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Once upon a time, there was a taboo surrounding gut health. But now, the curse has lifted. People of all ages seem to be taking an interest in how to best take care of their guts. Why? Hard to say. Maybe it's got something to do with the decades of abuse we've put them through.
If you asked most people if they wanted to be healthier, the answer would probably be a resounding yes. The problem is that it's easier said than done. But one of the best ways to stack the deck in your favour is to make sure you start the day off on the right foot. So, without any further ado, let’s break down the gut friendliest way to kickstart your day.
Eat A Gut Friendly Breakfast
The most important meal of the day doesn’t need to be the most complicated. We all know this. You just need to do your best to include enough fibre, probiotics, and fermented bacteria while minimising processed additives. It's simple. Too many people out there overcomplicate it,
Whole foods, most times, are going to do much more good for your body, especially your digestive system, so ensure that you have plenty of them. And the fresher, the better. My personal favourite is some hearty oats. High in fibre and slow-burning carbs, this meal will help start your metabolism off on the right foot and have you feeling full throughout the morning. Not only are they healthy, but they are also very yummy. Another great thing about them is their versatility; I mix up the toppings each time. The way I like mine is with strawberries and maple syrup.
I’ve recently started adding a kefir yogurt into the mix because it adds a probiotic element. At first, I wasn't too sure about it, but now, there is no going back. Firstly, because it tastes divine. Secondly, because the fermented bacteria in kefir improve biodiversity within the microbiome and act as an anti inflammatory agent that brings down bloating. It’s particularly helpful for anyone that suffers from IBS. If you want to get your hands on some, it isn't hard to find where to buy Kefir in the UK. Just go to a shop.
But if you’re curious about other alternatives, it’s hard to go wrong with a simple breakfast smoothie. I love them. Mix in some banana slices with other fruits of your choice, along with a spoonful of oats and seeds, then fill it up with some milk. It’ll take you no time at all to prep and drink, leaving you more time if you have a longer commute ahead. Perfect for your first meal of the day.
Improve Your Sleep
To promote the best possible gut health, you should always try to get a good night’s sleep -- if you want to be even a little bit healthier, improving your sleep is one of the most impactful changes you can make. Plus, it's an easy change.
It worked wonders for my digestion. Probably because, during periods of deep sleep, our bodies regulate hormones that control your metabolism and appetite. If you’re struggling to get to bed early, these hormones can become unbalanced, which can make some people crave processed foods.
If you have a full eight hours, you are giving your body time to perform several restorative functions. It's great. Just like you, your gut microbes have their own circadian rhythms, which help keep your microbiome diverse. But irregular sleep patterns are no good. They can disrupt these rhythms and reduce the number of beneficial microbes in your gut while increasing the number of harmful ones. This imbalance is called dysbiosis and can also cause gastrointestinal inflammation. You've probably had it before. It's horrible.
Closing Thoughts
Give your day a healthy start. If you do, you'll be a lot more incentivised to keep it up for the rest of the day, whether you're looking for more structure in your diet, or are just trying to make some tweaks, I firmly believe that having a gut healthy start to the day can probably help you live a healthier life altogether.
