For so long, we have heard that diet and exercise are the key to healthy living. It’s all about eating right and moving your body, right? While that is definitely true, there is another big player in the ring that needs to be included: gut health. Silver Fern’s Chief Nutritionist Charity Lighten joins us in this guest blog to explain how to improve your gut health and how Taylor Farms fresh vegetables play an integral part.
The Microbiome and Gut Health
We are continuously learning more about how the health of the microbiome is linked to our overall wellness.
What is the microbiome?
The microbiome is the community of micro-organisms that live within the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, whether symbiotic or pathogenic (that is, harmless or harmful). The bacteria in the microbiome, in our gut specifically, have been linked to several functions of the body, including brain function, skin health, metabolism, energy, and digestion.
Everyday threats to the health of the microbiome
Scientists have discovered that we have more bacteria cells than human cells (much much more), and these little soldiers play a critical role in our well-being. Unfortunately, many of us are completely unaware that our healthy bacteria are being destroyed by elements like toxins in our food, water, and personal products; pollution in the air; prolonged birth control use; processed foods; artificial sweeteners; and excessive alcohol use. These are all among the culprits harming our gut health.
Taylor Farms vegetables and salads are a convenient and delicious way to keep your gut healthy.
Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your microbiome. One of the easiest things (and arguably the most important) is to eat enough fiber. Fruits, vegetables, and all food that comes from the ground has fiber—pretty much everything your grandmother told you was good for you. Sadly, most Americans aren’t getting enough fiber, and that is taking a toll on the health of their gut. It’s recommended that women take in 25-28 grams of fiber per day and men take in 35-38 grams. Unfortunately, most Americans get about 15 grams per day on average.
Taylor Farms can be part of the solution, in just about the easiest ways possible. Our chopped salad kits contain 2-3 grams of fiber per serving and are ready in about 3 minutes. Classic vegetables like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower rice contain 2-3 grams of fiber per serving as well and can be served on their own or in any number of veggie-filled recipes. Adding sliced avocado, cooked quinoa, or tender chickpeas to your salad blends boosts your fiber intake even more.
We used to think that fiber was just undigested food starch that made its way through the body. We now know that it’s so much more than that; fiber is also fuel for bacteria and can have a tremendous impact on your healthy bacteria. On top of that, all those healthy foods, when eaten in variety, can also increase the diversity of your gut bacteria, which is definitely something you want!
Probiotics to restore gut health
Another way to help your gut is recolonizing it with probiotics. Supplementing with a good-quality probiotic can be one of the fastest ways to get your body the healthy bacteria that it needs. Just remember that not all probiotics are created equal. In fact, most of the options in stores are fairly useless. They are either already dead in the bottle, or they are not potent enough to survive the stomach acids. Make sure you look for one like the Ultimate Probiotic from Silver Fern Brand that is spore-based and has been tested for survivability.
There are more things you can do to improve your gut health. Cleaning up your personal care products, drinking plenty of water to flush toxins, avoiding processed foods, and even getting a pet (which will expose you to other bacteria), are all things that can have a positive impact on your microbiome. So keep up the exercise and healthy eating, and remember to incorporate some “gut health” self-care into your routine as well. The end goal is not simply to be healthy, but to have the energy and stamina to go out and live your very best life!