Eating for a healthy gut should be one of your top priorities. Achieving optimal gut health is no easy feat, but the benefits are certainly worth it. Not only will you feel better overall, but having a healthy gut can also help with digestion and immunity. Here are ten items to consider adding to your shopping cart to ensure you’re getting all the nutrition that your gut needs.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir are great sources of probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep your digestive system in balance and promote overall gut health. Fermented foods contain beneficial bacteria that helps produce vitamins, break down food particles and protect us from harmful pathogens in our environment.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage usually made with green or black tea and a starter culture called SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Kombucha has been around for centuries and has numerous health benefits, including replenishing beneficial bacteria in the gut, aiding digestion, boosting energy levels and supporting detoxification systems in the body.
Oats
Oats are loaded with dietary fiber which helps maintain regular bowel movements by keeping things moving through the digestive tract. Oats also contain beta-glucan which helps boost the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine while reducing inflammation. If you’re looking for an easy way to get more whole grains into your diet, look no further than oats!
Non-Dairy Yogurts
If you’re trying to get more probiotics into your diet but don’t like fermented foods or kombucha, then non-dairy yogurts can be an excellent alternative. Many store-bought yogurts contain added sugar so opt for unsweetened Greek yogurt or try making your own at home using almond milk and a probiotic supplement. Non-dairy yogurts are not only a great source of probiotics but they can also provide plenty of protein and calcium as well!
Vegetables
Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that our bodies need on a daily basis in order to stay healthy and strong. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower contain high amounts of dietary fiber which is important for helping keep things moving through our digestive tracts properly while also feeding our good gut bacteria. Aim to fill half your plate with vegetables at each meal!
Legumes
Legumes such as beans, lentils and peas are all nutrient dense superfoods that provide us with necessary proteins and carbohydrates while also supplying us with dietary fiber which is important for maintaining regularity when it comes to our bowels movements. They’re also great sources of prebiotics which feed our good gut bacteria!
Fruits
Fruits such as apples, oranges, pears and bananas can be great sources of dietary fiber when eaten with their skins on (just make sure you wash them first!). Eating fruits can help support regularity by keeping things moving along through our digestive tracts regularly while providing us with essential vitamins like Vitamin C which helps support immunity!
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts & seeds such as almonds flaxseed chia seeds sunflower seeds are excellent sources of plant-based proteins fats omega 3 fatty acids minerals like zinc magnesium phosphorus selenium copper iron potassium manganese They’re also packed with dietary fibers which can help keep us feeling full longer while keeping our guts happy!
Eating for optimal gut health doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — there are plenty of delicious options out there that won't break the bank! Start by adding some fermented foods like kimchi or kombucha into your grocery basket along with some oats legumes fruits nuts & seeds And don't forget about those cruciferous veggies too — eating them regularly will do wonders for your overall health! With these simple additions to your shopping list each week you'll be well on your way towards achieving optimal gut health in no time at all!i
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