Foods that Keep Your Digestive System Healthy and Happy

We are often admonished to listen to our gut, or go with our gut reaction. Our gut often tells us it’s feeling a little sluggish and could use some help, but we rarely listen until communication has been cut off with a major traffic blockage. To get things moving along normally and keep them moving, incorporate some or all of these foods into your daily diet.

Vegetables and Beans

High fiber vegetables typically have dark green leaves, like kale and spinach. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are also rich in fiber and will help keep your digestive system happy.

Pinto, navy, lima and black beans are fiber-rich and good for your gut, as are sweet potatoes and split peas.

Fruits

Go for fibrous fruits like apples, pears and berries to help keep things moving along right on time in your digestive tract. Tropical fruits, like bananas, pineapples and mangoes will keep your digestive system and taste buds happy due to their sugar content, but have little to offer in the way of fiber.

Nuts and Seeds

Raw, unsalted almonds or sunflower seeds make a great low-cal snack that will help keep your digestive system healthy. Flaxseed is a great source of fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Try sprinkling some nuts or seeds on yogurt, oatmeal or on salads to help improve digestive health.

Whole Grains

Whole-grain, high-fiber cereals and breads are good sources of fiber that help maintain digestive health. If you are on a gluten-free diet, add brown rice or quinoa to your diet instead to aid in digestion.

Psyllium

The number one ingredient in the popular mix-with-water powders that aid in digestive regularity. Psyllium husks correct both constipation and diarrhea by bulking up the stool inside the digestive tract. Purchase an over-the-counter product with psyllium husks that you mix with water or purchase the product at a health food store in capsule form.

Water

Water is important to the body’s elimination process and drinking at least 8 cups of water a day will help keep your digestive system healthy and happy. Other liquids provide some aid, but nothing beats plain water to keep things moving smoothly.