So many people are unaware that “gut health” is essential for overall health and wellness. A healthy gut is the foundation for wellness. More than just a “flexible pipe” that carries and disposes of waste, the gut is the garden bed of an estimated 40 trillion bacterial cells – your microbiome – that helps to digest our food properly, fight disease, and remain balanced and healthy. Approximately 70% of our immune system is in our gut. Nutrients from food can’t reach our cells if they aren’t absorbed and dispensed properly. We all have over 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in our digestive tract. Add foods that feed the good bugs (probiotics) and avoid the foods and medicines that kill or inhibit a healthy microbiome.

We all have over 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in our digestive tract. So before you purge, try looking for ways to add foods that will feed the good bugs. If you let them, the good will outshine the bad!

Many gut issues are caused by inflammation, and one of the best ways to stop inflammation is to eat a regular diet of anti-inflammatory foods. Examples are:

• Tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards
• Nuts
• Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel
• Fruits such as blueberries, cherries, oranges, and strawberries
• Stay hydrated with plenty of water, don’t overdo the alcohol, and eat foods high in fiber. Examples are:
• Whole-grain products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Beans
• Peas
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Oats
• Potatoes
• Barley

Add fermented foods like pickles, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and miso to supercharge your gut health, and add probiotic foods like yogurt from active cultures and cheese.

On the other side of the spectrum, you should AVOID foods that cause inflammation, such as processed sugar, processed food, fast food, highly processed vegetable oils, and fast foods. It is best to stick to whole foods, whole grains, unpackaged, and non-processed foods with minimal additives for the highest level of health.

Make sure you move. Exercise and movement keep everything flowing properly in our guts and are so important for gut health.

With a healthy gut, losing weight, maintaining weight, and living a healthier life are within your reach!