Digestive health is essential for maintaining good overall health. It’s not just about what you put in your mouth, but also your lifestyle habits that can have a significant impact on your digestive health. For example, do you have a stressful job that leaves you feeling worn out and tired all the time? If so, that could be affecting your digestion. Or maybe you eat a lot of fried or processed foods that damage your gut’s protective lining and interfere with proper digestion.
How Can I Improve my Digestion?
There are many habits that can lead to poor digestion: skipping breakfast, not drinking enough water, eating too fast, or not eating enough fiber or fermented foods. A healthy diet high in fiber and protein, a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and regular deep breathing exercises can all help improve your digestive health.
Eat breakfast
It might sound like common sense, but many people don’t eat a breakfast that will keep them full until lunchtime. When you skip breakfast, you’re likely to end up eating more later on in the day. That can make you feel hungrier, and it can also affect your digestion. Eating breakfast is not just about calories; it’s about the nutrients your body needs for proper digestion. Breakfast foods that will fill you up and keep you satisfied all morning include whole grains, oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, and fruit. Don’t forget to include a healthy protein source in your breakfast, such as a piece of whole grain toast with peanut butter or a bowl of oatmeal with nuts. A healthy breakfast will keep you from reaching for fast food or other convenience foods later in the day.
Move your body
Physical activity is important for everyone, but especially those with a busy lifestyle who don’t have time to exercise. Exercising regularly can help improve your digestion, reduce your risk for certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and even help you lose weight. Exercising can also help reduce anxiety and stress, which are two of the biggest digestive-related killers. If you’re new to exercise, start slowly and ease into your routine. If you typically work out at the gym, try to swap that for a more home-based exercise program — like yoga, a walking routine, or a dance routine. Exercising is also great for your mental health — it can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Try a probiotic supplement
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are found naturally in foods like yogurt, kefir, and pickles. They can help support digestion by keeping harmful bacteria in your gut in check. You can purchase a probiotic supplement at any health food store or online. Choose a high-quality supplement that contains at least a billion of active cultures, or more. Choose a brand that you trust, and remember to follow the directions on the label, as taking the wrong type of supplement may actually harm your gut bacteria. You may want to consider taking a probiotic supplement if you’re suffering from bloating or other digestive issues. You may also want to consider taking a probiotic supplement if you have IBS, or you’re going through a rough patch with your digestion.
Try fiber
Foods high in fiber can help move food through your digestive tract more quickly and help keep your digestive system healthy. There are many ways to increase the amount of fiber in your diet, including by eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, and incorporating whole grains into your meals. You can also add fiber to your diet by taking a fiber supplement. Fiber supplements can be a great way to boost your fiber intake if you’re not getting enough fiber from regular meals. You can also try eating more beans, legumes, or lentils. Eating more fiber can help reduce bloating and improve digestion.
Conclusion
Digestive health is essential for maintaining good overall health. It’s not just about what you put in your mouth, but also your lifestyle habits that can have a significant impact on your digestive health. For example, do you have a stressful job that leaves you feeling worn out and tired all the time? If so, that could be affecting your digestion. Or maybe you eat a lot of fried or processed foods that damage your gut’s protective lining and interfere with proper digestion. There are many habits that can lead to poor digestion: skipping breakfast, not drinking enough water, eating too fast, or not eating enough fiber or fermented foods. A healthy diet high in fiber and protein, a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and regular deep breathing exercises can all help improve your digestive health.
