5 Simple Resolutions to Make for Better Digestive Heath (Other Than Fiber)

When you’re thinking of making New Year’s Resolutions, getting healthier is often on the list — and with these simple changes you can implement, you can get your digestive tract healthier and feeling better:

1. Drink more water.

Water is an easy way to help smooth the digestive process and get things flowing. Try marking a water bottle into increments, to have half of it gone by a certain time of day to provide visual evidence of meeting your goals (or these tips). Bored with plain water? Add lemon. Or cucumber, or other infused fruits.

2. Limit red meat and processed meats.

Processed meats have a lot of unhealthy additives to them (like sodium, fat, and nitrates) that don’t absorb well in your stomach…and may potentially increase your risk of colon cancer. In general, the fewer processed and packaged foods you eat, the better your gut will feel.

3. Find an outlet to relieve stress.

Your entire body works together – and if you’re stressed about something, your stomach feels that. Your body focuses on handling that stress, so some other areas of your body may be affected: Including your digestive tract, potentially leading to constipation, diarrhea, or other stomach upset.

4. Move.

We all know we need to exercise to be healthier, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. For your digestive health, moving around helps to keep things flowing smoothly. Light exercise — like a walk around the block, even – is a great way to start moving so that all the food you’re digesting doesn’t get “stuck” sitting too long while it’s going through your digestive system.

5. Visit a Gastrointestinal Doctor.

If you are avoiding going to a gastrointestinal doctor because you “know” your digestive issues stem from a less-than-ideal diet, you may be missing out on the bigger picture: Something may be able to help. Sure, you may think you eat too much fried food…but what if your discomfort is the result of IBD, Crohn’s, or some other stomach issue? Having a GI doctor in your phone contacts is a good idea to have on hand.

Call Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. for better digestive health!

We’re here to help diagnose and treat all your digestive concerns to get you on the path to feeling better. Call us today at (248) 273-9930 or visit us online to schedule your appointment!