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Top Tips for Better Gut Health BY JARETT C. BIES, AVERA HEALTH
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ood health in our digestive system – the gut – goes well beyond tummy troubles. Jessica Morrell, CNP, IFMCP, a women’s health nurse practitioner, and Annie Ailts, MS, RDN, LN, IFNCP, a registered dietitian of Avera Medical Group Functional Medicine offer these insights that can help you achieve better belly health.
Everything Counts “Whatever you eat or drink will either feed the good bacteria or the bad bacteria in your gut,” Ailts said. “The bad bacteria love sugar and processed foods so limit your intake of candy, sweets, sugarsweetened beverages, sugary breakfast foods, chips and other unhealthy snack foods and fast food. Instead, focus on whole foods such as vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. It’s also important to note that artificial sweeteners can disrupt the gut microbiome and cause an overabundance of harmful bacteria so avoid ‘diet’ and ‘sugar-free’ products, too.”
Fermented Foods and Fiber Good gut health gets help from
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