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Why is digestive health so important? For starters, the digestive system is where vitamins, nutrients and minerals are absorbed. Unfortunately, factors such as stress, lack of sleep, antibiotics, illness, aging, and poor diet choices can often lead to an imbalance of the bacteria in your digestive tract. I often suggest my clients follow recommendations from The World Gastroenterology Organisation to consume fermented dairy products and foods rich in fiber to maintain good digestive health. Probiotics, mostly found in these dairy products as well as in some fortified cereals and grains, help to maintain the balance of “good” bacteria in the digestive tract and can help improve the functioning of the digestive system. Maintaining a healthy digestive system any time of year can be quite challenging, especially following the holiday season of overeating. Consuming an abundance of rich and indulgent foods compromises our digestive health by flooding our bodies with large amounts of fat and sugar. High fat holiday foods not only stay in the digestive system longer, but they cause more stomach acid to be produced which can also lead to gastric reflux. Processed holiday foods (think instant mashed potatoes, canned gravy and cranberry sauce) may be challenging for your digestive system; avoid these and your stomach will thank you! As you make your list of New Year’s resolutions, commit to getting your digestive flow back on track after the holiday season of indulgences. For starters, be sure to feed your gut’s healthy bacteria with probiotics – which help to maintain the balance of “good” bacteria in the digestive tract. Try having yogurt with probiotics every day, such as Activia. In addition to consuming adequate amounts of probiotics, consistently eating the right amount of fiber can help promote bowel regularity. High fiber foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains also contribute to helping keeping you feeling full. This will help prevent overeating throughout the day. Keep a running tab on the fiber you consume during the day to help control the energy you need. It’s also important to note that healthy digestion cannot exist without water. Adequate hydration provides the digestive system with the appropriate amount of moisture needed for proper functioning. Another tidbit – sometimes our body mistakes hunger for thirst, so stay hydrated to prevent unnecessary overeating. But for those “must-have” dishes that just can’t be trimmed of fat and calories – and there are always a few – go for it, just in a conscious manner. Digestive health can be greatly affected by the way we approach food, in addition to what we actually consume. Avoid the post-meal sluggish feeling by cutting the portion in half and feel empowered having a controlled portion. Always try to have a cup of tea on hand to help slow down your eating, allowing you to listen to your body and be more mindful. Having a smaller plate can also help with portion control, which is important for not only weight management but also for reducing the amount of stress on the digestive system that comes from overeating. And don’t just use smaller plates, take smaller bites and savor your food by chewing a few extra times. Some researchers claim that the more you chew your food, the less you eat. Chewing foods slowly also increases the digestive enzymes in your mouth which allow for better overall digestion as the food moves through your digestive tract. Don’t eat too little and let yourself become ravenous, though, which will put you at risk for overdoing it at the next meal, happy hour with your co-workers or that party you’ve been looking forward to. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism revved, blood sugar levels balanced, and energy up. Try ruining your appetite before going out with a nutrient dense snack, like a handful of nuts or a plain yogurt. Finally, and perhaps the most important consideration for digestive and overall health, exercise! Exercise can help create a healthy digestive environment by allowing food to move through the large intestine much quicker, which also decreases the amount of water lost in the stool. Intestinal muscles that contract during exercise contribute to more efficient movement of stools. Not to mention the numerous other benefits of exercise! Now that you’re armed with the tips you need to get your digestive health back on track in 2012 - cheers to a New Year, and a resolution to refresh and energize your digestive system! Nationally recognized nutrition expert and published author Keri Glassman is the founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City. For years Keri has been a leader in advancing a "whole person" approach to health and wellness. She is a compensated consultant on probiotics education for The Dannon Company. ### For advertising and promotion on HealthNewsDigest.com please contact Mike McCurdy: tvmike13@HealthNewsDigest.com or 877-634-9180 HealthNewsDigest.com is syndicated worldwide and has over 7,000 journalists as subscribers. Top of Page 
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