Guard Your Gut

BlogHealth and Nutrition
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Hawaiian-Harvest-Smoothie

Gut health has a direct link to overall health. Everything from anxiety disorders, hormonal imbalances and immunity have been linked to gut function. Consider your gut the MVP for good health. Guard your gut and maximize its immunity potential by recruiting two important players: fiber and probiotics. 

Foods high in fiber, such as fruit, whole grains and vegetables, not only help with weight management and fending off certain diseases, but also promote good gut health and reduce inflammation. Aim for 25-35 grams of fiber daily.  

Make a game-winning play by enjoying fermented dairy foods like yogurt and kefir, a fermented milk drink. These fermented foods contain beneficial bacteria, called probiotics, that strengthen the digestive tract and boost immune function. Probiotics in yogurt and kefir also aid the digestion of lactose, making them a great option for those with lactose intolerance. 

Integrate fiber into your first meal of the day by eating oatmeal made with milk for breakfast, or fueling up on a yogurt parfait made with fruit and granola. Snacks are also a perfect opportunity to enjoy fiber-rich foods. Whip up a smoothie made with yogurt, kefir, and fruit, reach for a crisp apple with almond butter, or munch on fresh vegetables with a Greek yogurt dip.  

At the end of the day, dairy and plant foods provide the dream team of nutrients to help you eat for strength!

Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD

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