GROCERY SHOPPING FOR A HEALTHY GUT

Are you looking to give your gut health a boost? Eating gut-healthy-friendly foods is one of the most important steps to improve your well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore which types of foods are beneficial for promoting optimal gastrointestinal health so you can thrive optimally.

Understand the importance of gut health and why a healthy diet is vital

Good gut health is essential for overall well-being and can significantly impact the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients found in food properly. A balanced and healthy diet ensures that our gut microbiome is flourishing and supports digestion, energy levels, skin health, mental clarity, and much more. Eating various fresh, organic foods helps our bodies stay nourished. Incorporating probiotics as part of a daily diet helps restore enzymes used by your body and ensures active cultures are kept alive. Additionally, drinking plenty of water each day helps retain hydration levels and wash away any toxins that may have accumulated in your system from processed foods or caffeine. Taking small steps towards better gut health can improve overall health and well-being in the long run.

Make a grocery list based on your dietary needs when Shopping for a healthy gut

Making a grocery list based on your dietary needs is integral to maintaining a balanced nutrition plan and shopping for a healthy gut. Before you set off to the store, it is recommended that you consult with a nutritionist to find out what specific foods are best for your body and health goals. They can advise you on which nutrition items, such as whole grains, proteins, vegetables, and fruits, are ideal for reaching your desired nutrition levels. Once you have identified the nutrition items, looking through weekly grocery deals or sales can ensure you have the most cost-efficient selection. Finally, check if any of your nutrition items have an organic option available so you can feel secure knowing that whatever goes into your body is free from potentially harmful weeding or insecticides.

Shopping for a healthy gut involves Going for natural options whenever possible – avoid calories from artificial sweeteners.

People often opt for artificial sweeteners to satisfy their sweet tooth while skirting around processed sugars’ potential health and weight gain pitfalls. However, many do not realize that consuming too much artificial sweetener poses risks, such as possible spikes in blood sugar levels and an increased risk of heart disease. When shopping for a healthy gut, it is vital to opt for natural options whenever possible. Honey, maple syrup, and dates offer a great, healthy way to add sweetness to your diet while limiting calories. Furthermore, they provide additional nutrition benefits due to the other vitamins and minerals that are naturally occurring in these foods. So rather than taking the easy route towards countess calories with artificial options – why not go for natural alternatives when you can?

Low-Carb Natural Sweeteners

Use in small amounts to sweeten things up, to taste.

AVOID PROCESSED OILS WHEN SHOPPING FOR A HEalthy GUT

When You´re Shopping for a healthy gut choose cold processed oils only. Olive or organic coconut oil is preferred. Flax oil may be used in salad dressing or protein drinks but not cooked with. Avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils- (margarine, boxed processed foods, etc.)

• Olive oil (other than extra virgin or virgin, which are for room temperature use).
• Coconut oil – (Widly organic or green wise publix)
• Grass Fed ghee (clarified butter)
• Avocado oil (the best)
• Hazelnut oil
• Macadamia nut oil
• Palm fruit oil
• Palm Kernel Oil
• Dark roasted sesame oil (lower temperature stir fries)

CHOOSE GOOD SOURCES OF PROTEINS

Good sources are eggs, lean meat, cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut or sardines, chicken and turkey, etc.

If you are going to eat these healthy seafoods, aim for about 1 to 2 palm sizes per meal and focus on the fattier varieties

** = Highest amount of omegas

* = a decent amount of omegas

• Alaskan salmon, wild-caught**
• Albacore tuna (U.S./Canada, wild, pole caught)**
• Anchovies**
• Arctic char
• Atlantic mackerel**
• Barramundi
• Bass (saltwater, striped, black)
• Butterfish
• Catfish*
• Clam
• Cod (Alaskan)*
• Crab (domestic)
• Croaker (Atlantic)
• Flounder*
• Herring**
• Lobster*
• Mahi mahi (U.S./ Ecuador, pole caught)
• Mussels*
• Oyster**
• Pacific halibut*
• Pollock
• Rainbow trout**
• Rockfish*
• Sardines**
• Scallops
• Shrimp*
• Skipjack tuna (U.S./Canada, wild, pole caught)
• Sole (Pacific)*
• Squid (calamari)
• Tuna (canned, chunk light)
• Whitefish

Choose whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds instead of processed foods.

Eating a variety of legumes, nuts, and seeds is an excellent way to improve your health and nutrition. This part may not apply to you if you are undergoing an elimination process. Legumes contain B vitamins and protein, including beans, lentils, and peas. Nuts and seeds provide healthy fats, which can help reduce inflammation in your body while giving you a feeling of fullness after meals. These nutritious foods are much more beneficial than processed options that contain added sugar and empty calories. It is easy to incorporate whole grains into meals like soups or salads. Legumes can be used as a meat substitute or added to chili or tacos. Nuts and seeds make great on-the-go snacks or can be sprinkled on yogurts or oatmeal for breakfast. Grocery shopping for a healthy gut involves choosing healthier options instead of processed foods will positively impact your health.

Learn to read nutrition labels – look out for added sugar and sodium levels for a healthy gut

Reading nutrition labels is one of the most critical steps in living a healthy lifestyle. It provides a breakdown of the nutritional content in each product and can also help us learn what types of ingredients go into our food. Most importantly, nutrition labels allow us to be aware and mindful of how much-added sugar and sodium are present in certain products. The key is to ensure that we’re cautious when scanning through documents and understand which potential ingredients may accidentally or deliberately contain added elements that could harm us. Although reading and understanding these nutrition labels may seem intimidating initially, you will soon become an expert with some practice!

In conclusion, having a healthy gut is fundamental for optimal health. To achieve this, it is essential to make sure that you have an appropriate diet. A brilliant starting point is to create a grocery list of the items that adhere to your dietary needs and avoid unhealthy processed foods. When shopping, prioritize seasonal produce where possible, as they are the freshest and least expensive. Another helpful tip is to become familiar with nutrition labels when Shopping for a healthy gut – be attentive to added sugar and sodium levels. The final step is ensuring you opt for natural options instead of calories from artificial sweeteners whenever possible. Ultimately, it might be difficult for some people to ensure a balanced diet on their own – in those cases, it’s always helpful to work with a nutritionist specialized in dietary requirements. These steps will help you take charge of your gut’s well-being and live healthier lives! So don’t wait – start taking control of your gut health today!

Still, trying to figure out how to begin? Working with a functional medicine dietitian may be what you need.

Love and Light,

Gut Health Nutritionist

Thanks for reading Shopping For a Healthy Gut!