How do you keep your gut healthy? Find out what Mumsnet users told Nairn’s Oatcakes

[AaronMumsnet]

NOW CLOSED

Many of us are becoming more aware of how our gut can affect our overall wellbeing and the importance of taking care of it in order to stay healthy and happy. The majority of us have all been there when bloating and/or indigestion strikes, and this is why Nairn’s would love to hear your tips for maintaining good gut health.

Here is what Nairn’s have to say: “We’d like to think we know a thing or two about the superfood that is oats – we’ve been baking with them for over 100 years. We know how good oats are for your gut and we know that gut health as a topic is no flash in the pan either!

Oats are one of the foods that can help keep our gut healthy. They’re high in gentle fibre, which not only helps us stay regular, but also ‘feeds’ the friendly bacteria in the gut and helps keep the gut lining healthy. Oatcakes in particular can also be a good alternative to wheat-based products such as cereals and breads to keep our gut happy, as wheat can trigger digestive problems for some. The topic itself can be a bit daunting to the less familiar, so it makes sense for us to work with some lovely experts to help us spread that Good Gut Feeling in a simple, accessible, achievable way. Our website covers a number of Good Gut Health areas including The Family, Fitness and Managing a Free From Diet so do drop by and check them out. In the meantime, don’t be shy, and please share your own tips and tricks – they’ll really help others, and we can’t wait to hear them.”

What are your go-to and no-go foods and drinks when it comes to maintaining a healthy gut? How have you been eating oats outside of your morning porridge? If you already eat oatcakes, how do you eat yours? How do you encourage your family to follow in your footsteps? Did you find you had any digestive problems when you were/are pregnant and how did you deal with this? Or maybe you noticed some surprising benefits to keeping your gut health in check (e.g. a new-found spring in your step or blemish-free skin)?

Whatever your advice for maintaining a healthy gut, share your experiences on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list) and a bumper box of Nairn’s Oatcakes.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[SusanWalker]

I limit bread to once it twice a week as I find it very bloating. I eat crackers or oatcakes instead. I think it's the yeast rather than the wheat. I also sometimes have a probiotic yogurt drink. Apart from that I try to eat healthy meals with not much heavily processed food.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I probably don’t do enough. I suffer from mild IBS symptoms but am too frazzled to put much effort into sorting it. I do find that cutting out dairy has helped though, I cut it out when breastfeeding my dairy allergic son and can see a pattern now that my symptoms are worse when I have a lot of dairy. I try to eat a decent amount of fruit and veg, but that is probably undone by the amount of caffeine I drink to survive!

[tigga61]

ive cut down on all carbs and now eat a more varied diet including lots of fruit and veg, i also have natural yoghurt as part of my diet to help my immune system.

[colleenw]

I try and avoid processed foods where possible. The kids aren't always fans of the meals I cook but limiting our intake of convenient food and takeaways is a way of trying to look after myself and family.

[SillyMoomin]

I try to "flush out" the gut each morning with a glass of hot water and half a lemon squeezed in. I feel that it's making my insides squeaky clean!

[Firewall]

I definitely don't do enough! We never thought of eating oat cakes but looks like we should try!
We have a probiotic drink every day which we hope is good for the gut!

[FlaviaAlbia]

I love Nairn's

Nothing specific, but we cook from scratch and try to make sure we have a balanced diet.

[BristolMum96]

I just try to eat healthy well rounded meals. No special ingredients or products. Just a good balance of home cooked food.

[Salmonpinkcords]

I noticed a real difference when I cut out bread and increased the variety of fruit and veg.
I do eat oat cakes And whenever I feel like a biscuit I try to have an oat cake instead

[HALA]

I include garlic in my meals, which has good bacteria. I also have natural yogurt. Last but not least, I start the day with hot water and lemon.

[alijchappell]

I have porridge most days and a yogurt everyday. I don't drink coffee and very rarely drink alcohol. I eat a lot of fruit and veg and limit the amount of fat, sugar and carbs in my diet.

[turkeyboots]

I have IBS and follow the Fodmap diet. I'd strongly recommended seeing a dietian. Was a revelation to find all the healthy eating advice was what was making me worse! Onions, garlic, apples, peas and beans are all out for me along with lots of other fruit and veg. As are gluteny things and lactose.

Oats and oatcakes are my go to snack these days. Plus side am thinner and not in pain. But I miss 🎂!

