How Restricted Diets Are Destroying Your Gut: What You Need to Know

Cut out gluten? Dairy? Sugar? It’s a common practice in the wellness industry to restrict certain foods when you’re experiencing digestive issues. And for good reason – it can feel like the only way you can get relief is by restricting what you eat. But what if this ongoing restriction of food groups is making your digestive symptoms worse? A more varied diet is actually the key to not only better digestive health but also a better relationship with food. We need to change the conversation from ‘I can’t eat that’ to ‘what can I eat?’ And this is where it gets interesting. 

Many people who start off trying to improve their gut health with a restrictive diet end up having a negative relationship with food and a negative body image. But if you have an overall healthy gut microbiome you can enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about weight gain or other negative consequences.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what gut microbiome is, how it affects our health, and what you can do to create a healthy gut microbiome diet. Knowing how it all works will help you be able to listen to your instincts and make good choices when it comes time for dinner or dessert (or both!).

What is the Gut Microbiome?

So what exactly is the gut microbiome, and why should you care about it? The answer is that your gut microbiome controls everything from your immune system to how well your body absorbs nutrients, and it all starts with the food you eat!

Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live inside your digestive tract and help break down food so that your body can absorb nutrients. It also helps to regulate our immune system, protect us from disease, and even influences our mood and behavior. Since your gut needs a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in order to function properly, any imbalance will quickly reveal itself in your general health, with issues such as gastritis, the onset of chronic illnesses, recurrent infections, diabetes, and fatigue.

How to Eat for a Healthy Gut Microbiome

Recent studies have shown that diet plays a significant role in the health and diversity of your gut microbiome. Eating a diet that is high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome and can lead to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria. This can cause inflammation, disrupt digestion, and weaken the immune system. In addition, a poor diet can also lead to a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This can lead to a decrease in the number of nutrients that are absorbed and can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Unfortunately, many modern diets are highly restrictive and geared towards rapid weight loss rather than healthy weight loss. In addition, people who experience digestive issues from certain foods also take the “bandaid effect” route by avoiding those foods, instead of dealing with the underlying issue of an unhealthy digestive system.

Eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods is essential for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. The best foods for gut health include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, which will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. It’s also important to make sure that you’re getting enough probiotics and fiber. Probiotics are good bacteria that are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Eating these types of foods can repopulate the gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria to improve digestion and boost immunity. Research has shown that fiber can also help to promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut and reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and boost immunity.