some point to “trust our gut,” but now may be the ideal time to start thinking about your gut health. Your gastrointestinal health impacts nearly every other critical system in your body. Your gut is responsible for removing toxins from your body, regulating hormones, and even your immune system’s response to fighting off illness. When your gut health suffers, your whole body suffers. To live your healthiest life, taking care of your gut is one of the most important things you can do. And fortunately, your gut requires very little to be maintained in a healthy way. Just adding more good-for-your-gut foods can help you get started today.
Image
Not surprisingly, the list of unhealthy-gut foodscontains primarily processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and sugar. These foods have no place in a healthy diet anyway, and can be particularly problematic for your gut.
Cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli and cauliflower are the easiest gut-health foods to add to your diet. Simply adding these two foods, either raw or cooked, to your meal or salad will help you to begin to improve your gut health. These foods not only contain a healthy, real source of fiber, but also vitamins C and D which your body needs to function at its best.
Fermented foods. Whether you prefer the creamer texture of yogurt or you prefer the tang of kimchi, fermented foods are full of probiotics that your gut needs to ward off unhealthy bacteria and boost your production of serotonin that improves your mood. You didn’t know your gut was responsible for your mood? You’re not alone, but it seems in this case, you truly are what you eat.
Garlic. Garlic can help your gut counter bloat, flatulence, and constipation so adding it to your meals not only adds taste but a healthy component.
Apple cider vinegar. Admittedly not the most pleasant food on the list, but apple cider vinegar makes the top of almost every chart on this issue. Diluting a small amount of apple cider vinegar with warm water makes drinking a small amount every morning more palatable without diluting the healthy benefits of adding this drink to your gut check.
Eat the rainbow. Eating a variety of high-fiber vegetables and fruit not only delivers the array of nutrients and vitamins your body needs to operate at its best, but also adds a healthy dose of gut health to your diet. Whole grains, nuts and seeds all have a place in a gut-healthy diet, so loading your salads up with texture and color not only makes for a better tasting, more interesting salad, but a healthier one, too.
If you’ve tried adding these foods to your diet, let us know how you feel! Do you feel healthier in both mind and body than before? You might be surprised how a healthier gut contributes to an overall happier and healthier lifestyle.
