Why is Digestive Health so Important?
Healthy Digestive Systems: The Second Brain
The digestive system is where vitamins, nutrients and minerals are absorbed.Factors such as stress, lack of sleep, antibiotics, illness, aging and poor diet choices can often lead to an imbalance of the bacteria in your digestive tract. Maintaining a a healthy digestive system any time of year can be quite challenging, especially during the holiday season with typical eating patterns. Consuming an abundance of rich and indulgent foods compromises our digestive health by flooding our bodies with large amounts of fat and sugar. High fat holiday foods not only stay in the digestive system longer, but also cause more stomach acid to be produced, which can lead to gastric reflux and other issues.
Processed holiday foods (ie.instant mashed potatoes, canned gravy and cranberry sauce, breads, cookies etc.) maybe challenging for your digestive system: avoid these and your stomach will thank you. It is always helpful to include cruciferous vegetables when possible. I often notice that green vegetables are either missing or are a minor part of most holiday meals. So think outside the “American diet” box and use fresh green beans, fresh greens, anything green and fresh! (organic if possible.)
Healthy digestion cannot exist without water. Adequate hydration provides the digestive system with the appropriate amount of moisture needed for proper functioning. Sometimes our body mistakes hunger for thirst, so stay hydrated to prevent unnecessary overeating, and drink at least 8 oz. before your meals.
- Probiotics and digestive enzymes are a healthy addition to any diet any time of year.
- Raw Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dry curdcottage cheese ( contains more probiotics)
- Ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae, seaweed (like Kombu)
- Kefer (Sour beverage made from fermented milk, originated from Turkey)
- Kim Chi (Spicy, pungent fermented cabbage, a typical and popular Korean dish)
- Sauerkraut (Finely shredded cabbage fermented in brine, buy no sodium benzoate)
- Tempeh (Indonesian food made from fermented whole soy beans)
- Yogurt (organic, no sugars)
- Probiotic food supplements in the form of pills, powders, capsules and drinks
- Unpasteurized pickles, fro example, pickled beets, carrots or other vegetables, pickles and olives(farmers market is good source)
- Miso (A fermented soybean paste or paste made from grains like rice, barley etc.) used as a sauce, soup base or spread: can be added to soups, gravy’s etc.)
Tips to help strengthen your digestion:
• Eat some raw and some cooked foods daily.
• Eat small meals often.
• Limit cold foods and cold drinks, and try to limit liquid during your meal (dilutes digestive enzymes.)
• Limit dairy and meat.
• Avoid eating proteins and grains and/or starchy vegetables in the
same meal.
• Avoid bread and pasta.
• Eat fermented foods and drink probiotic beverages.
• Use digestive enzymes.
• Use ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric.
I use and recommend Coconut water kefir, digestive enzymes,
and Vitality Green Food! Please visit the Products tab on my
website and click on the Body Ecology banner to order.
