In case you missed it!
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Digestive Health talk last Thursday night! It was great to look out on a full house of attendees eager to learn how they can better support their digestive health through diet. In case you missed it, here are some of the key points we covered and some of my favourite Ralph’s products that boost digestive function.
 
Like the rest of you, your digestive system is unique. Just because two people have the same symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean they have the same underlying issue, and they may have other factors affecting their health. It’s always best to consult a professional for a full assessment to ensure there are no other issues to be addressed/explored and that the treatment you receive is the best one for you. Even vitamins and minerals must be dosed accurately and individually. So please regard the information below as educational rather than prescriptive.
 
Here are my Top 5 Tips for Improving Digestion:
Eat a nutrient-dense varied whole food diet (limit processed foods)
Prepare your own food as often as possible (this helps you to know what you’re eating, and even helps to get the digestive juices flowing) and set aside time so you can sit down to your meals (this puts your body into a “rest and digest” state that supports digestion)
Do what you can to encourage daily bowel movements – adequate hydration, daily movement/exercise, daily fiber, include bitter foods in your diet
Pay attention to your body – how does it react to different foods / food groups?
Consider probiotics (note: most people do well on probiotics, but select conditions will be made worse with probiotics)
 
Some of my favourite foods for digestion include:
Produce: eat a variety of vegetables and some fruits, aiming to include many different colours and textures – vegetables and fruits are naturally high in a variety of vitamins and minerals, not to mention fiber
A few to consider mixing into this week’s meals: leafy greens (kale, spinach, arugula), squash (butternut, spaghetti, zucchini), cauliflower, yams, artichoke, avocado
Chia seeds and flax seeds (freshly ground) – these are great sources of soluble fiber that help stimulate regular bowel movements and support toxin elimination from the body
I like to include these in my daily green smoothie
Bone Broth – whether homemade or store-bought this nutrient and collagen rich food helps heal inflamed or damaged intestinal cells
The Pure Frozen Bone Broth is organically sourced and conveniently ready-made. It can make a great base for a soup or stew or can even be enjoyed on it’s own as a soothing warm drink.
Kombucha – this fermented drink made from tea helps support healthy gut bacteria (a big player in healthy digestion) and serves as a fizzy treat, just be careful to choose a kombucha with low sugar content
 
If you would like more individualized advice for improving your digestive health (or other aspects of your health), see your healthcare provider or consider booking in for a consult with me at my clinic, A New Leaf Naturopathic Clinic (604-514-8555).