Article Reviewed By The Medical Faculty and Advisory Review Board
If you’ve kept up with our previous posts, then you probably have a good idea about how important the connection between gut health and our hormones really is.
When it comes to keeping your hormones in balance and healthy, your first line of defense is nutrition.
Today, we want to go over some good diet guidelines for maintaining a healthy gut as well as a few surprising substances you may not realize are doing your gut harm.
Fiber and Fermented Foods
All of these issues are signs of poor gut health.
- Digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea)
- Chronic bad breath
- Food intolerances
- Eczema
- Suppressed immunity
Whether you’re dealing with any of these symptoms or would like to keep your gut in tip-top shape, here are the best foods to keep everything working optimally.
We recommend doing some sort of cleanse before working to restore gut health. Most EvexiPEL providers are well versed in gut health and can help you come up with a sustainable plan.
Find the EvexiPEL provider nearest to you to get started.
1. Insoluble Fiber
Foods like kidney beans, fruits (especially bananas and apples), and veggies are high in insoluble fiber and can have a cleansing effect on your system. Incorporating more of these into your daily diet can help keep your system clear and your gut happy!
2. Kraut
When talking about gut health and diet, you likely hear a lot about fermented foods; that’s because they introduce healthy bacteria back into your gut that will eventually push out the unhealthy bacteria.
You can look up recipes for homemade sauerkraut for the full nutrients or check local health food stores for a jar or two.
3. Kimchi
Need a little more fire than what kraut has to offer? The Korean counterpart to kraut, kimchi, is a gut power food! Typically, kimchi is made from a fish stock base, but you can look for plant-based options as well.
4. Broccoli
Research has shown this bright green veggie to have very positive effects on intestinal health. This actually extends to the whole cruciferous family, so add in cauliflower, kale, cabbage, or even Brussels sprouts for the same effect.
5. Flaxseed
Do you like to add seeds to your smoothies, salads, or even just to snack on? Search for freshly ground flaxseed, or ground yourself, to get all the nutrients. When left whole the seeds will simply pass through your system without being digested.
6. Garlic
An especially easy spice to add to your diet! Studies have shown garlic to have preventative properties for gastrointestinal issues as well as boosting the production of good gut microbes.
Negative Eating Habits
These six foods are relatively easy to incorporate into any diet! We hope that you can find a combination that works for you in your journey to better gut health.
To ensure you’re doing the best you can for your gut health, here are few foods and eating habits you may be surprised to learn can have negative impacts on your gut health.
1. Not Eating a Diverse Range of Food
Unfortunately, if you’re a picky eater, you may want to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little more. When we don’t eat enough varying foods, our gut bacteria is limited and may not be able to recover from infection, illness, or even antibiotic use.
2. Excess Alcohol Consumption
Chronic alcohol consumption is a huge red flag for our gut health. Certain liquors, like gin, can actually kill off good bacteria that keeps our gut in good shape.
3. Lack of Exercise
Being physically active is crucial to our health in so many ways. Whether you’re going on long walks, riding a bike, hitting up the gym, or even gardening a few hours a week you need to be moving around!
4. Poor Sleep
Much like exercise, regular sleep is important for a happy gut. Our gut follows our circadian rhythm and body clock, so regular disturbances can have negative effects on your gut.
5. Unmanaged Stress
Easier said than done, but it’s worth highlighting: you must take action to reduce stress. A healthy gut requires a balance between mental and physical wellbeing. Repeated stress can alter gut bacteria and increase sensitivity. Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce stress.
We Can Help
As you work to get your gut health balanced, we hope that these tips will be helpful starting points. When you’re ready to put your wellness on the right path, find a provider that aligns with your needs and goals!
EvexiPEL providers strive to take a holistic approach to health and healing. You can find the provider nearest to you here!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
