Your Guide to a Healthier Gut!

Why Gut Health Matters

The gut is our first line of defense in the human body. It helps protect our body from harmful bacteria, but we also need “healthy bacteria” to balance our gut microbiome. A healthy gut makes for better digestion to help break down food and absorb all the good nutrients in the whole food we eat, which means less bloating. It’s crucial for immunity because most of our immune system is in our gut and when our gut is firing on all cylinders, we are less likely to get sick! What we put in our bodies matters. Chances are if your skin is breaking out, your gut is in trouble. A healthy gut leads to a healthy life. Always remember, you are what you eat!

Factors Affecting Gut Health

• Poor Diet: A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can negatively impact gut health. So many people compromise their health for the cheapest solution when it comes to food. Don’t cut corners when it comes to your health!

• Antibiotics: While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, they can also kill off “healthy bacteria”.

• Stress: This can impact our gut and cause inflammation.

Tips for Improving Gut Health

Aim for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to nourish a diverse gut microbiome. Experiment with different foods to see what gives YOU the best results because not everyone responds to things the same!

Fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria and promotes regular bowel movements. Include foods like oats, lentils, and apples or even fiber powder in your smoothie.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help restore balance to your gut microbiome. Consider taking a probiotic supplement or consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, especially after using an antibiotic that kills off all the good and bad gut bacteria.

Hydration is essential for flushing everything out and aiding in digestion.

Physical activity as simple as just walking can help your digestion and food breakdown in the body.

It’s crucial to read labels of what you're putting in your body! There’s a lot of fillers in products that can negatively affect our gut.

Avoid food/drinks that might upset your gut.