Digestive Health - What foods might help

A common question I get asked is what foods should be eaten to help with digestion.  

Here are some practical suggestions to try:

• Include natural yoghurt and kefir in your diet. Both are sources of bacteria which can help the balance of bacteria in your gut. This is part of the immune system. If you're not keen or don't suit cows milk then look out for goat's, sheep and even coconut yoghurt.
  
  
• Try eating some pineapple and papaya with or before your meals. These foods contain naturally occurring digestive enzymes (bromelain and papain) which could support the digestive process.
  
  
• Eat bitter leaves, these could help stimulate the gastric juices. Choose leaves that taste bitter and make your mouth water, like chicory and rocket.
  
  
• Eat when you're sitting down, take care to focus on eating and chewing. The body digests foods when its able to 'rest and digest'. This is a physiological process and if you're on the go, moving, maybe on the laptop or being active then your body isn't able to divert its resources towards digestion.
  
  
• If you suspect that certain foods do not suit you, then get guidance from a nutritional therapist to help you find nutritious and tasty alternatives. Reactions to lots of foods might mean your digestion needs some support rather than you are reacting to specific foods.