When it comes to health food trends, gut health is without a doubt one of the most exciting areas in nutrition. Part of the fascination with gut health lies with the billions of bacteria that reside in the gut and the impact they have on our health. These gut bacteria (also called the gut microbiome) play a role in shaping your mood, in supporting gut function including the way food is broken down, digested and absorbed, and how well your immune system works. As we learn more about the gut microbiome, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it is important to maintain a healthy balance between the ‘good’ bacteria and the ‘bad’ as it can positively affect your health.
Things like antibiotics, stress and a poor diet can all impact the balance of good bacteria in the gut which can lead to digestive issues and other health problems. Reducing stress levels and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain fiber is a great place to start. If you are taking antibiotics or you want to simply support your good bacteria then you might want to consider probiotics.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be found in supplements and fermented foods. Including probiotics in your diet can help to maintain the balance of good bacteria in your gut so it’s good to include probiotic rich foods in your day where possible. There are many different types of supplements available with varying strains and strengths. Speak to your pharmacist about the most appropriate option for you. If supplements aren’t for you, fermented foods are a great way to include probiotics into your diet and a range of probiotic rich foods can be included on the Jenny Craig menu. These include:
- Yoghurt with live cultures
- Miso paste
- Kefir – a fermented milk product
- Fermented vegetables – this includes foods like kimchi and sauerkraut
- Unsweetened kombucha – fermented black or green tea
Remember to talk to your Jenny Craig Consultant about including more probiotic rich foods into your Jenny Craig menu.
