Tips to Improve Gut Health and Feel Your Best

Good health starts in the gut. What we eat has a huge impact on our health. From immune support to digestive health and even our general health and wellbeing, everything we put into our bodies can shape our wellness.

Eating a wide variety of fresh foods, including naturally probiotic products like yoghurt, kimchi and kombucha, and supplementing the diet with probiotic supplements, can help support healthy gut function so that you can enjoy being the healthiest version of you.

What Makes a Healthy Gut?

When the science talks about building and maintaining a healthy gut, it is referring to the balance of good and bad bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract. This is called the gut microbiome. After you eat, digestion starts, and your body breaks down the food. Then, the nutrients from this food are absorbed via the lining of a healthy gut. 

That means everything you put into your body influences this delicate balance of good and bad bacteria that live in your gut. Anything that supports the good bacteria, like fermented foods, helps to support your gut health – which affects your general health and wellbeing.

On the other hand, unhealthy foods that feed the bad bacteria can cause an imbalance of bacteria in your microbiome. To learn more about what might be upsetting your gut microbiome, read our article "Common Lifestyle Choices Throwing Off Good Intestinal Flora."

Support Your Gut Health with Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms, known as ‘good bacteria’. If you’re thinking about how to support your immune and digestive system, supplementing your probiotic intake may be a good idea. 

There are many different strains of good bacteria which you'll find when choosing a probiotic supplement. Talking to a healthcare professional can be helpful in deciding which strains are the best probiotics for different facets of gut health.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Best Supplements for Your Gut 

Depending on which strains of probiotics you take, whether your goal is to support healthy digestion or relieve abdominal bloating, you can choose a probiotic right for you. Interested in what causes bloating? Read our article "What Causes Gas and Bloating" to find out more.

Best Foods to Support Gut Health

There are many foods that help to build good gut flora naturally, including fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, legumes and oats. Adding these foods daily can help you support your gut health. 

Another well-known and versatile gut-friendly food is yoghurt. Packed with naturally occurring probiotics, it’s easy to include in your regime. You can enjoy it for breakfast topped with fresh fruit, include it as a snack on those days where you're still hungry after lunch, or dollop it onto a curry as an alternative to sour cream.

Another powerhouse of the gut-friendly foods is fermented vegetables, such as kimchi and sauerkraut. These make tasty side dishes to main meals or topped onto salads. 

Clever Gut Health Hacks

Life is busy. Without preparing ahead of time, it’s easy to make unhealthy choices. Try incorporating these three gut health hacks to help:

• Plan your snacks ahead of time. Preparing chopped veggie sticks, like carrots and capsicum on a Sunday night before a busy week can make a huge difference.

• Make a big batch of soup for the week and store it in your freezer. On the days you’re about to hit the button on a last-minute takeaway, you’ll have a bowl of goodness ready to defrost instead.

• Swap refined ingredients for natural ingredients in your cooking. For example, use yoghurt instead of milk in meals and swap sugar for honey. Whether it’s a baked good or a meal, small changes make a big difference to your gut health.

Good Gut, Good Health

Using these tips and tricks will support you to reach your gut health goals and get you on track towards a healthier lifestyle. It’s as simple as combining daily gut-friendly foods and the right probiotic supplements.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.