Today’s Solutions: February 10, 2025

The microbiome in your gut is connected to your overall wellbeing—and not just your digestion. It’s linked to mood, energy, immunity, and longevity, so, having a healthy gut is of utmost importance.

It’s no surprise that sugary, processed, and fried foods don’t support gut health (or your health in general), while fermented foods are great for boosting the good bacteria in your gut. However, fermented foods aren’t the only things you can eat to support your gut.

Here are the top (non-fermented) foods to support your gut health, according to three top gastroenterologists.

Leafy greens

Integrative medicine doctor and gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, MD highly recommends “leafy greens of all sorts,” because they are rich in fiber. Foods that are packed with fiber contribute to gut health because they promote the growth of good bacteria while getting rid of bad bacteria.

Caribbean sweet potato

Vincent Pedre, MD is an integrative medicine doctor and the author of Happy Gut who suggests that people get creative by experimenting with different varieties of root veggies. “There are so many great starchy root vegetables at Latin supermarkets that help build a diverse gut microbiome,” he says. Plus, they’re easy to integrate into your meals because they can be prepared in the same way as you would other potatoes.

Bone broth

Another favorite of Dr. Singh, bone broth has high collagen content, which you may associate more with the beauty industry for its ability to smooth wrinkles. However, collagen also helps your gut and aids digestion.

Sardines

“I’m a big fan of omega-D rich foods, like wild salmon and sardines, because they’re anti-inflammatory. This makes them both critical and beneficial for the entire body, including the gut,” Dr. Pedre says. Wild salmon may not be such an uncommon dish however, sardines are also a great source of nutrients and are more cost-effective.

Turmeric brown rice

Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which is why Dr. Pedre recommends that we add more of it to our diet and incorporate it into our cooking whenever we can. His suggestion is turmeric brown rice so that you can also benefit from a fiber-rich source.

Avocados

Gastroenterologist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center Jacob Skeans, MD recommends incorporating avocados into your daily diet “because they’re high fiber and also have so many other great nutrients.” So go ahead and order that avocado toast at Sunday brunch with the knowledge that you’re not just being trendy, you’re supporting your gut health, too.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

SF State leads the way as the first major university to require climate justi...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco State University is setting a historic precedent by becoming the first major public university in the ...

Read More

What is frozen shoulder? Everything you need to know about this painful condi...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine reaching behind your back to hook your bra or grabbing something from a high shelf, only to ...

Read More

Use these 7 science-based strategies to make your resolutions stick this year

For most of us, the new year means new goals, dreams, and habits. Whether you’re trying to be more active, practice a new hobby, ...

Read More

6 impactful changes you can make to help avoid climate crisis

When it comes to climate change, just reading the news can be overwhelming. Hearing about wildfires and droughts, considering greenwashing and corporate carbon emissions, ...

Read More