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

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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

I limit bread. I've reduced the amount of rice in my portion and supplement with cauliflower or broccoli rice.

I've also increased exercise and the amount of water I drink each day.

Nairns with stilton is my favourite

my gut has been shot to hell since i had pregnancy triggered gallstones and then gallbladder removal. I doubt there are enough Nairn's oatcakes in the world to help. In hindsight, I do wish they'd lased the buggers instead of taking out the whole thing ...

I try and limit wheat, I love oats!
We try to include some probiotics in our diets, either naturally through yogurt, kimchi or may take a supplement

I try to eat a range of fruit and veg and other non processed food. Doesn't always happen but a healthy gut is something I'm becoming more aware of. I love oat cakes with cheese.

Lots of cereal seems to help

Eat porridge most days and try and eat lots of veg.

Wheat bloats me so I eat oats and rye instead- low sugar granola for breakfast, oatcakes for snacks and rye bread if I fancy a sandwich or toast.

My kids like oat weetabix (oatibix) too.

We really love your choc chip biscuits! They feel like a healthier option and are good at giving slow release energy.

I try to limit bread and have yoghurt every day. I also don't drink coffee or alcohol.

I try and drink lots of water to keep me hydrated and my digestive system ticking over nicely. Natural yogurt as well.

Try to eat lots of vegetables & drink plenty of water

One of he most effective ways of improving gut health is to drink more water!

I drink lots of water and drink Yakut every day

I suffer from IBS, so i hardly eat bread, as GF bread is so expensive, and it falls apart, so i keep to the wraps, and i have to be careful when reading the ingredients, and once a month i have an Colonic Irrigation
which does help. I do miss my bread but i will not eat it as my gut hates it

I chew Mastic Gum tears, eat lots of porridge, fruit and veg, I am largely vegan so only have vegan yogurt but occasionally cheat and eat the real stuff (sooo much nicer).

By paying attention to what I eat.

I have a daily actimel to help my gut & through process of elimination have eradicated (or at least cut down) on the foods that cause me pain. As a result I’m much healthier than I used to be

I consume probiotic yogurt and try to have a healthy diet

A healthy diet and regular oat cake consumption - the cheese ones of course

I try to eat a small portion of sauerkrauts every day - fermented food is rich of probiotic content and sauerkrauts are especially inespensive!

I don’t do anything specifically for my gut but I do try to cook most meals from scratch and stick to healthier foods.

I do try to eat healthy food BUT I am not strict about it as I believe that I have and provide a good balanced diet for my family. We are all different and what works for one does not always work for another. I love Belvita breakfast bars and my husband sticks to Alpen - the children have a variety of cereals to start the day but we all love our fruit and veg and I think that provides a good balance for our guts

daily prune juice and I try to eat healthily but I do have a sweet tooth
I eat oat cakes because I enjoy them
And I enjoy smoothies with extras - some lemon balm or horseradish leaves

I take a daily probiotic, try to eat lots of live culture yogurt and cut down on sugar

I'm pre-diabetic, so follow a low-carb diet, limiting bread, pasta, potatoes and fruit. I eat lots of veg and yogurt x

I eat plenty of fruit and veg and whole grains and try to avoid biscuits and cakes