Improve your Digestion
Are you feeling tired? Do you have problems with indigestion? You may have chronic problems that are associated with poor digestion. The digestive tract doesn’t get the credit it deserves, and gets even less attention when it comes to creating a healthier lifestyle, but it is a vital system that has widespread effects on your health.
Improving your digestive health will also help you have less constipation, diarrhoea and feel less bloated. Changing your eating habits is one way to develop better digestion. Most people know they should have a diet high in fibre, but aren’t very good at recognising true high-fibre foods. While breads are made from wheat, many types of bread are not a good source of fibre.
Bread is mushy and turns into a soft doughy ball in the digestive tract. It actually can create more blockages than it resolves. When choosing bread products, always look for whole grain choices. They are coarser and do not ball up as much. Better choices are leafy greens that will help clean your system.
Tips for Improving Digestion
Drink lots of water
Water has many benefits for your entire body and it is vital to your digestive system. It keeps food moving through it and aides in the breakdown of nutrients so you can absorb them into your body. As important as it is, drink your water before and after meals. Drinking along with your meal dilutes fibre, makes it harder for it to work and slows down your digestive tract. If you have to drink something during a meal, drink water in slow, small sips rather than gulping it down.
Exercise regularly
Exercise improves blood flow for better absorption of nutrients and stronger abdominal muscles give your digestive tract more power to keep food moving through your body.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is largely thought of as having serious implications for heart and lung health, but it also has a negative impact on your digestive health. It can aggravate inflammation of the bowels and lower the pressure that makes food move through the oesophagus to the stomach.
Eat slowly and mix up your foods
Chewing your food thoroughly is a well-known diet trick, but the reason it works so well is it makes it easier for your body to digest food. Mixing up your foods on your plate can also help aid digestion. If you mix harder to digest foods with high fibre foods, your body can process them easier. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to provide the necessary fibre and also add the enzymes your metabolism needs to break down foods more efficiently.
Improve your digestion with the help of a real dietitian
There are many more strategies a dietitian can offer for improving digestion. Our dietitians have created comprehensive diet and nutrition resources, that together with a consultation, can be used to create a customised dietary plan. We will ensure that your dietary requirements are met, and create a meal plan that will be manageable and enjoyable for all the family. Remember healthy habits can start today! For more information on improving digestion, make an appointment to see one of our dietitians.
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