De-stress your guts with these foods this summer

A balanced diet is key to good gut health. With the rising temperatures in the summer months, it is important to select foods that are easy to digest. It is also important to hydrate yourself. To combat the heat, it is best advised to avoid consuming sugary or fatty foods that can cause inflammation and strain your digestive system.
To maintain gut health in the summer, focusing on a balanced and healthy diet that provides essential nutrients and supports digestion is important. Here are some tips for a gut-healthy summer diet:
Eat fibre-rich foods: Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in your diet to provide fibre to support digestion and prevent constipation.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other hydrating fluids, such as coconut water, fresh fruit juices, and herbal teas. Adequate hydration helps to prevent dehydration and supports digestion.
Consume probiotic-rich foods: Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut contain probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion.
Avoid sugary and processed foods: Limit your intake of sugary and processed foods that can disrupt the gut microbiome and cause inflammation.
Include healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids in nuts and seeds can help reduce inflammation and support gut health.
Avoid spicy and fatty foods: Spicy and fatty foods can irritate the digestive system and cause heartburn and other digestive problems. Try to avoid them or consume them in moderation.
Chew your food properly: Chewing your food thoroughly helps to break down food particles, making them easier to digest and absorb.
A gut-healthy summer diet should include plenty of fibre-rich foods, probiotics, and healthy fats while limiting sugary and processed foods and avoiding spicy and fatty foods. Stay hydrated and chew your food properly to support digestion and maintain gut health.
Dried fruits are a great addition to a healthy summer diet as they are a good source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some dried fruits that you can include in your diet in summer:
Apricots: Dried apricots are a good dietary fibre, vitamin A, and potassium source. They are also low in calories and high in antioxidants.
Raisins: Raisins are a great dietary fibre, iron, and potassium source. They are also high in antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation.
Prunes: Prunes, also known as dried plums, are a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin K, and potassium. They are also high in antioxidants and can help improve digestion.
Dates: Dates are a good dietary fibre, potassium, and magnesium source. They are also high in antioxidants and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Figs: Dried figs are a good dietary fibre, potassium, and magnesium source. They are also high in antioxidants and can help improve digestion. When choosing dried fruits, looking for unsweetened and free from added sugars is important. Also, be mindful of portion sizes as dried fruits are calorie-dense and can be high in natural sugars.