It comes to no surprise that the food we consume greatly impacts our digestive health. Our bodies need food to feel energized, stable, and strong. Due to the wide variety of options, choosing which meals to consume can start to feel incredibly overwhelming. How do you know what meals are helping rather than hurting your digestion? Well, there are certain key ingredients that can help boost the digestive health of your recipes and food choices. In this blog, we dive into which ingredients you should consider adding to your grocery list and narrowing down which popular food options are worth the digestive support!
Popular Meals That Are Known To Be Beneficial For Digestive Health
Before we dive into some of the beneficial meals you could add to your meal plan, it is important to note that everyone’s body is different and what might work for most might not work for all. Be sure to take note of your own body’s reactions to the foods you are consuming to best navigate what works for your health.
That being said, here are some commonly known meals that could benefit your gut health!
- Sushi - Sushi is a refreshing and relatively light meal option. Sushi usually consists of raw fish and rice making it a very basic yet delicious meal choice. The omega-3 fatty acids found in the fish make it a great anti-inflammatory option. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help alleviate symptoms of certain autoimmune disorders and maintain a person’s blood pressure. The acetic acid found in rice wine vinegar gives a certain advantage to the sushi rice. Acetic acid helps to increase stomach acid production and can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut which can be protected by a supplement for bloating such as Probiotic Renu.
- Pho - Pho is a Vietnamese food dish that is known to consist of rice noodles, vegetables, broth, herbs, and potentially meat of some kind. This is a great light meal option for those looking to not put too much pressure on their stomach. The broth tends to be a nutrient powerhouse making pho a general great option for your overall health, but especially your digestive health. The vegetables and rice noodles offer fiber which can help to bulk up stool and promote healthy bowel movements.
- Masala Curry - Curry refers to a dish that is created with a sauce and spices and is mainly connected to South Asian cuisine. Masala curry, in specific, is a wonderful choice for those looking to give their digestion a bigger boost of support. The spices found in masala curry such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric are known for their ability to boost immunity and get your digestion up and running. This can be an especially helpful meal for those who are struggling with constipation.
These are just three of many popular meals that are beneficial to your digestive health. Taking care of one’s digestive health does not need to be restrictive or limiting to your diet. It is just understanding what works best!
Popular Meal Choices That Could Be Harming Your Digestive Health
When it comes to potentially damaging meals, it is more the ingredients than the specific meal. Here are some key ingredients that tend to cause more harm than good.
- Processed sugars - An excessive amount of processed sugars can start to deteriorate your gut lining making it easier for harmful bacteria to invade. Your gut lining strength is crucial to avoid experiencing digestive complications, but sugar will start to make this complicated. The excess sugar that your body cannot handle will start to ferment in the bowels and will start to feed the bad bacteria which can cause a build-up of gas. Gas can cause bloating, indigestion, and pain.
- Junk Food - Junk food contains little to no nutritional value which will cause an imbalance in your gut. Your gut needs a variety of different nutrients to feel strong and junk food will only lead to its starvation. While it will not be incredibly harmful to indulge in junk food from time to time, be sure to avoid it in excessive amounts.
- Fried foods - Fried chicken and french fries are two incredibly popular food options nowadays and despite them being incredibly tasty, the fried aspects of these foods can cause you to feel unwell. The excessive amount of oil and fat that is needed to obtain the crunchy outer exterior to these foods can lead to heartburn and stomach pain.
These are some popular food options that we tend to indulge in as a society, but that can be causing us more harm than good. Next time you choose to indulge in some of these ingredients, take note of how your body reacts.
Key Ingredients That Help to Boost Your Digestive Health
Here are some key ingredients you can add to your at-home meals to boost your digestion!
- Low-fructose fruit - For those who are looking for that sugary kick without the added stress of digestive pain, low-fructose fruit is for you! Low-fructose fruit helps to curb that sweet craving while being easy on your digestive tract. Berries, oranges, and grapefruit are all examples of low-fructose fruit. Bananas are another great option especially due to its fiber content.
- Whole grains - White bread and pasta are considered refined carbohydrates whereas brown rice and whole-wheat bread are considered whole grains. Whole grains in comparison to refined carbohydrates provide more fiber and nutrients than its counterpart. While some choose to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet altogether, incorporating whole grains instead might be more beneficial due to the increase of fiber in your diet.
- Avocado - Avocado does more than just do a creamy factor to your meals. It contains a wide variety of nutrients and can be a great source of healthy fats.
While it can feel overwhelming to pick meals that would be beneficial to one’s health, it truly just requires understanding the ingredients that make or break a meal. We hope we have inspired you in the kitchen and that you continue to get digestive support beyond a supplement that helps with bloating!