Your digestive system is an incredible thing. When it’s in balance, it can help you feel your best day after day, but when it gets out of whack, it can leave you feeling sluggish, blocked up or just downright uncomfortable.
If you think your digestion has gone off course, I have some good news: You may be just a few good food choices away from getting your tract back on track.
Fermented foods – yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, miso, and pickled cucumbers.
These foods contain probiotics, which help to balance healthy bacteria in your gut and protect against harmful bacteria. Adding fermented foods to your diet can provide many health benefits and help to decrease gas and bloating (1).
Whole grains – whole wheat, oats, barley, buckwheat, brown rice, quinoa, and popcorn.
Whole grains contain prebiotics, which are the food for the healthy bacteria in your gut. High in nutrients and fiber, whole grains help to bulk the stool and prevent constipation (2).
Fruits – apples, pears, bananas, raspberries, and papayas.
Fruits are high in fiber and are packed with vitamins and minerals that aid in digestion. Eating a wide variety of fruits will encourage regular bowel habits and ease digestive symptoms.
Tea – peppermint, ginger, dandelion, fennel, and chamomile.
Drinking hot tea after a meal may relieve many digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, nausea, stomach cramps, and heartburn. Ingredients like ginger and peppermint may also help to relax muscles in the digestive system.
About Allie
Allie is a spin-class-teaching, triathlon-winning nutritionist who loves to help others. She has a master’s degree in nutrition and has published academic research on improving food access for underserved populations.
Allie is just one of Persona’s team of qualified nutritionists. Do you have questions about nutrition? Reach out. Our experts would love to help.
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.
