Eating to Diversify your Microbiota

Taking care of our gut health promotes our overall health.

What does a healthy gut look like?

It has a diverse microbiota, meaning it has many different types of good bacteria.

How can you start investing in your gut health today?

Diversifying your diet is such a simple but extremely effective way to diversify your gut’s microbiota.

It’s true that our gut microbiota is partially genetically determined, but similar to many health concerns, our diet, lifestyle, and environment have an even greater impact on the diversity of our microbiota.

Follow these tips to start diversifying your diet and gut microbiota today:

• Eat fermented foods daily:

• Fermented foods are rich in probiotics (aka: beneficial bacteria!)

• Fermented foods include: fermented milk, yogurt and kefir

• Focus on fruits and veggies:

• Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which feeds our good bacteria!

• Legumes, root vegetables, bananas, onions, and garlic are some good choices!

• Enjoy foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids:

• This includes walnuts, flax seeds, and oily fish

• Vary your proteins with animal and plant-based sources:

• Both protein sources offer their own benefits

• Plant-based : legumes, nuts and seeds

• Animal-based: meat, poultry, fish, eggs

• Get your vitamins and minerals:

• Follow the MyPlate recommendations to eat all food groups and get creative with trying different food combinations. Eating a balanced, varied diet ensures you’re getting proper amounts of vitamins and minerals and will ensure a diverse microbiota!