Simple Tips for Digestion to Improve Energy Levels – healthy digestion.
Yes, I struggled for years with digestive issues – everything from candida to parasites and gurgling in the tummy (let me save you the gory details).
But honestly, I was that girl who felt so frustrated, scared and sad every time a doctor would tell me my tests came back abnormal or AST levels were high or cholesterol was high and yet I ate very clean.
Is this you? Do you feel exhausted? Do you feel bloated? Do you feel just plain blah? I know that feeling all too well.
For so many years I felt lost and hopeless. I would try detox, diet plan and fell for every “I can fix this” book out there until I started to use the elimination diet and learn how to improve my digestion.
Here are some simple steps you can take TODAY!
- Just eat less and Keep it simple. Remember your digestion will actually work more efficiently when you are not confusing it with too many foods. An efficient digestion means an efficient metabolism. To prevent bloating, avoid over eating. Eat smaller portions but make sure the foods you are eating are nutrient dense, high quality foods. Also add leafy greens to your foods, these foods will keep you hydrated and cooled off.
- Keep Drinking: Our bodies sweat more and we get dehydrated. So make sure you are drinking enough water and add cooling fruits to your water like grapefruit or lemon or lime for extra taste. Adding mint or cucumber is great because they are cooling plus taste great in water. When you are dehydrated, your body retains water and digestion gets impaired. You need proper minerals and electrolyte balance for proper digestion.
- Avoid the hot spices. If we eat too many HOT spices, our bodies get inflamed. Add a dash of of cayenne, cinnamon, cumin or paprika to meals to enhance digestion but do not over do it! There is a reason you sweat when you eat cayenne or curry, right? So lessen those hot spices, even though they boost metabolism and make sure you are eating in balance. If you have digestion issues already, like ulcerative colitis (it has been my experience that cooling spices can be really nice * this worked for me). Try experimenting with cooling spices such as fennel, cilantro. turmeric, fenugreek, mint, basil, dill, and fresh ginger to name a few.
- Foods that add more Hydration are the key to digestion: When thinking about good digestion, I think about moisture in the stomach. Bad digestion happens when the stomach gets heated up, so lets put out the fire when you are feeling hot with these foods: apples, watermelon, pears, cucumber, tomatoes, celery, radish, and romaine lettuce to name a few.
- Good digestion happens when there is a proper balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system. Our digestive system often gets heated up when we are not properly digesting our food. Not having enough good bacteria in the digestive system can lead to weight gain, acid reflux, chronic sickness, disease, auto-immune disorders, hormonal imbalances, sinus infections, depression to name a few. Take a good quality probiotic to prevent disease and to improve the quality of your digestion.
Enjoy easy to digest meals such as smoothies, juices, soups, pureed foods, warm roasted vegetables, and if you eat raw, then make sure to add a dash of warming spice to enhance digestion (but just as a dash if your body is inflamed).
Two thousand years ago Hippocrates, The father of modern medicine said, “All diseases begin in the gut!
Rachel Feldman is a health coach, digestive wellness expert, and detox specialist. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Rachel assists clients nationwide via phone, email and Skype. Rachel helps men and women struggling with weight gain, digestive issues and toxicity. Rachel graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, Wild Rose Natural College of Healing, and International School of Detoxification. She is also certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and has obtained additional Continuing Education Units from Purchase College, State University of New York. She is a certified Reiki Energy Healer. Her approach to health focuses not only on the foods you put into your mouth but also incorporates the elements of body, mind and soul. She helps her clients to access the blueprint for their health by discovering what foods fuel the body and not inflame the body.
To find out more about her programs visit www.rachelswellness.com.
