Foods That Aid Digestion

As soon as you start eating, your body gets to work breaking things down into usable states. There are many processes that take place and the food you eat can help make things easier. Here are some foods that aid digestion:

• Fiber
Fiber is one of the keys to healthy digestion in general. If you aren’t used to eating large amounts of fiber, it’s best to start with soluble fiber such as oatmeal, apples, and bananas and slowly increase fiber intake by one serving every 4 days.

• Leafy Greens
Packed with nutrients that support digestion, leafy greens also help feed healthy gut bacteria. Think spinach, kale, and collard greens.

• Ginger
Available as powder, slices, or freshly grated, ginger helps to reduce GI inflammation and can relieve bloating and nausea.

• Unsaturated Fats
These fats pair up with fiber to keep you regular and also help you absorb vitamins from things you eat. Olive oil is an easy way to add this fat to your diet.

• Vegetables with Skin
Vegetables are always a good choice and if you can eat them whole, skin included, the fiber content is even better. Examples of this include potatoes, black beans, and garbanzo beans.

• Fruit
Usually high in fiber and vitamins that help with digestion such as potassium and Vitamin C, fruit should be part of your daily digestion regimen.

• Whole Grains
Grains that are whole and not refined get broken down slower, which helps regulate blood sugar. They’re also higher in fiber and that’s always helpful for digestion. Go with whole grains when choosing bread and buns.

• Yogurt & Kefir
These dairy products contain probiotics that act as helpful gut bacteria.