It’s SO important to have optimal digestion to get all the benefits from the wonderful nutrient-dense foods you eat. There are actually so many foods that I consider super-foods for the digestive system and my two favorites are fermented foods and bone broths.
Fermented foods
Some common examples are yogurt and kefir. Sauerkraut and kimchi are also wonderful (and good to eat if you can’t eat dairy). Skip the sugary low-fat yogurt and make sure your sauerkraut is raw. An all-time personal favorite of mine is kombucha, which is a fermented beverage which is naturally low in sugar and loaded with B vitamins and probiotics. All fermented foods contain probiotics which are beneficial bacteria and improve digestion and actually also manufacture nutrients like vitamin B12. Good bacteria also help keep bugs and parasites at bay! Fermented foods also contain an abundance of enzymes which further enhances digestion.
Bones broths
They are super-nourishing and incredibly mineral-rich. And here I’m talking about home-made broths and not broth from a can! They also improve digestion and are very healing for the digestive system. Making a bone broth is so easy. Fill a large soup pot three quarters full, add the bones from a whole chicken, add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (this helps draw the minerals out of the bones) and cook covered at a low simmer for 8-10 hours. Using a crock-pot is another option. Discard the bones and use the broth in stews, soups, to cook brown rice or just drink. And yes, chicken broth really does help boost immunity and will help you fight off a cold.
Try some kombucha or sauerkraut, and make a bone broth – your body will thank you!
I shared this information and much more in fabulous Las Vegas on Thursday April 29th at this conference for addiction and mood professionals: Holistic Treatment: Changing the Way We Look at Recovery – Mind, Body and Spirit. My topic was: “Eat Whole Real Food to Accelerate Addition Recovery & Mood Stabilization” and I was thrilled to present this valuable information, because there is a huge nutritional component to addictions and mood.
For more details on this conference and information on my presentation, here are the details https://www.everywomanover29.com/professional.html
Yum, sounds wonderful. I love Kombucha myself – thanks for the reminder. I have to go hunt some down over the weekend.
Trudy, that would explain why after eating homemade yogurt and homemade soup I feel so great. Love making homemade soups from beef, chicken and ham bones and a good scotch broth from lamb bones.
Good for you Lynn.
I can’t believe you mentioned kimchi! When I lived in South Korea, it was everywhere. (You probably know all about its origin though.) Flashback. 🙂
-Carmen
Thanks for this info. I could do the “bone soups” but keep me away from fermented food. Yuck! 😉
Sue Painter
Never thought of cooking the broth with cider vinegar to draw out the nutrients – thansk for the great tips!
You’re welcome – enjoy!
Kefir is one of my favorites! I’ll have to try the others!
Linda
Kombucha is one of my favorites….
Thanks for the dairy free fermented options. Why didn’t I think of sauerkraut?! Sue, can I have yours too? 😉
Grace Heer
Great information! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ellen
I’m going to try the bone broth you suggested!
sounds delicious and just what my body needs.
thanks Trudy!
I knew that I was a small town girl but I have never heard of kefir, kimchi or kombucha. I always learn something new every time I visit your blog. Thanks for sharing : )
I love Kefir!!! It’s also so much fun to make soups from scratch. I’m glad to hear it’s so beneficial to my health too.
Thanks for sharing.
Write on!~
Lisa