Your gut is like a garden and is dependent on a proper balance of nutrients to flourish.
We know all of the critters and little organisms in our bodies have big jobs to do. A diverse but balanced microbiome helps to increase energy, strengthen our immune system, enhance brain function, and regulate healthy digestion. Who doesn’t want a colony of rock star bacteria?! The more important question is: how do we support them?
Focusing on having the following 3 things in our nutrition game will encourage a diverse micro flora AND continuously feed the good guys:
- FIBER: We’re in a culture that has become a bit carb-phobic BUT complex carbohydrates provide loooooads of good fiber, which directly feeds our good gut bacteria. Fiber allows our belly critters to create short-chain fatty acids that are involved in intestinal integrity, providing energy to our intestinal cells, reducing inflammation, and regulating intestinal motility. Sound important? Well, they are. Here’s where you can get lots of fiber – legumes, cruciferous vegetables, oats, celery, artichoke, avocado, garlic, onion, beans, nuts + seeds.
- FERMENTED FOODS: Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kombucha, Pickled veggies, Kefir, Yogurt already have a ton of good bacteria comingling and these can help populate our gut flora while also benefiting the integrity of our intestinal lining.
- AVOID EXCESSIVE SUGAR: Processed foods and sugar are known to disrupt the symbiosis in our gut. They particularly feed the unfavorable organisms, which can trigger an inflammatory cascade not only within the gut but systemically too! Focusing on whole grains and modest use of natural sweeteners will help keep our bacteria in check.
