An occasional stomachache is an unavoidable and perfectly normal part of life. However, if you have symptoms such as frequent upset stomach, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea, your digestive health needs some attention.
Instead of accepting constant discomfort as the norm, consider using the following tips for improving your digestive health – you’ll thank yourself when you feel better than ever before!
1. Eat Whole Foods
The best thing you can do for your digestive health is to eat whole foods. This means shopping the perimeter of the store fruits, vegetables, and lean meats – all of which have no ingredients list!
When shopping the aisles, read the nutrition information. Look for options with the least ingredients. For example, if you’re buying peanut butter, you want the one that contains one ingredient – peanuts.
2. Add Gut Healthy Nutrients To Your Diet
When you’re looking for foods to add to your shopping list, be sure to include foods that contain probiotics, glutamine, and zinc. You can also add digestive health supplements such as tudca to your cart.
Probiotics are especially important for gut health, as they’re actually beneficial bacteria that fight against bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. These can be found in yogurt with active cultures as well as in sauerkraut, kimchi, and supplement form.
3. Increase Your Fiber Intake
One of the best supplements for digestive health you can take is fiber. You want to include both soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet, as they provide different benefits. Soluble fiber helps add bulk to your stool, while insoluble fiber helps to clean out your digestive tract.
Now, digestive health supplements are a great tool, but remember that it’s always best to get nutrients from your diet. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and bran.
4. Drink More Water
Hydration is a critical, but often overlooked, part of health. We get so busy in our day-to-day lives that it’s easy to forget to drink water regularly. But when you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!
Aim for 2 to 3 liters of water a day, drinking more if you exercise or sweat throughout the day. If you’re not a fan of plain water, you can flavor it with fruits and vegetables or drink non-caffeinated tea for digestive health. Staying hydrated is the key to avoiding and relieving constipation, so drink up!
5. Prioritize Mental Health
Sometimes, our digestive health issues aren’t caused by diet and lifestyle but poor mental health. Anxiety and stress can do a number on your mental and physical health and are common causes of digestive problems.
If you find yourself dealing with stress and anxiety often, it’s time to pick up some relaxation exercises. These should be personalized to you and your interests but can include things like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
Take Care of Your Digestive Health to Feel Your Best
Good digestive health is crucial for your overall wellbeing. You might be surprised by how much better you feel once you start to focus on it!
As you can see, it doesn’t take anything complicated. Taking small steps to improve your diet and lifestyle is all you have to do to start feeling your best.
For more tips on improving all aspects of your health, take a look at our blog!
