Therapeutic Foods for Digestion

Many of us struggle with digestion and its presenting symptoms at some point in our lives, if not on a daily basis.

Digestive symptoms are common, although not always openly discussed, unless you run with my group of friends. 🙂 Perhaps this is because words like gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation can make others uncomfortable. Not me! In fact, it’s extremely important to discuss your digestive symptoms with a qualified health practitioner.

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, digestion is one of the core foundations that I support my clients with, as it affects many systems in the body. I seek to uncover the root cause, not just address the presenting symptoms.

In this post, we will discuss the power of whole foods and how they can support your digestion. As a gentle reminder, this is solely for information and educational purposes and is not personal medical advice. Please consult a practitioner or reach out if you are interested in receiving 1-1 nutrition support.

What are Healing Foods?

Healing foods are foods that support our bodies and minds to function optimally. Most healing foods are going to be foods found in their whole form in nature: unprocessed and unmodified.

These foods serve as the foundation for any meal and ideally are the only types of foods that are consumed. There are various types of healing foods that can help with specific functions in the body like digestion, fatty acids, and mineral deficiencies.

Not surprisingly, foods have been used therapeutically for thousands of years. Some foods have specific properties that promote healing which we will go through here as related to digestion.

Therapeutic Foods for Digestion:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – helps to digest proteins in the stomach by lowering pH
• Beets – folate and manganese support gallbladder function which is necessary for the digestion of fat
• Cabbage – high in sulfur, it’s helpful for killing parasites, as well as supportive for ulcers
• Garlic – is an anti-parasitic
• Radishes – also high in sulfur, can improve bile flow, high in Vitamin C
• Ginger – helps with gas, stimulates digestion, relaxes intestinal tract
• Lemon Water – stimulates stomach acid production which is necessary for digestion
• Dark Leafy Greens – like spinach, chard, kale, collard greens for fiber

Therapeutic Foods for Fat Digestion & Absorption:

• Beets – folate and manganese support gallbladder function which is necessary for the digestion of fat
• Radishes – also high in sulfur, can improve bile flow, high in Vitamin C
• Coconut Oil – a medium chain fatty acid, which is easier for the body to digest as it doesn’t require bile. Also is an anti-microbial.
• Lemons – help to thin bile and improve digestion
• Dandelion – supports bile flow, liver congestion, and gallstones. Dandelion greens are in season in the spring or you can also try dandelion tea.

If you are interested in digestion, gut health, and the microbiome check out this free 8-page guide.

Do you have experience with using foods therapeutically? Would love to hear from you in the comments! Please also reach out if you have any questions.

Sources:
Nutritional Therapy Association Student Materials, Nutritional Therapy Association, 2018
Ballantyne, S. (2019, June 7). Repairing the Gut ~ The Paleo Mom. Retrieved from https://www.thepaleomom.com/repairing-gut/