Are you the victim of a sensitive stomach? Guts are delicate and can be set off by everything from our food to environmental chemicals.
Despite your best efforts, you’ll encounter hundreds of nasties a day; toxins are in everything from kitchen spray to the air you breathe. The good news is that your body has defence mechanisms to keep them at bay.
So, what can we do to help our bodies flush out toxins? Like any well-oiled machine, your digestion needs support to keep things in good working order:
Support natural detoxification
Your body does many things to help manage environmental toxins, with your metabolic pathways working hard to rid you of them. These pathways keep toxins from creating chaos for your overall health.
That’s where superfoods shine, as they can help your digestive system with a lot of the heavy lifting around natural detoxing. Choose foods that bind to toxins in your gut (chelate), like barley and wheat grass, garlic and cilantro.
Round out your plate with foods that help to rid your body of toxins (detoxification), like broccoli, lemons, ginger and green peas. These foods help your body identify how, why and what to do with potential toxins. A happy gut is all about working smarter, not harder!
Eat nutrient-dense foods
Most of us eat commercial fruits and vegetables simply because it’s easy. You won’t pay these costs upfront, but you might feel them in your body. From harvesting to storage, much of the nutritional value is lost before the produce even makes it onto your plate. By aiming for natural foods that are locally grown and in-season, you’re giving yourself the upper hand when it comes to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Your better digestion shopping list should revolve around plants. On your next grocery run, hunt down powerful foods packed with nutrients, like boysenberries, blackberries, kale, and carrots.
Prioritise probiotics and prebiotics
The gut is more powerful than you think. Its bacteria, both good and bad, can have a real effect on our digestive health. Our gut microbiome is impacted by our food choices, so lean into real whole foods, probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented snacks (we’re looking at you, yoghurt and kimchi!).
Eat local
As a rule of thumb, it’s usually ideal to eat foods that are grown locally and organically. There are so many positives, from less handling of your food right through to lower road mileage.
By shopping with organic farmers, you’re putting fresher foods on your plate. Your body will reap the benefits, as organic foods are grown in soil that is naturally higher in nutrients. You’ll also be avoiding the harmful pesticides often used in conventional commercial farming and helping someone in your backyard- a win-win!
Try to stress less
Have you ever noticed that you often have digestive issues during stressful times? That’s because stress hormones can directly affect your digestion. When your body is in fight-or-flight mode, it puts all of its energy into keeping you safe and leaves your digestive system to fend for itself.
There are lots of tools that can help put you at ease, such as meditation, fitness, or art. Your mind and body are intrinsically linked, so a calm mind often leads to a calm gut.
Stay physical
Keep things moving inside and outside your body! Staying active helps things move smoothly throughout your digestive system. A simple stroll can ease bloating and fullness, helping keep your gut health in top shape. Head for a walk to manage that ‘stuffed’ feeling after your next big meal.
Drink lots of water
Hydration is an underrated part of digestive health. No one likes being constipated; when dehydrated, your large intestine can’t absorb the water needed to keep waste moving through your body. So it simply sits there, making you uncomfortable and reabsorbing into the bloodstream. Start with six glasses of water daily and adjust your intake to what feels right for you.
Up your fibre
Fibre is an important part of good digestion. There are two types: Soluble fibre absorbs water and helps with binding to toxins (chelate), which, as we mentioned earlier, is important for keeping toxins at bay. Insoluble fibre acts like a giant toothbrush, making sure nothing is stuck in your digestive tract and everything can keep moving.
For a fibre-focused shop, look for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans. To make the most of their nutrients, keep a glass of water handy!
Your gut health journey is lifelong, so start small and build tummy-friendly habits. Make changes that are sustainable, peaceful and most of all delicious. Your gut will thank you for it!
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