What changes have you made to support your gut health? - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Created for Culturelle

We know that our lifestyle and diet have an impact on our overall health and digestion, with energy levels, bloating and even skin irritation all connected to gut health. With this in mind we’d like to know what changes, big or small you’ve made to your overall health, to support your gut health?

• Post your experiences in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw.
• One lucky winner will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here’s what Culturelle has to say:
‘At Culturelle we believe that talking about the gut is still a stigmatized health issue around the world, and by opening up new conversations we can help people understand more about their bodies, the science and what we can all do to support the core of our health’

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

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There is a farm shop I can sometimes get to that does amazing yoghurt. Packed full of all sorts of prebiotic. It's not thst close, so in between I make my own using it as a starter. Not as good, but a reasonable substitute.

I take a probiotic every day and try and incorporate natural yoghurt into my diet daily. I’ve also stopped drinking alcohol and am trying to reduce sugar intake. Plus increasing the range of fruit and vegetables I eat - trying to eat the rainbow!

I’m also trying to stay on top of anxiety and stress as I believe that affects my digestion.

Lastly I’m fairly sure I have a slight intolerance to wheat so I’ve cut down on it.

I go more for prebiotics as I can't tolerate most naturally probiotic foods due to my IBS...jerusalem artichoke, cold potato etc.

Eating more diversity.

I follow Tim Spector’s advice and eat at least 30 different plants a week. I actually started a tally on my phone to check I was hitting it and I am. I think it’s because I toast seeds and nuts and have it with porridge and fruit for breakfast and that adds loads.

I tried to have kefir for a while but found it just went off in the fridge - unless I’ve got stewed rhubarb to eat it with I just don’t bother. Not a fan of sauerkraut or kimchi either unfortunately.

I've started a good relaxing bedtime routine which means I'm sleeping better and I've cut sugar completely out of my diet.

I feel so much better!

I don't do anything specific to aid my digestive system, but I usually eat a fairly balanced diet overall, and don't restrict any food or drink if I want it. I can feel a big difference in my moods and energy if I have multiple days where I eat badly- often when I've eaten out a few days in a row, as I tend to indulge and eat a lot of dishes I wouldn't prepare at home as I recognise how unhealthy they are.

I have a spoonful of Lambert's FOS (chicory root powder) which acts as a prebiotic. It helps me to sleep better, as well as helping my gut

Avoid processed foods as much as possible - though my weakness for chocolate endures
Make kefir and have a kefir smoothie most days
Make sourdough bread and pizza dough
Eat plenty of variety of fruit, veg, nuts and seeds
Eat sauerkraut and/or kimchi regularly
Gave up alcohol

Make my own yoghurt and try and eat mostly home cooked food.

I drink fresh from the farm raw milk and raw kefir

THE best way to get good bacteria despite what culturelle may say 😜

I have recently started taking prebiotics before bedtime to help with sleep patterns and improve immune function. I am also taking probiotics.

I try to avoid sugar and eat as many vegetables as possible. I avoid antibiotics unless essential.

I drink a glass of warm lemon water every morning an hour before breakfast.I also eat plenty of dark green vegtables and less carbs and process food!Lucky for me I hate take away food and prefer to cook!

Guinness and peanuts once a week.

Cut down massively on sugar and dough/pastry. Eating lots more pulses.

I also follow Tim Spector and just ordered the Zoe nutrition box which will analyse my blood sugar and fat and microbiome.

I really struggle with probiotics. They nearly all make my autoimmune condition flare which is odd as it should be the other way around.

I think for probiotics it’s a name bandied around that they are supposed to be “good for you” but truthfully there are many different strains and numbers even within each strain so it’s not a clear but picture.

some probiotics increase histamine and I think that’s where my problem lies.

I recently trialled lacto Plantarum 299v but still I flared on it despite it saying no increase in histamine.

For me it’s the lack of clear science behind the tablets. I’ve looked various ones up on pub med and certainly some do work it would appear but then they aren’t available to buy - well not that specific strain.

for me the strain is really important and the science go back it up. I don’t want a bunch of random Lactobacillus in there. I want to know every single strain and why it’s been chosen.

Some probiotics do create problems and I think it would be wise for brands to be honest about this.

I get all my fermentation from foods instead now. I have even started eating natto.

I eat 30 plant foods a week at least, prunes for osteoporosis and high polyphenolic olive oil I buy from Italy, all for the anti inflammatory effect. I’ve also started sprouting pea shoots to help with my histamine issues.

We make our own kimchi and sauerkraut which is probiotic.
Tastes fantastic and very good for your gut

Lower your stress levels. Chronic high levels of geometry dash lite stress are hard on your whole body, including your gut.
Get enough sleep.
Eat slowly.
Take a prebiotic or probiotic.
Check for food intolerances.
Change your diet.

I used to have stress-induced IBS but since changing job and no longer have to deal with bullying and stressful delays and cancellations on my commute I almost never suffer with it - so I have indirectly improved my gut health but changing my life!

I’m another follower of Tim Spector. I try to hit the 30 plant based foods per week. I have natural yogurt with oats and flax seed most mornings for breakfast, and I start the Zoe nutrition programme in Feb.

I do think I need to do more re fermented foods and will try some Kombucha in the new year as I’m not sure kimchi or sauerkraut are for me.

Lastly, reducing sugar has definitely made my digestion better and my skin clearer.

Honestly, just lots of fruits and veg- variety of colours. I favour wholemeal over wheat products too.

sh*ng more!

I have digestive issues caused by a non functioning gall bladder and I find that a weekly kefir helps with the bloating

I eat loads more different types of fruit and veg, and cut right down on sugar and processed foods.

I take probiotics every day. Avoid white bread and if I overindulge I resort to camomile tea and buscopan.