I'm A Gastroenterologist & This Is My Daily Gut Health Routine

When it comes to maintaining a healthy gut, there's no such thing as instant gratification. Implementing a range of healthy lifestyle measures is critical for gut and overall well-being. While this can look different for everyone, incorporating nutrient-dense foods, movement, and mindfulness techniques are just a few ways to optimize gut health. 

While I enjoy a nice warm brew of organic coffee, I generally limit myself to one cup in the morning. Caffeine can be dehydrating, which can undo any previous water intake.

Breakfast is never part of my morning routine, mainly because I'm not hungry when I wake up. Plus, intermittent eating (a phrase I prefer to intermittent fasting) allows the digestive system plenty of time to rest. Fasting has also been shown to balance the gut microbiome and help promote healthy inflammatory responses1.

Since I don't eat breakfast, I make sure to pack plenty of nutrients into my lunch with one massive salad. 

Though salads can get a bad rap as boring bowls of leaves, I pack mine with nuts, seeds, and a wide range of veggies. The serving of vegetables most people try to eat in one day (four to five) I'm usually able to pack into just one meal. As the microbes in your gut begin to digest the fiber from these vegetables, it helps produce short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids are critical for anti-inflammatory actions in the body and supporting overall health. 

I am not a morning person, so I save my exercise for the evening. Staying physically active is important, and the time of day you choose to exercise does not change the benefits—what matters is keeping it consistent. It's been proved that people who exercise tend to have a more diverse gut microbiome2. 

As mentioned in the beginning, there's no quick-fix for a healthy gut. Key supplements, like pre- and probiotics, can help provide targeted support to the gut microbiome and promote overall digestion, regularity, and abdominal comfort.* However, they thrive when taken in conjunction with healthy lifestyle measures, not in place of them.