In todayâs video, Iâm sharing my favorite digestion tips to make sure you feel good (especially after a meal), feel less bloated or sluggish, and get the most out of your digestion. Youâll also discover how your daily habits may be compromising your nutrition intake.
Like all aspects of your body, improving your digestive health requires focusing on more than just your diet. By focusing on the Four Cornerstones of True Beauty: Body, Food, Emotional Well-Being, and Spiritual Growth, we can take steps to improve both your digestive process and overall health!
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We all know our digestive systemâs role in absorbing nutrients and the importance of a well-rounded diet. But today, I want to talk about how your personal choices can affect your digestion and what you can do to make sure youâre getting the most out of your nutrients so you can feel lively and vibrant every day!
People always say, âyou are what you eat,â but as we know, thatâs not true! You are what you digest. If you canât digest properly, you arenât absorbing the vital nutrients your body needs to keep you healthy and happy.
If you want your nutrition to shape your life goals, you need to make sure you are getting everything you can out of it!
When your digestion isnât up to speed, you can feel it. You might feel anxious, sluggish, and even grumpy.
When digestion is stagnant, your body starts to accumulate toxins as it fails to properly break down the foods you eat. There can actually be a few reasons for this you may not expect.
Obviously, diet is a major factor in your overall health, but a prolonged diet of heavy foods will weaken digestion over time.
A lifetime of fried foods and artificial sugar can leave you with bloating, diarrhea, and long-term digestive issues.
The nutrients you put into your body arenât just important for fuel but to help facilitate the process as a whole. Eating a diverse plant-forward diet helps you get the nutrients your body needs, and keeps things moving along nicely.
Eating simpler, fresh meals helps you digest and keep your body active! A diet high in fruit, grain, and vegetables can do wonders.
I know it sounds strange to think your mental state can have such an impact on your digestive health, but stress can wreak havoc on your digestion.
The feeling of stress gives off a signal for your body to take action. This tension signals your sympathetic nervous system and limits the circulation through your GI tract as your body goes into âflight or flightâ mode.
Your body simply prioritizes other functions as a reaction to stress.
To work on this, mindful eating can be crucial!
If you slow down a little bit and give yourself time to relax, your digestive system will thank you!
I recommend meditating every morning as a way to ground yourself and relax your body at the beginning of each day.
Mediation will leave you feeling calmer and less reactive, helping your digestive process along the way.
Fiber is a phenomenal tool for your bodyâs digestive system, but 95% of Americans arenât getting enough fiber in their diet. Because fiber is found exclusively in plants, make sure you are getting enough fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
Your body uses fiber to speed up your digestive system and absorb excess water, assisting you in getting the nutrients you need.
When your body is able to absorb more nutrients, youâll feel fuller for longer. So not only does a high-fiber diet prevent constipation and bloating by keeping your colon clean, it also works to prevent overeating and hunger in-between meals!
Be sure to check out my interview with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on boosting your gut health and the importance of fiber as well!
Whether itâs morning yoga or an evening jog, exercising increases blood flow to the muscles in your digestive system. Movement increases blood flow, which makes your digestion more efficient and faster. An easy digestion tip to follow after eating a meal is to take a brisk 5-minute walk. Studies show it helps significantly reduce blood sugar levels and enhances digestion.
Water helps foods break down and dissolves nutrients so your body can absorb them more effectively. A glass of water and a brief walk after you eat will help your digestion get a headstart!
I take digestive enzyme supplements before lunch and dinner every day to improve my nutrient intake. Important digestion tip when taking enzymes: be sure to take your supplements 10 to 20 minutes before eating so theyâre able to do their job as effectively as possible.
Probiotics can also be a lifesaver for your digestive system.
Probiotics donât just fight off harmful bacteria in your gut but promote better absorption of vital nutrients.
Probiotics are live bacteria, so itâs important to stick to soil-based probiotics that can survive the journey to your gut. Soil-based probiotics are heartier than traditional probiotics and have a tougher outer shell that helps them survive in your intestinal tract.
Remember, digestive health goes beyond the gut and can have an impact on your overall well-being!
Your digestive system includes vital organs and trillions of microorganisms that require the same care and attention that you give the rest of your body. Follow my easy-to-follow digestion tips and with the right soil-based supplements, exercise, and a healthy diet, you can keep your digestion moving along and feel beautiful from the inside out!
In love and health,
