Tips for keeping your digestive system healthy

Your digestive system processes the food you eat to provide your body with the energy and nutrients you need while removing waste. Keeping your digestive system healthy can help prevent problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids, heart burn, diverticulitis and colon cancer. Here are some key steps you can take to keep your digestive system healthy:

Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods

Dietary fibre promotes regularity by helping to move waste material through your digestive system. Enjoy more fibre-rich whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruit, and legumes like dried beans, peas and lentils.

Start slow and drink plenty of fluids

Add fibre to your diet gradually and drink plenty of fluids to prevent feeling bloated or constipated. Increasing your fibre intake too suddenly and without sufficient fluids may lead to constipation.

Get your body moving more often

Regular physical activity helps keep food moving through the digestive system well. Try taking short walks during the day and use the stairs instead of elevators to fit physical activity into your busy schedule.

Eat at regular intervals throughout the day

Eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day will help promote the passage of food through your digestive system. Take time to eat regular meals and snack even if you are having a hectic day.

Answer when nature calls

An important way to help prevent constipation is to respond when nature calls. As waste material sits in your large intestine, water is slowly removed from it, leading your stool to become firmer and more difficult to pass with time. The sooner your body can eliminate waste material, the softer your stool will be.

Avoid foods that cause you digestive upset

Some people may not tolerate certain types of food such as spicy, fatty or fried foods. Caffeine may also cause digestive upset in some. If you experience digestive upset when you eat certain foods, you may want to try to limit or avoid those foods. If you avoid foods due to digestive upset, speak to your doctor to explore possible causes of your symptoms. A dietitian can advise you on how to maintain a balanced diet while avoiding foods that cause you digestive upset.

See your doctor regularly

Be sure to discuss any digestive problems you experience with your doctor. Your doctor can help monitor and manage any changes in your digestive health