The gut is often referred to as the second brain by scientists. One of the most important parts of the human body is the gut, often referred to as the digestive system. It consists of the stomach, intestines, and the microorganism or gut microbiome present in the intestine that breaks down the food and absorbs the nutrients. During winters in indian families, food is often pretty heavy, filled with oil, carbohydrates, and heavy traditional dishes.
This brings a lot of load on the digestive system and can hamper the metabolism. Due to this, people often complain of constipation, gas, acidity, poor digestion, or other digestive-related issues. Is there any solution for these? Yes. In the indian households, we have the ingredients and homemade recipes that we can use, and also with a few shifts in the daily food choices, we can reset our gut and unburden it from the heavy food and drinks. In this blog, we will talk about how to maintain gut health during winter to avoid any digestive or digestion-related issues.
Gut means the digestive system. It is made up of three main parts. The number one is the stomach, second is the intestines, and finally, the trillions of microorganisms that are called the gut microbiome. These microorganisms break down the food and absorb the nutrients from it.
A healthy gut is important to maintain the overall well-being of the human body. If you have a healthy gut, you will have high energy levels, clarity, a good mood, and energy to do the daily tasks without any burden.
There are now plenty of studies and research that have been done on the importance of the gut. If your gut works fine, your body works fine. In winter, the gut can become a bit overwhelmed and reduce digestion by a greater amount. We need to keep the gut working fast and effectively to digest the food easily.
During winter seasons, gut health degrades because of the low physical activity. Due to this, there is a slow digestion process. People also drink less water, and this causes constipation. More oil, sugary, fried, or processed food is increased that leads to an extra burden on the gut. Metabolism is also slow, and there is less sunlight. These are some of the many factors that reduce the gut’s power to digest food, and this negatively hampers our digestive system.
Following winter recipes can often take a toll on you or your will to cook, considering the cooking time they take. Given below are some of the best recipes for you to try out this winter season.
| Foods to eat | Why these help | How to include food in your diet |
| Add homemade curd or Buttermilk | These are probiotics and support the good bacteria in the intestines | You can use them daily after your meals at a normal temperature |
| Include fermented foods like idli, kimchi, sauerkraut, dosa, and more. | Fermentation helps produce gut-friendly bacteria. | Add 1-2 times per week as lunch or dinner. |
| Moong dal khicdi | Gentle on the stomach, reduces acidity | Add ghee + cumin to enhance gut benefits |
| Ginger-Cumin Tea | Tea reduces the gas | You can drink after the meals |
| Include fruits | Rich in vitamin C, supports gut lining | Mid snack or breakfast |
| Whole Grains (Oats, Millets) | Eat more fibrous food as they are beneficial for the Gut | Add 2-3 times a week. |
| Homemade pickles | Natural probiotics improve digestion | Consume in small portions with lunch |
It is normal to face digestive issues during winter. There are many home remedies that you can follow to make sure that your gut is healed and can digest food properly. We have mentioned a few guidelines that you can follow to heal your gut completely.
Furthermore, if you want to get your hands on the guilt-free personalised diet plans for winners, you can choose Dietitian Shubhra. A certified dietitian who has many years of experience in the health and fitness industry has helped many clients achieve their goals with desired results. To know more about their services, we have mentioned the details from where you can check about all the services they have to offer.
Where can I get the customised gut-friendly recipes or diets for the winter?
Dietitian Shubhra provides you with the customised gut-friendly or gut-healing recipes. It is a certified dietitian who has many years of expertise in the health industry.
Why do I have digestive issues in winter?
The reasons can vary, but most commonly, the main reasons are oily food, dehydration, lack of physical activity, and eating the wrong foods daily. Also, eat foods that are cold and heavy to digest. Start eating gut-friendly foods to support the gut microbiome.
What is the fastest way to restore your gut health?
Eat probiotic foods, move your body more, do not overeat, avoid processed and sugary foods, and keep yourself hydrated. Reduce your stress and keep your mood light. Have a proper timing of eating food and in the right order.
What to eat in winter for proper digestion?
Make sure you eat warm and properly cooked food. Eat plenty of liquid or warm soups to flush out the toxins from the body.
How to not let your stomach be upset in winter?
Winters can be a tough time for gut-related issues. The stomach can get upset if you eat cold and half-cooked food. Include more warm soups and water to flush out the toxins. Eat more fibre and whole foods to avoid any stomach issues, like gas, acidity, or bloating.
Which is the best food for the Gut?
The best foods for the gut are those that are fermented, foods that are not processed, less or no sugary foods, and foods that are whole and have more fibre in them. Having probiotics and prebiotics in your diet is important for a healthy gut.