Alex Simring’s Guide to Achieving Optimal Digestive Health
1. Eat wholefoods. Try to reduce the intake of foods which have been processed and stripped of all nutrients. The best wholefoods are grains, vegetables and legumes.
2. Cut out Sugar. Refined carbohydrates and sugars, the so-called “white”carbs, have had fibre and vital nutrients removed. Although they taste great, the are devoid of any nutritional content and play havoc with blood sugar levels.
3. Drink plenty of water. There are lots of benefits of adequate fluid intake. Water helps keep the cells properly hydrated. It can help to keep us feeling full during the day… better to have a glass of water than fruit juice or snacks. Water also helps to keep the digestive tract functioning well, and together with fibre will help prevent constipation.
4. Eat superfoods. Some of my favourite superfoods include kombu, berries and shiitake mushrooms. Kombu is available in a dried form and can be added while cooking grains such as quinoa and rice, vegetables and will aid in the digestion of legumes. Caution needs to be exercised due to the high iodine levels which can affect thyroid functioning.
5. Eat seasonally. This is really important to ensure that the foods we eat have maximal flavour and vitality. Buy organic foods from farmer’s markets. Reduce the amount of preservatives and additives in foods. These have only been added to extend shelf life and for convenience.
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