The Best Foods To Eat During A Gut Cleanse

We've all felt it before. All dressed up and yet not feeling our best. Bloating is a major bummer and sometimes we can blame our gastrointestinal tracts, or guts, for those frumpy feelings. Why is this? Dr. Tara Menon, a gastroenterologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center claims, "we now know that the GI tract is full of trillions of bacteria that not only help us process food but that also help our bodies maintain homeostasis and overall well-being" (via Time). We're on board with feeling our best and helping our overall well-being. Luckily, if you're looking to do a reset, there are a number of foods that can come to our aid while doing a gut cleanse.

Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are an excellent source of nutrients. Research has shown they also contain a certain sugar that helps fuel the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Linda Lee, M.D explains, "Eating a lot of fiber and leafy greens allows you to develop an ideal gut microbiome" (per John Hopkins). Dark, leafy greens may have made us scrunch our noses throughout childhood, but now that we understand their super powers, the salad selection on a menu is looking a lot more appetizing.

You might be swayed by all of the alternative dairy-free options at a grocery store these days. But it is important to remember the real deal, milk, and its positive promotion of our health. Milk is high in calcium and is surprisingly made up of 90 percent water (via GI Society). Water is a thirst quencher and staying hydrated is imperative for a healthy gut (per Healthline). So if you are not allergic, you should feel like you're doing a little something extra for your body when you finish all the leftover milk in your cereal bowl.

The next two foods that can come to your rescue can be eaten separately or, more deliciously, together. Both oats and raspberries are high in fiber and vitamin D, making breakfast an optimal time to tend to your gut. Eating oats can also be a great way to fight constipation (per mbg), which is definitely something that can "cramp" our style. And all that fiber found is raspberries can help us feel fuller longer (via Health). Attending to your gut is a great way to improve your overall well-being.