[1969angep]

I do enjoy my porridge but in warmer months I usually end up grabbing cereal (often oat based granolas) or wholemeal toast. My gut is reasonably well behaved unless I overdo it on sugar. Cake always upsets me and I have to be very careful generally about other sweet treats. I retry and stick to natural sugars with fruit if I need a boost. I do like to whizz up a smoothie with lots of ice in this hot weather and always include a mix of fruit and leafy green veg!

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

I’m a great believer in having a wide variety of food. I love Nairn’s oatcakes as a lunch snack. We eat lots of fruit veg and pulses and I tend to cook most things from fresh ingredients which I like to think keeps us healthy and happy. I drink peppermint tea if I have a tummy upset as it’s s great remedy to ease cramps,

[Shoom72]

limit bread and pasta and I make a smoothie with kefir daily and after meals have a peppermint tea.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'm a 20 year veteran of coeliac disease, so for me good gut health is all about avoiding wheat/barley/rye and only eating certified GF oat products like the fab Nairns GF oatcakes. I can't have too many oats generally, so only have one portion a day, but am very fond of cheese oatcakes especially with chutney.

[BaconCrispsGone]

Bio yoghurt, try and eat wholegrain, not too much white bread, dairy or sugar

[mandes1]

Apparently most of our immune system is based in the gut so I am a stickler for making sure we have the right nutrition - especially after a few health scares.

Kefir is great for the whole family's gut health so I use this in baked goods such as scones etc.

i also make the whole family a shake with: Kefir, almond milk, banana, maca powder, turmeric and cinnamon.

As well as that I ensure the children take a probiotic daily. I have been doing this for around 2 years and the three of them haven't taken a day off school since for stomach bugs or colds.

They also have an apple a day which is good for digestion.

I do follow a gluten free diet, but I would say the children are around 80% there with this one.

[lorka]

Love Nairns oatcakes!
We try to have well balanced meals and I cook dinner from scratch most nights as well as eating lots of fruit and vegetables throughout the day.

[frumpyheron]

I had IBS and did an exclusion diet to figure out my trigger foods. My gut has recovered now but if I’m feeling a bit bloated then I know to cut down on gluten and dairy.
I have an almond milk and fruit smoothie each morning and I often choose oats as an alternative to flour in pancakes or for healthy baked snacks.

I got into Nairn’s whilst sorting my IBS and love them as a healthy snack, as does my toddler! My go to thing to grab when I’m out, and always happy when they’re an option near a checkout rather than chocolate!

[ShatnersBassoon]

Probably not enough; as I get older, things don't seem to regulate themselves as well as they used to. I do eat oats, yogurt and plenty of vegetables, but I could do with cutting out more of the things that hinder digestion.

[malisa]

I used to got often bloated but now due to significant changes in my diet I am a lot better. I have limited eating of bread,cakes and sweets, instead of that I am eating wholemeal products and drinking smoothies and water. I love fruits and vegetables in my diet too. Narns oatcakes are my favourite and perfect to eat as a snacks with different toppings. I spread on top of my oatcake fat free soft cheese and sliced cucumber or chopped celery with tomato. I do my own tuna pate and bean salad which is perfect to have with oatcakes. I am trying to maintain balanced diet which keeps me going and allow me to keep energy level through the day.

[deste]

I eat a healthy diet, lots of fruit and vegetables and cooking from scratch. Everything in moderation. I eat porridge but usually only in winter. I don’t eat biscuits but I do eat oatcakes or crackers. I eat them with cheese and onion chutney but I also eat them with plain if I am hungry before or after I’ve eaten.

[Sametak]

I try to eat healthily
Limit wheat and cows milk
Eating porridge and oatcakes, rice cakes and plenty of fresh veg and fruit, eggs and bit of meat and fish
Including more of fermented food rather than expensive probiotics which give me bout of diarrhoea

[Fluffykins2014]

With kefir I start my day
To keep the tummyache at bay.
Oats or eggs will help me going
Until lunchtime without slowing.
Snack on oatcakes, nuts and cheese -
I get energy from these.
Lunch of veggies, meat and fruit
Does my tummy only good.
Lots of water for hydration,
And a latte (guilty passion).
Something sweet, a little treat,
Makes me feel bit more upbeat.
With a light meal I will dine,
And will raise a glass of wine.

Love your pepper oatcakes by the way!