Fermented foods for gut health
“All diseases begin in the gut” Hippocrates
Fermented foods for gut health… So now you are all experts on the importance of Gut health and what not to do, this time we will look at how you can optimise your gut microbiota and improve you general health as a whole.
Ditch the high sugar, refined and processed foods.
Why? Sugar feeds bad bacteria and can lead to imbalances in both pathogenic bacteria and yeast.
This includes: Chocolate, biscuits, cakes, white bread, white pasta and white rice. Packaged and processed foods. Soft drinks – both diet and non-diet versions, fruit juice. Watch breakfast cereals, muesli bars, packaged sauces and reduced fat yoghurt.
Replace with:-
Wholegrains – brown bread, wholemeal or spelt pasta, brown rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, Wholegrain rolled oats, Whole fruit – 2 x pieces of whole fruit every day.
Why? These foods contain fibre which promotes satiety, energy, digestive motility, food for good bacteria, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
Increase vegetables in diet
Why? Green leafy vegetables provide food for good bacteria. Brassica vegetables contain sulfur-containing metabolites, known as glucosinolates, which are broken down by microbes to release substances that reduce inflammation and the risk of colon, liver, and stomach cancer. Overall vegetables are high in fibre and essential micronutrients to promote not just digestive health but also overall health
Add some fermented food into your diet
Consider fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kefir, kombucha, yoghurt and pickles. Don’t overdo it – if drinking a fermented drink – just 1 glass a day. Buy organic Miso and soy products
Why? Fermented foods are probiotics which directly inoculate your gut with healthy live micro-organisms that will crowd out the unhealthy bacteria, improve the absorption of minerals, and improve overall health.
Next Time I will cover natural digestive aids instead of over the counter remedies that can cause more harm than good. If you have any questions, please contact me anytime: alison@balanceosteopathy.com
Written by Nutritional practitioner Alison Wright – available for consults at Balance Osteopathy.
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