Digestion is an often overlooked part of a healthy weight loss diet.A� A good digestive process is critical to weight loss success.A� With poor digestion, you are making your gut vulnerable to harmful bacteria and inflammatory response, which cause that ugly distended fat belly and many diseases.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to aid your digestive process and ensure optimal function for weight loss success.
1) Stop Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods contain a large number of chemicals used to preserve the food for long periods of time.A� These chemicals are toxic to your body and must be fought off to keep them out of the intestines and colon.A� This generates an inflammatory response and the toxins end up getting stored in your fat tissue along with a whole lot of excess water. A�
Eliminate processed foods from your diet and you will see a world of a difference in your weight loss efforts as well as the comfort of your digestive system.A� There is never room for processed foods in a true healthy weight loss diet.
2) Eat Fewer Grains
Many people are intolerant to the stuff used to produce grains for consumption and don’t even know it.A� If you have a food intolerance, this will lead to serious digestive problems and cause bloating, constipation, abdominal pain/pressure, and weakened abdominal muscles.A� None of these things are very good if you are trying to get healthy and lose weight.
3) Drink Water 15-20 Minutes Prior to Each Meal
Hydration is critical to the digestion process.A� Water is needed to move everything along and, eventually, out of the system.A� By drinking a glass or two before a meal you are preparing your digestive system for the work it is about to partake in.
It is also important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as the digestive process is working even when you are not eating.
4) Eat Vegetables With Each Meal
The properties in vegetables provide a great natural digestion aid.A� They work to better break down food and ease the particles all the way through your digestive system.A� Some work better than others, with the leafy greens generally being among the most effective.
5) Get a Good Amount of Fiber in Your Diet
Dietary Fiber is indigestible.A� Therefore, it must pass all the way through your system.A� This helps you become more regular and “finish” the digestive process.A� Good sources of fiber include almonds, pears, avocados, apples (with skin), and flax seed.A� You may also want to try to use a psyllium supplement, such as psyllium hulls, before bedtime to aid in regulation.
6) Do Not Eat Until You Are “Stuffed”
When you are “stuffed”, you are typically actually overstuffed.A� These means that your food particles will not all be able enter the colon, where they are supposed to go.A� The extra particles will float around and be directed to other areas where they can cause problems.A� By eating smaller meals throughout the day, you can avoid these problems.
7) Chew Your Food Until It’s as Liquified as Possible
This tip makes the whole digestive process easier.A� Liquid is much easier to digest than big solid chunks.A� By chewing more, you are making the workload much easier on your digestive enzymes by starting to break down the food for them.A� This will make the transport of food through the body much smoother and avoid problems of particle leakage.
Digestive health is crucial to weight loss success.A� Use these tips to create a healthy gut.A� And remember, a healthy gut is a happy guy; and a happy gut is an attractive gut!