8 Fantastic Foods to Heal Your Gut

It’s critical that you remove the inflammatory foods such as grains, sugar, dairy, and

processed foods and add in healing, anti-inflammatory foods. If you’re following a Paleo diet, I imagine you’ve taken many of these inflammatory foods out. However, there are some specific Paleo-friendly foods that you can focus on consuming on a regular basis to promote healing.

Below are just a few foods that can aid greatly in reducing inflammation, soothing your digestive system, and healing your gut.

Animal Protein

Animal protein, preferably organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised, wild-caught, is extremely healing to the gut. It’s a fantastic source for dietary amino acids such as glutamine, glutamate, and arginine, which optimize the immune functions of the intestine. It also promotes acid production in the stomach, which is critical for healthy digestion.

Lemon

Bitter, astringent foods like lemon are great for stimulating bile production, which aids in digestion. Lemon also helps to detoxify the body. Try drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.

Pineapple

Pineapple is an excellent source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain. Bromelain supports digestion by breaking down and digesting protein.

Coconut

Coconut is a true superfood and has so many health benefits. One important characteristic is that it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Coconut can really support gut healing by fighting potential pathogens. Try cooking with coconut oil, adding it to your smoothies, or eating a tablespoon by itself.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful, anti-inflammatory food. Its health benefits are numerous. Adding turmeric to your food or taking it in capsule form can help reduce the inflammation in your gut and promote healing.

Aromatic Herbs

Aromatic herbs like oregano, ginger, cloves and rosemary are great for digestive health because they possess antibacterial properties. Cooking with these delicious herbs not only provides flavor to your meals, but helps heal and protect your gut too.

Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are great for gut health because they are a fantastic source of good bacteria, or probiotics. Probiotics are known to support the immune system and promote motility in the GI tract. Examples of fermented foods are apple cider vinegar, kefir (coconut, dairy, or water versions), yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your body. Supporting and feeding your good bacteria is essential for gut health. Examples of foods rich in prebiotics are sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin, cantaloupe, honeydew, honey, zucchini, and artichokes.
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