The Best Foods To Aid Digestion
Digestion is the process in which your body breaks down the food you eat, takes the vitamins, minerals, calories, fats, and proteins needed, and sends what’s not needed to the exit. It should be a straightforward process, but there’s often roadblocks that prevent the system from running in a smooth manner. So what’s the best way to keep your digestive track on track?
The number one tip is to avoid eating processed foods. A diet based on whole foods is optimal for digestion. Processed foods often contain additives like glucose, salt, and artificial sweeteners that can cause gut inflammation and other digestive problems, like leaky gut. And it’s safe to assume that’s a condition you want to avoid…
However, there are foods you can add to your diet to help with digestion. Did your mom ever make you a cup of ginger tea when you had a stomach ache? Does your grandma have a pantry stocked with prune juice? Well, there’s a reason!
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help you beat the bloat. The root can help speed up the digestive process. It is also known to help with nausea, so if you are traveling by boat, it’s not a bad idea to sneak some ginger tea into your purse.
Fiber’s role in digestion isn’t glamorous, but it is important. Insoluble fiber, found in veggies and whole grains, absorbs water and helps keep your digestive tract clear. It is a bulking agent that aids in pushing food waste out of your body. But don’t worry, to get your daily dose of fiber, you don’t need to stock up on bran cereal and prunes. You can also find fiber in legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and whole grains. Here are a few high-fibers foods that might be a bit more appealing than a bowl of Grape-Nuts:
Artichokes
Baked beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
Oats
Almonds
Chia seeds
Avocado
Raspberries
Probiotics (trend alert) are another type of fiber that feeds the good bacteria that hangs out in your gut. Probiotics are believed to help treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (although the jury is still out on this). Many yogurt products contain probiotics, but if your stomach is sensitive to dairy, you can find probiotics in kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, and tempeh (what a range!).
Another good thing to have in the mix? Unsaturated fats. These fats team up with fiber to help you get those bowels moving. Unsaturated fats also help the body absorb vitamins. Foods you should add to the menu to get these good fats include flax seeds, walnuts, and salmon. And as always, drinking enough water is key. Dehydration is a common cause of constipation, so drink up!
To get a better understanding of what digestive health and what the fuel your body needs, schedule a FREE CALL with The Habyt!