Do you suffer from constipation or diarrhea?
Do you have cramps or tummy aches that have become so bad that they interfere with your daily life?
Whether you have Leaky Gut, Crohn’s Disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, any problems that revolve around the gastrointestinal region is critical to an individual’s overall health.
Our gut is the key to how our nutrients are broken down, digested through our system and discarded out from our rectum.
Depending on the foods that we consume, they can affect our digestive system and how it will function.
At LifeWorks, we recommend the Paleo Diet to encourage natural, all-organic produce to subtract all pesticides, chemicals and preservatives from the body.
If you suffer with Gut Issues, there are plenty of Paleo foods listed below that can help to ease your digestive system.
Paleo Friendly High Fiber Foods that Help with Gut Issues
Whenever it comes to having strong gut health, doctors and/or practitioners will almost always recommend having a high fiber diet.
Dr. Kristin Kirkpatrick of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute once stated in an interview that adequate fiber consumption can “reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, weight management, and especially improving gut health”¹.
As a matter of fact, a 2020 study showed that “foods rich in fiber had a beneficial impact on the gut microbiome”¹.
For our patients suffering with gut issues, we like to encourage high fiber foods from the Paleo Diet to ensure that no unnecessary chemicals are ingested and decrease inflammation in the gut. Some foods that would constitute as high in fiber and Paleo friendly are as follows:
- Fruits (raspberries, apples with skin, bananas, oranges, and strawberries)
- Vegetables (green peas, broccoli, turnips, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and carrots)
Avoid:
- Grains (while oatmeal may be high in fiber, it is not recommended in the Paleo Diet)
- Legumes (black beans, lentils, and other forms of nuts and seeds are also not recommended within the Paleo Diet)
Meat/Protein to Help with Gut Issues
The Paleo Diet centers on the idea that our health will improve if we eat similar to our ancestors of 2 million years ago.
During the days of evolution, hunter-gatherers survived on plants grown straight from the ground, fresh lean meats without the addition of preservatives, chemicals and pesticides.
Certain meats such as fish can benefit the gastrointestinal region and help to keep toxic pesticides out of our bodies.
- Seafood that contain fish oils such as omega 3 include Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, and Trout (avoid consuming large predator fish)
- Organic Eggs (yolk included)
- Lean Meats that are grass fed (skinless white meat poultry, lite tofu, pork and beef)
Avoid:
- Fatty meats (Bacon, hamburger, dark meat, and any poultry that is not grass fed)
- Predatory Fish (Sharks, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, and Tuna)
Liquids that Help with Gut Issues
Drinking lots of fluids is a great way to help your gut flush out all of its toxins.
An article published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) states that the human body is made up of approximately 60% of water².
When we urinate, our digestive system assists in using our water to flush out all toxic wastes, chemicals, sugars, or caffeine.
To avoid dehydration, it is always encouraged to continue drinking water so that our systems are replenished.
When it comes to gut health, other liquids that should be considered are as follows:
- Ginger Tea
- Water
- Peppermint Tea
- Bone Broth
- Sweet Potato Soup
Avoid:
- Milk (the Paleo Diet suggests that all dairy products should be avoided)
- Coffee (while coffee helps some people go to the bathroom more often, it is more of a laxative rather than a liquid that supports the gut)
When it comes to healing a gut that is inflamed or suffering with severe issues due to underlying causes such as Lyme disease or an Autoimmune Disease, we want to ensure that the body is receiving the right type of foods that will help your digestive system slowly ease back to normal.
When a section of the gastrointestinal region is infected, it will not only spread bacteria everywhere else in the body, but the gut itself will continue to have trouble digesting foods that you may have been able to eat at one point in your life.
At LifeWorks, we have amazing practitioners who can find the root cause of your gut issues and provide the best treatment plan to heal the gut.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners, please call 727-312-0785.
