For how important it is, we don’t talk about gut health enough. Your gut health has a direct impact on your nervous system and immune system. Microbiomes in the gut can help ward off bacteria and viruses and 80% of your immune system is in your gut. Furthermore, 90% of serotonin is produced in your gut!
Here are a few ways to take care of your gut that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle:
- Sprinkle different kinds of seeds (Flax Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Hemp Hearts, etc.) while eating bread, cereal, yogurt, or even your eggs! This is a great way to increase fiber. Your colon needs plenty of fiber to work efficiently.
- Eat fruits and vegetables with their skin – don’t peel them!
- Chew your food well. As simple as this sounds, it is a very effective way to ease the pressure on your stomach.
- Try to eat a variety of plant-based foods every single day! Have at least five different colors of plants on your plate. This helps you consume a diverse range of microbiomes that are good for your gut.
- Eat fermented foods more often! They help to steadily strengthen microbiomes in your gut. Examples include Dhokla, Korean Kimchi, Miso Soup, and Probiotic Yogurt.
- Try to add dried herbs and spices to your diet whenever you can! They contain a large number of antioxidants which help preserve the lining of your gut! For example, if you are eating a bowl of pasta, a teaspoon of dried rosemary and oregano can amplify the benefits of your meal exponentially!
- Drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day. Water is proven to balance the good bacteria in the gut and help preserve the mucus lining in the intestines.
- Include foods that have omega-3 fatty acids like Salmon, Walnuts, Chia Seeds, and omega-3 enriched eggs.