Be honest with me, do you ever think about your gut-health and digestion? Last month I revealed my top tips for staying heart-healthy, but in honor of National Nutrition Month, let’s talk about gut-health. I always encourage my clients to practice mindful eating that fuels the body and spirit, but there is only so much you can control when it comes to your health- especially your digestion. With the help of over 50 trillion bacteria, your gut can do its best to breakdown food and absorb the nutrients you need. I know what you might be thinking, how can bacteria actually be helpful to my health? Keep reading to uncover the truth about the relationship between nutrition and gut-health.
Just a heads up, coming up in early April, I will be launching a 30 day challenge meant to welcome a new spring season and get you on a better path of accomplishing your goals. My interns and I are so excited to start this journey with you. The dates for the challenge will be 4/25-5/24, and registration is slated to open on April 4th ! Stay tuned for more details, but first let’s circle back to gut-health!
What is gut-health and why is it important? As said previously, the human body contains a lot of bacteria. These microorganisms are not the germs that make you sick, but are actually an aid with a lot of body functions such as digestion. A lack of helpful bacteria in your gut can cause digestive issues like C. diff, and even make room for harmful bacteria to grow. In addition, there are many different types and strains of these helpful bacteria in your gut. Altogether, these bacteria make a healthy microbiome in your gut that aids in breaking down fiber and other nutrients.
Stock up on essential probiotic foods. Eating yogurt in the morning with some berries and unsweetened granola is a great way to not only get in nutrients, but also naturally occurring probiotics. Add kefir into a smoothie for a probiotic boost, or even add a splash into your oatmeal. Non-dairy probiotic foods include fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kombucha
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Incorporating foods high in fiber such as raspberries, bananas, broccoli, and chickpeas can actually help improve your gut microbiome. While your digestive system does not easily break down fiber, the bacteria in your gut do and consuming more fiber helps fuel their growth.
Do you really need a probiotic supplement? In current times, supplements are being advertised left and right. While you can get a probiotic supplement, they are not necessary for a healthy gut. A nutritious diet with a variety of plant based-high fiber foods and probiotic foods such as yogurt are sufficient at keeping a healthy gut microbiome for most individuals. However, if you are consistently taking antibiotics, it would be wise to consult your doctor or pharmacist if a probiotic supplement would be a good idea. Listen to the health professional’s recommendation! Probiotic supplements are not considered to be drugs and therefore are not FDA regulated.
Always on the run? Check out my last post regarding Nutrients On The Go here!
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
Candice Shipley, Student Nutritionist
Nutrition & Food Science – Dietetics
University of Maryland, College Park | 2023