As the days start to grow longer, we start to think towards all of our spring and summer plans and aspirations. The anticipation of a new season can be a great motivator in getting those goals checked off that you added to your list at the beginning of the year. Preparing for the warmer months tends to include shopping for new clothes and planning out mid-year trips with loved ones.
However, the present moment also gives us a chance to prepare for the new seasons mentally and physically. Here at Bloat No More, we believe that personal confidence and health starts from within, specifically through your gut health. Let’s discuss how proactive changes to one’s routine can help make or break the seasons to come.
A Seasonal Shift: Adapting Your Diet To Complement Spring and Summer Nutrition and What This Means for Digestive Health
Nature is always offering us an innovative, fresh, and healthy way to tap into our health and realign our diet with our wellness goals. This shift is encompassed by more than just an increase of in-season produce. It requires us to think bigger. Let’s dive into the different aspects of shifting one’s wellness rituals to the seasons to come.
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First things first, seasonal produce - Spring and summer are great seasons to take advantage of an array of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many of these ingredients are also incredibly rich in gut-supporting properties such as prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber. Ingredients like asparagus and dandelion (found in the gut health enzyme supplement Sexy & Slim) are especially beneficial due to their detoxification properties that help to detoxify the body after a long winter of heavy meals.
As spring shifts into summer, consider adding other ingredients like berries and watermelon into your diet. Eating with the seasons helps to support a diversified gut microbiome which is essential in maintaining gut health. A diverse gut microbiome can be directly linked to an increase in energy, stable mood, and a happy digestive system.
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A shift in cooking methods - Each season brings us a new way to look at cooking. Spring and summer are often characterized by lighter and quicker methods in comparison to the longer, more tenuous acts of winter cooking. For the warmer months consider whipping up minimal-to-low effort dishes. Cooking-free dishes like salads are great options especially for those who are on-the-go during the summer.
Other techniques like grilling or steaming can be great ways to cook up some beloved ingredients while still staying true to the low-effort experience of spring and summer cooking. This shift in effort and action directly aligns with our digestive system’s experience. During the warmer months, your digestive tract requires less energy to act out its responsibilities meaning it is complemented best by light and easy meals.
How The Warmer Climate Affects Gut Health and How Best To Manage These Effects
As the temperature outside starts to rise, the human body will start to divert blood away from the digestive tract towards the surface of one’s skin to regulate internal body temperature. This shift in focus means less attention on the digestive process which can lead to reduced digestive efficiency. Some side effects caused by this connection include an upset stomach, constipation, or feeling sluggish (particularly after long meals in the heat).
The heat in the spring and summer months can also contribute to feelings of stress. Due to the gut-brain connection, stress can trigger or further exacerbate digestive complications meaning it is up to us to be vigilant of this connection. Consider implementing stress-reducing activities into your routine, especially for those days you know you might encounter hotter temperatures.
Your prolonged exposure to heat in the warmer months can also contribute to dehydration. Spending time in the sun can cause someone to sweat excessively and lose more moisture than they would in a temperature regulated environment. If not properly handled, this loss of moisture leads to dehydration which can cause irregular bowel movements, constipation, fatigue, and bloating. Luckily, we can target this fluid loss by increasing our water intake during the warmer seasons. Be sure to increase your electrolyte intake alongside your water intake to stay properly hydrated.
Spring and summer are often characterized by many outdoor activities including meals spent outside. Be sure to practice safe food handling while hosting or attending these events to avoid the risk of bacterial overgrowth on leftovers. However, this risk is no reason to not spend more time outside when the weather allows. Let’s dive into some of the spring and summer outdoor activities that can help boost your gut health alongside your supplement for bloating.
Outdoor Activities That Boost Gut Health in the Spring and Summer
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Gardening - Did you know that regular contact with soil microorganisms can help to boost the health of your gut? Regular, intimate contact with the ground and soil can boost your immunity levels and diversify your gut microbiome. When you are working towards nurturing a garden, you are constantly surrounded by the microorganisms, breathing in the fresh air, and connecting with nature in a very personal way. Gardening is also a great way to ensure the ingredients you consume are completely natural and without additives.
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Grilling - Grilling is a great, health conscious way to cook up your food. This is especially helpful for those looking to minimize the amount of cooking done inside which can increase the temperature inside. Grilling is a great social activity that can bring all of your loved ones together for a day outside. Push yourself to try a new way of cooking these next couple of seasons.
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Hiking - Hiking helps you get out into nature and get your body moving. Spring and summer are great seasons for getting your workout done outdoors and within nature. Take advantage of the sun and explore local trails.
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Connecting With Local Nature - Speaking of local nature, consider finding new ways to get involved with your local community this spring and summer. From joining a swimming club to taking a gardening class, the opportunities are endless!