Is it time to heal your gut?

Let's be honest about how we treated our little gut buddies the past few months. All those festive foods and drinks can be a bit hard on our microbiome, so here are some simple tips to get your gut back in shape (and no, we're not talking about hundreds of dreaded sit-ups).

Consume more pre and probiotics . Probiotics in fermented veggies, kefir, sauerkraut, and many more will help boost the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics in things like asparagus, green bananas, garlic, and whole grains, will feed the probiotics and encourage them to multiply in the gut.

Eat less sugar . Did you get your fill of milk and cookies last month? Good! Because too much sugar and artificial sweeteners may cause gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut microbes. Work on reducing your sugar intake to help the good microbes thrive!

Stress less . We know. Easier said than done, but stress management is important for better gut health as stress can negatively disrupt your microbiome and cause some serious issues. Consider taking up meditation or deep breathing exercises.

Exercise regularly . Consistent exercise contributes to good heart health and weight management, and may also improve gut health! Consider 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity exercise.

Get your zzzs . Adequate sleep is important for mood, mental clarity, and your gut health! Disturbed sleep may negatively impact your gut flora, which may increase your risk of inflammatory conditions. Do your best to keep a consistent sleep habit.

Protect your gut lining. Many of the foods we eat are grown using pesticides and antibiotics like glyphosate, which can break up our tight junctions in the gut lining. This allows toxins to penetrate your gut, enter your bloodstream, and cause a wealth of serious health issues.