{"id":2423,"date":"2016-03-17T15:30:04","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T15:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=2423"},"modified":"2020-10-15T23:31:30","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T23:31:30","slug":"probiotic-foods-balance-digestion-diy-yogurt-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/probiotic-foods-balance-digestion-diy-yogurt-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Healthy Foods to Support Digestion & Gut Health"},"content":{"rendered":"Today our nutritionists are sharing the five gut-friendly nutrients and probiotic foods that help balance digestion<\/a>. To help achieve a strong and healthy digestive tract, our nutritionist also designed a DIY yogurt recipe for you to make your very own probiotic foods!\r\n

What Affects our digestion<\/h2>\r\nA number of different lifestyle, genetic, and dietary factors can dictate your digestive health. Some digestive disorders such as IBS (a common intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas<\/a>, diarrhea, and constipation) or GERD (which occurs when stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining) can deeply disrupt your digestion and body as a whole. In general though, without other issues at play, there are certain foods that can promote a rich and diverse microbiome<\/a> to benefit your body, skin, and well being.\r\n\r\nAccording to our nutritionists, there are a few steps you can take to improve digestion. As simple as it sounds, chewing slowly and thoroughly, taking smaller bites, and eating the foods below will go a long way in preventing gas, bloating<\/a>, and indigestion.\r\n\r\nNow let’s get started with the best foods for your gut!\r\n

5 Foods to Improve Digestion<\/h2>\r\nHere are five gut-friendly foods recommended by HUM’s registered dietitians<\/a> for a healthy colon.\r\n

1. Cruciferous Vegetables for Healthy Bacteria<\/h3>\r\n\"Cruciferous\r\n\r\nCruciferous vegetables are a great foundation for a healthy digestive tract. These include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and collard greens. They’re rich in fiber<\/a> and packed with healthy vitamins and minerals<\/a>.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to the gut, these fiber-packed greens<\/a> help regulate digestion and allow healthy bacteria to flourish. One study found a compound in green cruciferous veggies boosts the immune system<\/a> and activates a gene called T-bet. Researchers<\/a> in Australia found this gene lives in the gut and actually triggers the growth of healthy bacteria in the GI.\r\n\r\nAlthough cruciferous veggies have some great nutrients to feed your GI, they also contain a compound called cellulose that our bodies naturally have a tough time digesting. That’s why for some, eating raw veggies can lead to gas, bloating, or abdominal pain. If your diet doesn’t currently include many greens, or if you find these are rough on your GI, there are a few things you can do. Incorporating raw greens into your diet gradually over time, and cooking or fermenting your veggies can all be beneficial to ease their route in the digestive tract while still nourishing your colon.\r\n\r\nFor some, taking a daily digestive enzyme<\/a> that includes cellulase, an enzyme\u00a0produced naturally by intestinal bacteria to digest cellulose, can help break down the fiber in cruciferous veggies to make it easier on your GI tract.\r\n

2. Chia & Flax Seeds\u00a0for More Fiber<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\"Chia\r\n\r\nChia seeds\u00a0are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids<\/a>, minerals, and vitamins for a plethora of health benefits. For digestion, the best nutrients here will be fiber: just two tablespoons of chia seeds supply 10 grams of fiber. Flaxseeds additionally are a great source of dietary fiber, helping to increase bowel movements and prevent constipation.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to fiber, your body needs both insoluble (meaning it doesn’t dissolve in water and isn’t broken down in your GI) and soluble (which does dissolve in water). Dietary fiber is essential to healthy digestion, and it’s a nutrient many of us do not get enough of. It helps keep bowel movements regular, bulks up stools, prevents constipation, and flushes out waste. Studies<\/a> show that the way bacteria digests fiber also helps produce short-chain fatty acids that are healthy for the colon.\r\n\r\nBecause of the way it works in the body, it’s important to drink plenty of water along with fibrous foods in order flush out waste and prevent constipation. However, too much fiber can lead to loose stools, bloating, or diarrhea\u2014so ensure you’re always consuming in moderation.\r\n

3. Fruits & Vegetables for Prebiotics<\/h3>\r\n\"Fruits\r\n\r\nPrebiotics differ from probiotics<\/a> in that they contain indigestible nutrients that promote the growth and success of the healthy bacteria (hence the pre). Probiotics are those beneficial bacteria that support your digestive system, so protecting their growth and diversity is an important job! Prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically<\/a> to promote the well being of your GI and keep your body healthy.\r\n\r\nSome especially gut-friendly fruits and veggies include the prebiotics found in asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms, onions, apples, and bananas. Inulin, a nutritional component that occurs naturally in many of these fruits and veggies, is full of fiber and low in calories. The fiber in inulin is soluble, and dissolving in the stomach to slow digestion and increase fullness.\r\n

4. Fermented Vegetables<\/h3>\r\n\"Fermented\r\n\r\nWe spoke at length about the plethora of probiotic probiotic health benefits<\/a> and how to choose the best probiotic for you<\/a> in the past. Probiotics help keep your digestion stable and supports the absorption of nutrients. They also help supported a disrupted microbiome after taking antibiotics and can support everything from immunity to healthy skin or even vaginal health<\/a>.\r\n\r\nFermented foods contain lactic acid-producing bacteria, which survive the acidic digestive process into your colon. For plant-based options, look to fermented veggies for natural probiotic foods. (We have a complete guide to the best and worst probiotic foods here<\/a>.) Go for sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage\u2014but avoid the canned kind, as it’s pasteurized and the healthy bacteria is killed off. Also try kimchi\u2014a staple at any Korean BBQ\u2014a spicy fermented cabbage and rich probiotic. It’s particularly beneficial for your immune system. Kombucha, a fermented tea, is another popular probiotic.\r\n

5. Cultured Products\u00a0for Dairy-Based Probiotic Foods<\/h3>\r\n\"Dairy\r\n\r\nIn addition to fermented vegetables, cultured dairy<\/a> products such as yogurt, kefir, and cheese are probiotic foods to support digestion. Kefir\u2014a drinkable yogurt\u2014contains complex carbs that feed healthy bacteria. Greek yogurt is additionally packed with protein<\/a> to help you feel fuller, longer. Whenever buying from a supermarket, look for plain flavors with little to no added sugar.\r\n\r\nAlso, make sure live and active cultures are actually included on the label. Heat processing destroys both bad and good bacteria. Thus, the pasteurization process in yogurt will kill off the good guys unless they’re added in afterwards.\n
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DIY Yogurt Recipe to Support Healthy Digestion<\/h2>\n\t\n\t\t\t

To create your own cultured dairy at home, try this DIY recipe for yogurt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t

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PREP
15<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
COOK
360<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
SERVES
8<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t
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INGREDIENTS<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t