3 Digestion Superfoods to aid nutrient absorption
Gut health and healthy digestion has been an increasingly popular topic in the nutrition world and for good reason. We can do everything we can to eat the most nutrient dense diet, but if we aren't absorbing it properly it will all be for nothing. Digestive health is crucial in looking and feeling our best. For so long I spent tons of money on supplements and superfoods only to be discouraged because I wasn't feeling any better. It wasn't until I started to pay attention to how I felt after eating that I realized I needed to focus on supporting a healthy digestive system. If you are eating healthy but still feel run down or having adverse reactions to food then it is definitely time to heal your gut. Now there are many approaches to gut health and many require working with a medical professional but there are simple tricks you can start incorporating today. These are my top three foods I include consistently to make sure my guts is assisted to working properly!
Kombucha- This is my favorite drink to incorporate a couple of times a week and is a nice change from water. Kombucha is fermented tea that contains beneficial bacteria for a healthy gut. This drink has become very popular and now offered at most local grocery stores. These come in every flavor imaginable now and you can even brew your own at home! I really like GT's brand, especially in the gingerade. I'll even mix it with flavored seltzer water or my own additions such as fruit or mint leaves. Check out what your grocery store carries but be sure to check the sugar content I stick to brands that have 5g of sugar or less per serving. Try this delicious, gut friendly, drink for yourself!
Sauerkraut- Another great fermented food option is sauerkraut. I admit that I was hesitant to eating this for a while because I was imagining a more sour tasting product. But when I ventured out and tried some brands from my local health food stores I actually really enjoyed it. It tasted fresh and the texture was crisp. I like putting a couple spoonfuls over salads or roasted veggies, eating with scrambled eggs or right out of the jar! Bubbies is a great brand that is sold in most grocery stores. Look for ones that list only cabbage and salt as the ingredients (or any other vegetable they may add). Making your own is incredibly easy and something I have done often. This is my favorite place to learn about the world of home fermenting.
Apple Cider Vinegar- ACV is a phenomenal multi-purpose product that packs digestive benefits as well. Not only can we use this powerful substance to clean, condition our hair, tone our skin, make salad dressings, and a myriad of other uses we can also use it to aid proper digestion of nutrients. A common complaint of the population today is heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, etc, which is caused my too little stomach acid. When the body is not providing sufficient stomach acid due to stress, poor diet, autoimmune conditions, it cannot break down the food that we are eating everyday. Rather than turning to our medicine cabinets, we can use something as simple as vinegar from our kitchen. A tablespoon of ACV in a cup of water before eating will help promote acid production and start the digestive function. Bragg's is my favorite brand that is can be found everywhere. Bonus: mix 1 tbsp ACV into your kombucha for an extra kick of digestive power.
These top three digestion superfoods only scratch the surface on gut health but a great place to start assisting your body. The gut is connected to everything we do - how we feel, how we sleep, skin and hair health, mental clarity, and the list goes on- and it is crucial we prioritize its function. This was a big turning point in my health journey and something that made me feel even better than just eating clean. Make sure all your efforts into eating right are paying off for your body and you are getting those well deserved nutrients!