You are what you eat, right?

It should come as no surprise that your gut health is a product of what you’re putting into your body. We understand this naturally when a meal is followed soon after with a stomach ache. But what exactly is good for our digestive systems and what isn’t?

I’ve already discussed some of the best foods for your gut health and some of the worst foods for your gut health. But today, we’re going to zoom out and talk about two of the basics: probiotics and prebiotics.

What are they? What’s the difference? And why do we need them?

It’s important to remember that our guts do far more than simply digest food and process nutrients. Not only is our digestive track also the center of our immune system, but research continues to show that there is a direct connection between your gut health and your mental wellbeing.

That’s why it’s so important to support the health of your microbiome, the unique ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms that does everything from break down dietary fiber to fight off viruses, reduce inflammation, ease anxiety, and more.

And as you might expect, probiotics and prebiotics are the key.

What are Probiotics?

In the simplest of terms, probiotics are the “good” bacteria that make up your microbiome. They are living microorganisms most often found in yogurts and fermented foods, and when included into your diet, they can help strengthen the overall health of your digestive system.

Conversely, many of today’s modern snacks — including highly processed foods and sugary drinks — can cause a buildup up of the “bad” bacteria in our guts that can cause stomach pains. By altering the makeup of our gut flora by promoting a healthier mix of probiotics into our diet, we can not only ease discomfort but aid in numerous other aspects of our overall health.

Examples of Probiotics:

• Yogurt

• Miso

• Kimchi

• Sauerkraut

• Kefir

• Kombucha

What are Prebiotics

While probiotics are the “good” bacteria that make up your microbiome, prebiotics are the food that fuel the health of those microorganisms. They are made up of the high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that are then broken down by your microbiome.

The soluble fibers in prebiotics not only feed the probiotics, but they often work to fill us up faster, promoting a healthier diet, lowering blood sugar, and keeping blood cholesterol levels down.

Examples of Prebiotics

• Oats

• Beans

• Bananas

• Onions

• Garlic

Improving Your Gut Health Through Diet

Many of us maintain a healthy diet of prebiotics and probiotics over the course of our daily lives, but it’s helpful to take stock of what we are ingesting, particularly when dealing with gut troubles. Stomach pains are often the result of an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your microbiome.

If you are looking for help improving your overall gut health, consider reaching out for a free consultation. In my Introductory Nutrition Program, I will provide basic testing to better understand the overall health of your digestive system. And for a more advanced approach, my Digestive Repair Package provides three months of guidance and education towards improving your gut health and overall wellbeing.