Love your gut and treat it right
Thanks to a summer full of celebrations and hopefully nice weather it seems that our guts are going to be suffering at our expense.
Research carried out by Gutweek.org.uk (June 25 - July 1) has found that over half of the population expect their diets to be disrupted in the coming months.
This year's Gut Week is dedicated to providing digestive health advice during a busy summer of indulging on-the-go and eltered eating habits.
Dr Nick Read, gastroenterologist, psychotherapist and chair of The IBS Network comments:
"Processed foods, such as hot dog and burgers are packed with saturated fat and nitrates, which, especially if eaten with alcohol, may cause nausea, bowel upset and pain. If consumed on a regular basis, this type of diet may be implicated in serious stomach and bowel conditions.
"Where possible try eating carbohydrates that don't contain much fat, such as fruits like oranges, apples and strawberries."
The research also shows that one in ten will put their regular healthy eating habits on hold during the summer of celebration and a third of us are planning to eat foods on-the-go.
Tom Smith, Chief Executive, Core, adds: "As people are already expecting their usual diet to be disrupted, it'd be beneficial to start choosing and planning the aternative foods they could enjoy, now, for the rest of the busy summer."
The study also found that almost three quarters of those with digestive health problems don't know which foods they should avoid to help improve their digestion.
Gut Week, now in its 14th year, is organised by national digestive health charities Core and IBS Network, in conjunction with Yakult, and aims to help people understand the importance of good digestive health.
This year, celebrity chef Phil Vickery will be helping to educate the public on the importance of eating well and providing helpful healthy food swaps to see us through a summer of eating on-the-go.
Tagged in Phill Vickery Health Nutrition Healthy Body Healthy eating