Caring for Your Gut

Tummy troubles can cause you to avoid social situations, become fearful of foods, and even impact your mental state. It’s very difficult to be happy if your gut is unhappy. An unhappy gut may manifest as diarrhea, constipation, pain, nausea, fatigue, or some other discomfort. While there are many possible reasons for these symptoms, the food you eat can improve your chances of having a happier gut.

Adequate nutrition intake and variety are key to maintaining gut health. If you do not eat enough your body has to sacrifice comfort and turn to survival mode, which is all-around unpleasant. Furthermore, the more types of food you eat leads to a greater variety of the good bacteria in your gut. The gut bacteria is incredibly important in helping to create feel-good neurotransmitters for the brain, boosting our immune system, and helping us function our best.

Below is a list of foods that are extra helpful when it comes to making your gut happy. Remember that trying to implement a complete overhaul of your eating pattern is overwhelming, unsustainable, and can create food rules that make it difficult to have peace with food. Instead, try to honor your body’s health and if you notice any of the following nutrients are lacking in your intake consider sprinkling those foods in occasionally at meals or snacks:

Fiber: Whole grains, fruits and veggies (especially those with the skin like berries, apples, potatoes), beans, nuts and seeds

Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kombucha, pickles

Prebiotics: Garlic, onions, asparagus, apples, unripe bananas, cocoa, oats, flaxseeds Water and Fluids

Please talk to your Registered Dietitian if you have any questions about your individualized eating pattern and how to have a happier gut to lead to a happier you.