This article has been updated since its original publication date to include more specialized insights.
The link to weight loss isn’t often talked about, but taking care of your gut health is essential for improving your overall health, eliminating bloating, and boosting your metabolism. Just as some foods, like fiber, help improve digestion and promote a balanced bowel, others have the opposite effect, causing discomfort, weight gain, and burning food for fuel. may cause a decrease in the ability to burn as
To improve overall health and reduce the digestive issues that plague America’s diet, we spoke with Balance One Supplements Registered Dietitian Trista Best, MPH, LR, RD, to find out We’ve determined four foods that you should minimize in your diet. Prioritize a healthy, functioning bowel in good physical condition.
1. Breakfast pastries
While it’s definitely a delicious breakfast option in moderation, breakfast pastries are often heavily processed, so they’re not an ideal choice to include in your diet if you’re trying to improve your gut health. Not to mention, they’re teeming with empty calories, so they won’t keep you feeling full, and you tend to snack mindlessly throughout the day.
“This food is taxing on the gut, primarily because of the added refined sugars used to create them. It promotes an imbalance of gut bacteria,” Best explains. is a nutrient source for bad gut bacteria, causing an imbalance and overgrowth of this bacteria and potentially Candida.
If you’re craving something sweet in the morning but don’t want to upset your gut, consider swapping out the pastry for steel-cut oats. It can be sweetened with natural ingredients such as honey, maple syrup, and peanut butter. Including extra fruit in your diet will naturally improve digestion with its fiber content.
2. Fried food
Oil is healthy when used in moderation, but fried foods are one example, and it does not favor gut health. “To the point of unwanted change, the fat and refined carbohydrates from the flour used to make these foods are detrimental to gut health,” explains Best. Try replacing these dishes with grilled or air-fried meals as they create an environment in which to thrive. Fried foods are also rich in refined flour, which is low in nutrients and can lead to unwanted weight gain if consumed regularly.
3. Some “diet” foods
It’s a common misconception that foods with the word “diet” in their description are better for you than others. “Foods in this category are generally made with artificial sweeteners to reduce the amount of calories they contain and the amount of sugar added. With no nutritional benefit and the potential for slow digestion, “diet” foods can actually help you eat more without overloading your body with artificial sugars. It is better to replace it with whole ingredients and grains that can introduce fiber into the intestine.
4. Processed food
Not surprisingly, processed foods such as potato chips, white pasta, and desserts not only cause weight gain due to calories, but can also have a significant impact on gut health. “It’s detrimental to gut health because it lacks the type of fiber that improves gut health by nourishing the good bacteria inside,” says Best. They often replace foods rich in nutrient-rich foods and complete diets that help with gut health.” Replacing processed foods with their more natural counterparts is the best option for improving health, and fruit By stacking your plate with veggies, lean protein, and whole grain carbs, you’ll do a lot better for your body in the long run.
