Your digestive system breaks down the foods you eat into the nutrients your body needs. If you neglect your digestive health, your body will run into problems absorbing those essential nutrients.
The foods you eat have a direct impact on your digestive health. Taking steps to improve your digestive health can help your digestive system function better and improve your overall health and sense of well-being. Try these things to keep everything running smoothly.
1. Eat a high-fiber diet. Consuming a diet that’s rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes can improve your digestive health, and helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, making you less likely to get constipated.Â
2. Get both insoluble and soluble fiber. Good sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. Good sources for soluble fiber include oat bran, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
3. Limit foods that are high in fat. Fatty foods tend to slow down the digestive process making you more prone to constipation, so you should pair them with high fiber foods to keep things moving.
4. Choose lean meats. Protein is an essential part of a healthful diet, so select lean cuts, such as pork loin and skinless poultry.
5. Incorporate probiotics -and prebiotics- into your diet. Probiotics can enhance nutrient absorption, break down lactose, strengthen your immune system, and even help treat IBS.
6. Eat on schedule. Consuming meals and snacks on a regular schedule can help keep your digestive system in top shape. Try to eat your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks around the same time each day.
7. Stay hydrated. Fiber pulls water into the colon to create softer, bulkier stools, allowing them to pass more easily.
8. Exercise regularly. Exercise helps keep foods moving through your system, reducing constipation. Staying active can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which is good for your digestive health.
