#100 TRENDING IN Food 🔥

Tummy Hurts? 7 Gut-Friendly Foods to Help You Feel Your Best

Food

June 27, 2024

What if I told you that the phrase “trust your gut” is quite literal? And you probably want to know how eating foods that are good for your gut will make you feel better. This article contains all the answers as we examine the fascinating relationships between the digestive system and the brain and the foods you can eat to support your gut's wellness.

Let us slide into your dms 🥰

Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)

The Connection

The main character here is your gut microbiome. It is a collection of microbes(mostly bacteria), good and bad that are present throughout your entire digestive system. Believe it or not, these tiny things have a huge impact on you.

Chemicals called neurotransmitters are produced by your microbiome which influence the processes going on in your body as well as your mind. The key is to balance the ratio of the good and bad bacteria. Now I'm sure you can make the connection. A healthy microbiome equals a healthy gut and a healthy gut equals a healthy body and mind.

Everyone's microbiome is different, so there's no one-size-fits-all all answer. But here are some foods that can help your gut help you.

Take the Quiz: Which Summer Berry Dessert Should You Bake Next?

Discover what berry dessert you should bake!

Yoghurt

Packed with probiotics, calcium, and proteins, yoghurt is a gut superfood. You'll see many types in the supermarket: low-fat, non-fat, flavored, Greek, and so on. Flavored yoghurts, though tasty, contain more sugar, so you can choose according to your preferences. Add yoghurt to fruit bowls, granola, and even smoothies for a boost of taste, texture, and good bacteria!

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Whole Grains

Whole grains like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat are full of fiber. Fiber helps feed good gut bacteria and regulate bowel movements, promoting better digestive and overall health.

Try swapping out refined pasta and tortillas for whole-wheat ones instead. You can even snack on whole grain crackers with some hummus and oatmeal instead of processed cereal.

Photo by Harish P on Pexels

Nuts and Seeds

The next time you're about to snack on a bag of chips, eat a healthy mix of nuts and seeds instead. They contain a dream trio of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and fiber which are much better than the trans fats and cholesterol in chips.

You can make a yummy trail mix with almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios plus some berries and dark chocolate chunks to add a little twist.

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

Fresh Fruits

Fruits are one of the best things you can eat to keep your whole body healthy. Fruits like apples, pomegranates, avocados, berries, and bananas don't just have good amounts of fiber but also contain vitamins and minerals to support your well-being. Seasonal fruits help increase diversity in your gut microbiome.

You can add them to your smoothies, have fruit bowls as a snack, or drink fresh juices. They taste great and will work wonders for your body!

Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels

Veggies

Our parents were right the whole time: eat your vegetables! They're full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Now, this doesn't mean vegetables have to be boring.

They can be good for you and tasty at the same time! You can make salad bowls, soups, wraps, and stir-fries with seasonal vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and leafy greens. Try to add these to your daily diet and include as much variety as possible.

Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash

Legumes

Full of fiber, and antioxidants, legumes are great for your gut. They feed your good gut bacteria and diversify your microbiome. They're also a great natural source of protein to keep your body strong and repair damaged tissue.

Some examples of legumes are chickpeas, lentils, and many types of beans. They go great in soups, curries, and stews. Hummus with some veggies is also a great snack that's tasty and healthy.

Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash

Water

Stay hydrated, friend. Every cell in your body is 70% water, so you shouldn't be dehydrated at the cellular level. Water flushes out your toxins, helps regulate your bowel movements, maintains a diverse microbiome, and improves digestion.

Keep a bottle nearby and keep sipping water throughout the day. If you want to make it interesting you can add some lemon and mint to your water. Your body is going to thank you very soon!

Photo by Fernando Andrade on Unsplash

The Big Picture

Now that you know about your gut microbiome and how to keep it healthy, go ahead and take on the world! Listening to and taking care of your body equips you to feel your best and in turn, you'll be doing your best at everything that's thrown at you. It's okay to eat a little junk once in a while.

After all, we're not superhuman. The key is finding balance.

Kausalya Koushik
1,000+ pageviews

Writer since Jan, 2024 · 7 published articles

Kausalya is a high school student with a flair for language. She spends her free time playing basketball, listening to music, reading and spending time with friends.

Want to submit your own writing? Apply to be a writer for The Teen Magazine here!
Comment