Eating to Heal

Eating To Heal Digestive Complaints

The foods we choose to eat can have a huge effect on how our body functions and our overall health. We do not always need to resort to costly and harmful potions or drugs, when there are natural foods available to heal. Listed here are a few common digestive ailments that can be combated with the right nutrition. Words: Nalisha Patel
Constipation
We are all inflicted with this at some stage in our lives. Constipation is increasingly common, especially with our stressful, busy lives. Sometimes eating more fibre and drinking more water just isn’t enough to combat this.
Often when people are trying to modify their diet to live ‘healthier’ or to lose weight, they eliminate good fats and oils. To promote natural peristalsis (bowel contraction) you need to be consuming fats, oils and seeds to help your digestive system along. These are all rich in fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Action task
Sprinkle linseed oil (flaxseed) over cereals, salads and yoghurt and use in most recipes. Linseeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, which is a good oil for your body. Keep refrigerated to stop it from going rancid.
Nibble on sunflower, sesame and poppy seeds throughout the day (in moderation!).
Eat fruits that have seeds in them such as strawberries, kiwifruit and pomegranates.
Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water staggered throughout the day to flush your system and help the seeds and oils do their magic.
Bloating
Discomfort, wind and bloating, with the accompanying tight pants, is not a comfortable way to be!
If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms you may be lacking in adequate digestive enzymes and/or eating the wrong types of foods.
Eating too fast and swallowing air or gulping down your food without chewing, can all contribute to the dreaded bloat. Food that is high in starch, such as biscuits, muffins and rolls, can also be a cause if you eat these on a regular basis.
Action task
When in season, eat a portion of ripe pawpaw about half hour before your main meals. It contains an enzyme called Papain, which is an effective meat tenderiser and aids digestion.
Eat mindfully. You will naturally eat slower and chew more when you are less distracted.
Eat most of your meals well cooked and ease back on raw foods. Steam and peel vegetables, cook fruit and eat more soups. If you choose to eat a salad, drizzle with apple cider vinegar instead of store-bought dressings to take advantage of its digestive properties.
Stomach ache
A cup of tea is a great for relieving stomach ache. Three of the best teas that date back for centuries are ginger, peppermint and chamomile. These teas help relieve gas, cramping and help relax you and your stomach. As they are a warm liquid, they are quickly absorbed into the stomach wall for fast acting relief.
Action task
Brew your favourite tea out of these three ingredients, each morning to kick-start your day. If you have a stomach ache that is accompanied by nausea, ginger tea is very effective. Grate half a teaspoon of ginger into a cup of piping hot water and steep for five minutes. Add lemon or honey to suit your tastes.
Peppermint and chamomile tea can be brewed in the same way, using fresh peppermint or prepared herbal tea bags. Both teas are great throughout the day to ease stress and stomach upsets.
Skin complaints
breakouts, dullness and lacklustre skin
Even as adults we can still experience breakouts and dull skin. The most expensive products won’t always help your skin if you are not feeding your skin from the inside out. Often times an unhealthy digestive system (see all previous ailments) is to blame for any skin eruptions, which come from high stress, eating the wrong foods or general lifestyle decisions.
You can easily utilise natural products from your kitchen to create a healthier body that will eventually shine through on the outside. Note: See a dermatologist if you frequently experience bad skin as you may need some professional help.
Action task
Use apple cider vinegar as a toner for oily and pimple prone skin. Apply up to three times a day using a cotton ball. Apple cider vinegar is also a great tonic to be taken internally. Dilute 10-15 ml in a large glass of water and sip. The taste can take some getting used to!
Aloe vera juice and probiotic capsules can also be taken internally to help your digestive system function better. Both are available at health shops. Take consistently for best results and consult your doctor before trying anything new if you are in doubt.
Continually drink water throughout the day rather than large gulps of water a few times a day. Some studies have shown that water has no effect on pimples or skin, but it is still highly recommended as it helps your body to function better and it keeps you hydrated.
Muscle soreness
Who hasn’t started a new exercise regime to kick-start weight-loss or a healthier lifestyle, only to end up sore a few days later from an over zealous effort to see some changes?
New research has shown that diet can help ease some of the initial discomfort that accompanies exercise.
Action task
Drink up! Drink water before, during and after exercise to keep your blood volume levels up. The more you sweat, the more water you need to replace the lost blood volume, which contributes to less oxygen being delivered to your body and muscles. One theory states that this loss of oxygen to muscles is what causes cramping and soreness.
Eat carbohydrate-rich foods, such as rice cakes, bread and pasta, a couple of hours after exercising to increase glycogen levels in the muscle, which is used up by strenuous exercise.
Both calcium and magnesium work together to promote muscle contraction and relaxation. Either use supplements on a regular basis or consume foods such as chickpeas, nuts and prawns for magnesium and milk, yoghurt and cheese for calcium.