How to Maintain a Healthy Gut

Boost your immunity with these simple health hacks and protect yourself against the flu and cold.

As the weather begins to cool and the impending threat of catching COVID-19 increases, now is the right time to protect your body against catching any colds or flus which could make you m ore vulnerable to catching Corona or something else.

Turns out self-isolation is turning into a wonderful thing, allowing people to spend time at home to rest, recharge, chill with their family and pets (who no doubt love that everyone is at home with him – I know my cat is loving having me home every day), and it’s also allowing people to have time to do things like take care of their health better – now that they have the time.

Gut health is vital to optimum health, with more and more research backing up this claim. A simple google search will bring top loads of articles providing key important information on the major part the gut plays in painting health for the body.

From mental health, body weight, skin health and of course management of the immunity, it seems the gut takes care of everything, more than we thought.

With many of us now having more time at home, I thought I would share some interesting ways I found in my research, which will help you manage your gut, protecting it, keeping it in good health, and hopefully protecting you from contracting any flu or cold, especially COVID-19.

Eat a Rainbow Every Day:

Focus on eating a variety of freshly coloured fruits and vegetables daily. This helps to maximise the intake of phytochemical, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. All of which boost the immunity health of the body and the gut.

The pigments which colour many fruits and veggies also provide many protective components, such as orange vegetables provide beta-carotene for the body, which is a precursor for vitamin A which supports immune health. And red veggies contain lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage.

Keep Your Diet Low in Fat:

If you eat a diet which is mostly plant-based, then you are already eating a very low fat diet. That’s a good thing, as you want to reduce the amount of fatty foods you’re intaking to ensure your gut is digesting healthy fats only and not dealing with excess fats found in heavy meats and white goods, like bread and pasta.

Stick to eating lean white meats like chicken and fish and serve with a heathy dose of veggies on the side of a mixed rainbow. That way you are providing your body with lower fatty foods whilst also boosting your immunity eating whole foods and delicious veggies filled with minerals and vitamins.

Stay Hydrated with Herbal Teas:

This is really a no brainer for staying healthy. Staying hydrated with plenty of water and herbal teas keeps the kidney clean the liver clear and will also flush any toxins from the gut, keeping it healthy and strong.

If you get tires of drinking water, that’s when herbal teas come in. As long as they are caffeine free, herbal teas make a great replacement for plain water, keeping you interested in drinking more. You can make your own from fresh ginger, lemon and honey. Or pop into your supermarket and stock up on a variety of interesting ones which can either be served hot or cold.

I find the fruity ones are great served in cold water with a few ice cubes – a natural home made ice-tea with no added nasties.

Eat More Mushrooms and Nutritional Yeast:

Mushroom and Nutritional Yeast both contain compounds called beta glucans, both of which show great promise for keeping the immune system healthy. Numerous studies have shown both of these can help the body to enhance natural killer cell activity which fight infected cells.

Beta glucans have also been known to fight naturally against pathogens too, making it a great ingredient to add into any diet to help protect the body against flus and colds.

Try To Stress Less:

Yes, it; ls difficult not to stress under the current climate of uncertainly. Whether that be regarding your work, your job, money and anything else being affected by COVID-19. However, I have every bit of confidence in the government that they are doing what they can to protect all Australians, much like other governments in other countries are doing also.

And isn’t that saying something. Four years ago, there is no way I would have stated I trust the government will protect us. But now, I have every faith they are doing the right thing by us. So try and stress less. Use the time at home (or if you’re working part time and causally) to appreciate that self-isolation and social distancing may actually not be a bad thing.

I don’t know about you, but I have actually found the whole social distancing thing to be rather refreshing. People are nicer to one another, no one is pushing anymore at the check out aisles of supermarkets and I when I do need something from Kmart, there are no massive crowds to deal with. I am in an out in minutes with my essential items and back home in under half an hour. Safe and sound.