Our bodies are extremely powerful, and with the right kind of help, support and tender loving care they will always bounce back from a lot of health conditions and thrive.
If you want to feel your best, you must treat your body how you would your car. You would never put the wrong kind of fuel in an engine, and your body is a well oiled machine that needs to be fed right. But we know that it can be hard to make good healthy choices if you’re not aware of the effects that certain foods can have on your body.
The most important part is gut health, having a good balance in this ecosystem of bacteria that lives in your gastrointestinal tract is absolutely vital in order to have optimal physical and emotional health.
So we’re naming and shaming the 5 worst foods for your gut…be prepared, some of these may surprise you.
Gluten
Recap, gluten is a type of protein that’s found in many grains, including wheat, rye, and barley. It can really affect your gut. Yes it can be said that some people are more sensitive to gluten than others, but research has shown that even if you’re not gluten-sensitive, eating gluten can have significant, long-term effects on your gut bacteria, which can then affect other parts of your body and has even been linked to dementia and Alzheimers.
There are lots of gluten free alternatives to practically all of your favorite foods, so go to the gluten free section in your supermarket.
Dairy
Some will be more sensitive to dairy products than others. But research has shown that a diet rich in dairy products has significant unwanted effects on your gut microbiome. A lot of dairy also includes antibiotics fed to the cows, which is very bad for your gut.
Look for dairy free alternatives such as nut milks.
Sugar
No surprises here surely, but why is it so bad for your gut you may be asking. Well, just like you, your bacteria have to eat. And they get their food from the food that you consume. While some foods break down into substances that feed the good bacteria in your body, others, including sugar, feed the bad stuff. The more sugar or sweeteners you eat, the more they can grow, and eventually start reducing the amount of good bacteria, which can wreak havoc on your body.
Try sugar free alternatives, or natural sweeteners like stevia.