Cleveland Clinic registered dietitians offer these tips for promoting the health of your digestive tract:
- Focus on fiber. As a complex carbohydrate that is not absorbed by the digestive tract, fiber can speed the removal of waste produced during digestion. Fiber can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most Americans only consume half the recommended 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.
- Stay hydrated. This is especially important when increasing fiber. Water is attracted to fiber in the digestive tract and allows it to pass through more easily. Most people need about eight glasses – 64 ounces – of water per day.
- Chase the rainbow. Choose blue, purple, green, white, yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables throughout the week. Not only do fruits and vegetables provide fiber, but their many colors translate to a variety of antioxidants that may reduce risks of cancer and other diseases. And remember that most of us need five to nine servings per day!
- Build up “good” bacteria. Your intestinal tract is home to more than 500 species of bacteria. Good bacteria, such as the probiotics found in yogurts labeled as “live and active cultures,” help us to digest food and absorb nutrients. Another benefit of fiber is that it serves as food for good bacteria.
- Choose fats wisely. Not all fat is bad. We need moderate amounts of fat from unsaturated sources such as olives/olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados and trans-fat-free margarines. But the saturated fats and trans fat found in red meat, other high-fat animal products and highly processed snack foods should be avoided. Unsaturated fats reduce inflammation, a culprit in serious diseases; trans fat and saturated fats increase inflammation.
- Whittle that waist. Carrying a lot of fat around your midsection negatively affects all the internal organs in that area. To lose that spare tire, men should measure no more than 40 inches, and women no more than 35 inches, at belly-button level. (Although the numbers are similar, these measurements should not be confused with pants size.)
- Catch up on your calcium. Most of us need three servings daily of low-fat calcium sources such as 1% skim milk or low-calorie yogurt. These not only provide calcium; they are also major food sources of Vitamin D. Experts suggest that both calcium and Vitamin D may reduce cancer risk. (You can substitute soy or rice milk as long as they are labeled “fortified,” because they don't naturally contain these nutrients.)
By Amanda Saldivar, MS, RD, LD, Cleveland Clinic Registered Dietitian
Related Content
Cleveland Clinic Department of Nutrition Therapy
Be Well™ eNews articles are written for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. They have not been designed to replace a physician's assessment and medical judgment. Always consult with your physician first about anything related to your personal health.
