You might have heard about “gut health”, but what do we mean by that, exactly?
As it turns out, those trillions of (good) bacteria living within your gastrointestinal tract perform more functions in the body than simply aiding in digestion. Research has begun to uncover links between gut health and conditions such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, asthma, mood disorders, heart disease and yes, obesity. So, it is possible that part of an effective weight loss plan might involve balancing your gut bacteria.
Although researchers continue to work on identifying specific strains necessary to a healthy gut, you can begin promoting good health by consuming a wide variety of probiotic and prebiotic foods.
Probiotics are those “good bacteria” that aid in digestion, promote healthy moods, boost immunity, prevent disease, and more. Since you need a wide variety of these organisms in  your gut, the best bet is to seek them from many different food sources (although supplementation in pill form can also help). Consider adding these foods to your regular rotation:

1. Sauerkraut (fresh or refrigerated, not canned)
2. Yogurt (but avoid added sugar)
3. Kombucha
4. Miso
5. Kefir
6. Kimchi
7. Tempeh
8. Fermented grains
9. Fermented pickles (not the vinegar-based kind)

Now, consider that those little organisms also need to eat, in order to flourish and populate your gut. Prebiotics sound like yet another complicated food category to add to your rotation, but luckily they’re just fiber-rich plant foods. Bacteria ferment these foods during the digestion process, both aiding in your digestion and helping themselves to propagate:

1. Apples
2. Broccoli
3. Celery
4. Asparagus
5. Carrots
6. Bananas
7. Garlic
8. Leeks
9. Onions
10. Shallots
11. Oats

Remember to keep peels on your food when you can, and the benefits from these fruits or veggies will be greater. Eating them raw is also better.
As you probably know, fresh fruits and veggies are already part of healthy diet, and particularly a sound weight loss plan. So, including these foods into your regular rotation shouldn’t be a big deal. As you get your gut bacteria into proper balance, you will probably notice that your mood improves, you get sick less often, and you might even lose weight a big more easily. Down the road, you’ll enjoy the benefits of chronic disease prevention.
If you have any questions about balancing your diet or just a weight loss plan in general, give us a call. We specialize in helping our clients look and feel their very best, while fighting against obesity, aging, and many common diseases.