6 Surefire Ways to Improve Your Digestion Today

Digestion and digestive issues seem to be a common issue for most. Most people don’t know why some days they are fine and others they are really not. While there are serious digestive issues like IBS, and celiac, this article is not garnered towards that. If you have serious diagnosable digestion issues, see a professional. If you simply want to improve your digestion, and learn some easy tips to get on a more regular track, then this article is for you. 

Digestion is tricky. Stress, bad food combining, food intolerances, dehydration, and life/environment changes can throw everything out of whack. It seems almost impossible not to get off track. I experience this a lot while traveling. Consistent change in environment, routine and food have made each new country a digestive landmine if you will.

Good news- there are simple, surefire ways to improve your digestion. You might even feel relief in just a few hours. 

1. Drink A Daily Tonic To Help Your Digestion

My go-to morning beverage is lemon and apple cider vinegar in warm water. I swear by it. It’s so easy and you can make it just about anywhere. It’s best to drink this first thing, on an empty stomach. You simply put a little (1/2 tbsp) apple cider vinegar in your mug of warm water. Then squeeze half a lemon in. 

Some people absolutely despise the taste of ACV. I get it, but if you do like it, the digestive benefits are amazing. ACV acts as a natural probiotic and helps stabilize blood sugar. If you truly hate drinking it, just do half a lemon in warm water. This alone helps hydrate and nourish your cells. It also helps you go to the bathroom. 

2. Take a Good Quality Probiotic

This is so vital. We need to be taking probiotics, but we also have to take helpful ones. There are so many different types, and most aren’t even filled with real ingredients. I’m a huge fan of HUM Nutrition, since they have high quality, clean, vegan vitamins and match you with a personalized nutritionist and supplement plan. Use my affiliate code here: Take $10 off your first order with an email sign-up at HUM Nutrition!

Shelf stability is really tricky with probiotics. Most of the bacteria isn’t shelf stable, yet companies sometimes manufacture it that way. So you’re basically taking nothing, and paying a pretty penny for it. It’s important to do your research, and choose the correct strain for you, if you’re going to take a probiotic.

It’s also important to note that probiotics may provide vital assistance but if your digestive system is really damaged, it’s not going to help very much. If that’s the case, you’ll want to follow the instructions below and probably see a professional for further help. 

3. Improve Your Digestion With A Food Allergy Test

This is really overlooked but essential if you want to improve your digestion. Most of us are eating things we shouldn’t be eating. With the continual over- processing of our food, foods we may have eaten just fine before, now bother us.

This is where a food allergy test comes in. I recommend seeing your doctor or seeing a naturopath. I am partial to a naturopath, because they can give you a holistic analysis and treatment plan after, which you may need. Naturopaths do cost a pretty penny though, and are often not covered by insurance. Research this before you go. If you can’t afford it, see your doctor.

Food allergies can cause all sorts of problems, definitely not limited to digestive ailments. But if you’re having repeated gas, or sluggish digestion, it could be that you’re just eating something you shouldn’t be. 

4.  Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

If you want to improve your digestion today, there is probably nothing as simple and instantly effective as water. It’s hard not to be dehydrated these days, but hydration solves many problems.

A hydrated body runs smoothly and efficiently. The same goes for your digestive system. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, every day. 

5. Eat Fully Cooked, Nourishing Foods

Whenever I’m having sluggish digestion, or things are going haywire in there, I turn to this. Eating fully cooked, nourishing foods does wonders for your digestion. It helps soothe your stomach, so you can get some relief. Plus, it’s much easier on your body to digest things that are the same temperature as it, and essentially liquids. 

In Ayurveda, they swear by this principle. A delicious and effective staple in Ayurvedic cooking is kitchari. It’s a complete protein and carb, and it’s incredibly easy and nourishing on your body. When I need to give my body a break, I’ll often just eat kitchari for a day or two.

6. Take A Caffeine Break

You might think your daily coffee habit is essential for your daily bowel movement, but it actually causes more harm than good. Coffee, and caffeine, is extremely disruptive to your digestive system.

If you’re suddenly having an upset stomach, take a break from caffeine- don’t start loading up. It will help you reset your stomach faster, instead of further aggravating it.

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