Millions of people in the United States struggle with digestive issues — from inflammatory bowel disease to acid reflux — that can put serious limitations on their lives. Because the problems involve your digestive tract, it makes sense that what you eat has a direct impact.
At Rockwall Surgical Specialists, our team has extensive experience helping our patients overcome chronic and debilitating digestive issues through surgical solutions that provide long-lasting relief. We also believe that there’s much you can do on your own to improve your digestive health — especially as a preventive measure — and it usually starts with food.
To that end, we’ve pulled together this list of five foods that go a long way toward improving your digestive health.
Grains play a large role in the American diet, but not all grains are created equally. Grains that have been processed contain high levels of refined carbohydrates, which aren’t doing your gut any favors thanks to the sugars.
Conversely, whole grains contain beneficial fiber, which directly supports digestive health by encouraging good gut bacteria that aid in digestion. As well, whole grains contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation.
Instead of reaching for the white bread or pasta when you go shopping, look for foods that contain whole grains. Be sure that you look for the word “whole,” as many products labeled “multi-grain” are still processed.
As we noted, omega-3 fatty acids are great for fighting inflammation, which plays a role in many digestive issues, especially problems like inflammatory bowel disease.
Whole grains are a good source of omega-3s, but these foods are even better sources:
By adding more omega-3-rich foods to your diet, you can fight painful inflammation in your gut.
While all fruits have health benefits, some contain more glucose than others, and this excess sugar can aggravate your digestive tract and lead to excess gas and bloating. If you love fruit, steer clear of grapes and pears. Eat berries, citrus fruits, and bananas instead — these fruits not only help reduce gas, but they’re also great sources of fiber.
Fiber is one of the most beneficial nutrients for your digestive tract because it can’t be completely broken down. Instead, fiber passes through your intestines, cleaning them as it goes and promoting good bacteria growth.
Aside from the fruits mentioned above, other great sources of fiber include:
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a great jumping-off point for high-fiber foods.
The presence of a healthy gut biome is critical for your digestive health, which is where probiotics come in. Foods that contain probiotics encourage beneficial bacteria in your gut, which helps you better digest your food.
These foods include:
The common denominator among many of these foods is they’re fermented, which encourages the good bacteria growth.
If you’d like more tips for eating your way to better digestive health, please don’t hesitate to contact us at one of our locations in Rowlett, Rockwall, Greenville, Forney, and Terrell, Texas.
