Did you know that about 100 trillion bacteria are living in your gut? There is a very complex system living in your gut that helps protect you from outside invaders. When there is an imbalance in this bacteria, digestive conditions can occur which is why it’s so important to eat to support a healthy stomach and to practice stress management, and get enough physical activity into your day.
With a handful of lifestyle changes, you could be taking huge preventative steps for the health of your digestive system.
The digestive system is something that so many people want to learn more about because of the chronic stomach conditions many people suffer from. The digestive system houses the majority of our immune system so without a healthy gut it’s impossible to have a healthy body!
Here are some tips on keeping the digestive system healthy:
Tip #1: Enjoy Probiotic Rich Foods
The gut feeds on healthy bacteria, and you want more good bacteria than you do pathogenic bacteria. To be sure you are keeping your gut happy, focus on probiotic rich foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and yogurt. You can also supplement with a probiotic.
Tip #2: Avoid Antibiotics
While antibiotics serve a purpose when dealing with a bacterial infection, they wipe out the good bacteria with bad leaving your gut very unhappy. Try to avoid antibiotics at all costs. If you do need to take an antibiotic be sure to supplement with probiotics afterward.
Tip #3: De-Stress
Do you suffer from a “nervous stomach?” When you’re stress, the stress can kill off the good bacteria in the gut. To fight off stress try to meditate daily.
For this week’s challenge, I challenge you to incorporate these digestive supportive foods into your diet:
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Tempeh
- Miso