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Few body parts have gotten as much attention as the gut in recent years. Gut health is on everyone's mind, but a lot of us aren't quite sure how it plays into our health and well being and which foods — including the very first food we introduce into our bodies in the morning — can help reduce inflammation.
“Nutrition influences both the type and number of bacteria in our gut,” says Sarah Berndt, owner of Fit Fresh Cuisine and registered dietician for Complete Nutrition. “Essentially, our gut bacteria eats what we eat, and this impacts our overall health from our digestion and immunity, to our energy and mood.”
In addition to affecting your energy, mood, and digestion, keeping your gut bacteria healthy can help prevent inflammation, which can lead to more serious diseases and conditions.
“It appears the gut microbiome largely regulates the inflammatory response, acting like a thermostat, up-regulating and down-regulating to protect us from harmful bacteria, pathogens, and toxins,” Berndt says. “This dynamic balance is important and may have implications for the development of gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease, and colorectal cancer.”
The Importance Of Probiotics
Taking a probiotic supplement each morning is one to ensure you are supporting a thriving gut microbiome, Berndt says. And while these supplements are all the rage and will certainly benefit you, Berndt says there are many foods that naturally promote gut health — including the very first thing she suggests eating in the morning for gut health.
Plain Yogurt
And it's plain yogurt for the breakfast win! By "plain," I am referring to Greek yogurt that contains the least amount of sugar possible (as opposed to those with syrupy fruit at the bottom). By all means, jazz yours up with fresh fruit, chia seeds, and nuts — but the yogurt itself is going to deliver your most essential gut health benefits.
“My morning go-to is yogurt; it’s convenient, delicious, and a rich source of live cultures, or beneficial bacteria, that nourish my gut," Berndt says.
One More On-The-Go Gut Health Breakfast Option
If you can't find the time on crazy mornings to sit down to a bowl of yogurt and granola, Berndt suggests a low sugar, high fiber protein bar that contains gut friendly ingredients.
"Some mornings are especially hectic, so I keep a stash of Complete NutritionCharge On protein bars in my car, which contain a natural prebiotic fiber called inulin that encourages beneficial bacteria," Berndt says.
