3 Tips to Champion Your Digestive System: Not Diet Related

Three Free Things You Can Do Today to Improve Digestion (That Don’t Involve Your Diet)

As someone who has experienced years of chronic dieting, with periods of going on and off very restricted diet plans, I still have a little PTSD. The word “diet” makes me cringe, even though I now understand it refers to the foods we eat. I haven’t completely undone the association with going on and off “diets.” So, it’s refreshing to know there are non-diet-related things we can do for our digestion and overall health, especially when they are free and can be implemented right away.

I want everyone to realize that healing through food and natural means is accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are on their journey. Sometimes, you may not be in a place to change your diet, and that’s okay. There are still things you can work on that can have a great impact on your digestion and health.

Today, let’s discuss three non-diet-related free things you can do to improve digestion, starting with your next meal.

1. Chew Your Food

This may sound obvious, but many of us don’t actually chew our food well. Did you know our tongues are there to help prevent food from sliding down our throats before it’s chewed well enough? We’ve become accustomed to eating in a rush or while distracted, turning chewing into more of an automatic task than one we’re consciously aware of.

Chewing is crucial for proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. If we don’t chew our food adequately, even the healthiest food might not actually be serving us. “Chew your liquids and drink your solids.”

– Chewing stimulates saliva production, including enzymes that begin the breakdown of our foods.

– Chewing breaks our food down into small enough pieces to be properly handled during the upcoming stages of digestion.

– Chewing gives the rest of our digestive system time to fire up.

If you suffer from any digestive discomfort, chewing is a great place to start and can provide immediate relief for some issues.

So, chew, chew, chew your food so it can slide gently down your throat.

2. A Moment of Gratitude Before Your Meal

I won’t lecture you on all the benefits of practicing gratitude, but I will tell you how it can help with your digestion.

When we immediately jump into eating a meal, especially if it’s one we didn’t prepare ourselves, we haven’t given our digestive system time to fire up. Think of your digestive system as an oven—it needs time to preheat! Taking a moment to pause before eating, giving thanks for our food, saying a prayer, or simply engaging our senses and becoming present to the meal we’re about to enjoy can provide serious digestive benefits.

Some things you could try:

– Give thanks for the meal before you, getting specific. Thank the hands that picked the produce, the grocery store where you bought your ingredients, and the hands that prepared the meal.

– Tell your body what it’s about to eat. For example, describe a homemade chicken soup made with bone broth, loads of garlic, and local farm-raised chicken.

– Engage your senses—see the food, touch it, smell it, and listen to it.

3. Drink More Water

Did you know water is one of the key supplements your body needs for proper digestion, and not just digestion, but overall digestive health? It helps keep mucosal linings and intestines well-lubricated. Staying hydrated is key to good hydration. However, this doesn’t mean chugging a bunch of water right before, during, or after your meal. That can dilute your stomach acid and hinder digestion. Instead, stay hydrated throughout the day. The benefits of water extend far beyond digestion, but it’s good to have a concrete motivator to stay well-lubed up.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Eat When Anxious or Stressed

Another tip to help with digestion is to avoid eating if you are in an anxious or stressed state. When your body is in fight or flight mode, it doesn’t have the resources to properly digest your food. So, make sure you are eating in a calm, non-stressed setting!

Good digestion is foundational to good health. Poor digestion plays a key role in many ‘dis-ease’ states. We’ve known this for over 5,000 years, turning to the ancient wisdom of our Eastern Medicine traditions such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If you are struggling with any health issue, digestion is a great place to put some love and energy into.