Today’s post is brought to you by my partnership with Vital Proteins! Thank you Vital Proteins for your support of Just Me Chelsea B. Affiliate links are included.
Anyone notice a rise in interest in gut health? How about seeing those pre-biotics and pro-biotics everywhere in all the stores? What about this Kombucha kick everyone seems to be on lately? Yep, gut health is EVERYWHERE. It’s hugely popular these days, and rightfully so. Gut health is tied to literally everything inside of our bodies that leads to our physical, mental and emotional health. When your gut is out of whack, everything else seems to be as well. Maybe you’ve been one to suffer from gut health issues, and you know all too well how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be to get it back under control. Inflammation, chronic stress, digestive issues, and brain fog/depression are just a few of the related symptoms when it comes to troubled gut bacteria. Knowing that your gut is tied to almost everything in our bodies, it couldn’t be more important to find ways to keep it happy and in tip top shape, as best as we can.
Did you know…..>>>
Improving gut health doesn’t have to be a difficult feat if you keep gut healthy foods in your kitchen. We all know that gut health is important, but many of us just underestimate how much of an impact the foods we eat play a role in how we feel, think and behave. You’ve heard the phrase “You are what you eat”, right? This couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to gut-health. I can always tell such a huge difference when I’m choosing food that has little to no nutritional value and end up feeling the fatigue, brain fog, and just completely out of whack for days on end afterwards. (Hello holidays and sugar overload!! I’m looking at you!) Then, when I turn my focus around to more gut-healthy and nutritious foods, I can easily tell a difference within just a matter of days! Our bodies are truly amazing and the fact that they’re working on our behalf even while we sleep is plenty of reason to treat is as best as we can, right?
That brings me to today’s list of 6 gut-friendly foods to keep in your kitchen. Fingers crossed you already have a few in your pantry as we speak, which means your ahead of the game, my friend! 😉
Before you plan your next shopping list, keep this list of foods in mind as you browse the isles for gut-healthy foods to add to your kitchen pantry. These foods will not only provide better gut-health, but can help you feel your best overall from the inside out.
YOGURT
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Spoon your way to a better digestion with a cup of yogurt.
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Yogurt contains probiotics, which are a powerhouse for digestive health. Priobiotics are live micro-organisms that promote health benefits when consumed and support the “good’ bacteria in the gut.
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Look for yogurts that contain live cultures-an active bacteria that has been shown to help promote in overall gut health and aid in reducing digestive distress.
CAYENNE PEPPER
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Spice up your day with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper in your meals.
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Research has shown that cayenne pepper can assist in bringing necessary enzymes to the stomach which ultimately aid in metabolizing food.
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Also a great aid for relieving intestinal gas as it encourages peristaltic motion – the movement of muscles located in the digestive tract.
AVOCADO
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Avocados are not only a delicious addition to any meal, they are also a one-stop-shop for a wide array of vitamins and nutrients, and are full of potassium, fiber, magnesium, and monounsaturated fats (4).
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Fiber is largely found in avocados with approximately 4.5 grams per half, which contributes to healthy digestion as a result of its ability to feed the ‘friendly’ bacteria and remove waste in a minimal amount of time.
ROOIBOS TEA
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Gut healthy foods don’t necessarily have to be a food!
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Steep a warm cup of sweet and flowery rooibos tea for it’s digestive health benefits. Even add in a scoop of Vital Proteins Bone Broth for an added digestive boost.
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Rooibos tea is rich in nutrients such as manganese, iron, zinc, and calcium to promote a healthy inflammatory response. Studies have shown that rooibos tea has the ability to promote improved digestion and abdominal comfort.
QUINOA
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Quinoa is fiber-rich with a whopping 5 grams per cooked cup (8), mostly consisting of insoluble fibers which help to deliver friendly bacteria to the gut.
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Rich in antioxidants–which flush out free radicals from the digestive tract –and other minerals, quinoa boasts even more iron, fiber, and zinc over other common grains.
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Magnesium is the star player in quinoa, where one cup can offer 30% of the recommended daily amount.
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Gut healthy foods can be made even healthier with an all natural supplement. Maintain a digestive support with supplements such as Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin.
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Gelatin is most beneficial for improving the lining in the digestive tract and combating intestinal damage which ultimately prevents permeability. Gelatin is slower to digest, moves through the GI tract further and coats the small intestine.
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Beef Gelatin and Collagen Peptides’ nutritional benefits vary only slightly. (I’m a huge fan of both of them!) The main difference is how they’re used. Gelatin works best while cooking, or with hot liquids, soups and broths. Both can be used cooking, but Beef Gelatin dissolves well in warm liquids, gummies, parfaits, hot teas, and more. You can find my recipe for Cranberry Gelantin Gummies with Beef Gelatin >>here<<.
Alright, so kitchen pantry check: What did you have already? Are you planning on adding a few of these items to your grocery list for your next trip to the store? I sure hope so!
I am constantly searching for ways to help keep my gut health feeling as best as I can and these are a few of my favorite foods to keep that going strong. Other than foods, I like to try to manage my stress as best as I can with yoga, meditation (as often as I can remember to get it in), and plenty of restful sleep! Now, you and I both know stress has been higher than normal on my end with us being so busy with this house over the past few months. I can guarantee you my body has felt that extra stress in so many ways too. It’s crazy what stress and emotional health can do to your overall health! As I noticed myself feeling fatigued and run down, I knew it was time to get back to the basics, quick fast and in a hurry! I started changing my mindset to gratitude and focusing on all the things we had accomplished instead of what we had ahead of us, which helped dramatically! I also started getting back on track with my diet and focused on whole foods, instead of the processed ones, as the holiday habits stuck around a little too long. I noticed a HUGE difference pretty quick, thank goodness! All of those negative vibes and run down feelings were quick to turn around in the other direction as soon as I got ahold of my mindset and got myself back to focusing on what feels good nutritionally. Of course, there are still days when those sugar cravings are at an all-time high and fruits and veggies just don’t seem to spark my taste buds fancy, but it’s still much better than before! (Hello Halo Top! I’m looking at you! ;)) It’s all about creating that balance and leaning more towards the healthier choices all while listening to my body as much and as best as I can. Staying focused on balance and constantly seeking what makes us feel our best from the inside out is so vital to living our healthiest and happiest lives. I’m a firm believer in that and know it’s a huge piece to the puzzle.
I hope this list helps and can’t wait to hear how you stay on top of your gut health! Share your thoughts in the comments below!
(PS>>my comments box show up on the full computer version, instead of mobile sometimes! So, feel free to visit the blog on the computer so you can add your thoughts below!)
Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!! I hope it’s awesome and extra productive for you!
Thanks again to Vital Proteins for patterning with me for today’s post!!
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Questions for you today: (Comment below with your thoughts!)
What is your favorite food on this list? Do you have it in your pantry already?
Have you ever tried Collagen before?
What is on your workout to-do list today? Did you already get your sweat session in?
