How Do Home-Delivered Meals Support Digestive Health?

Proper digestion is essential for maintaining overall health and wellness. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), “Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which your body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair.” Illness, injury, chronic diseases, genetics, environmental factors, or unhealthy lifestyle choices may negatively affect how the body absorbs nutrients. Home-delivered meals from LifeSpring Home Nutrition support digestive health by ensuring people can access nourishing meals that meet their dietary needs.

The Importance of Digestive Health

Digestive health has a direct impact on every system in the body. Without proper nutrients, the mind and body cannot function properly. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “About 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).” Individuals with unhealthy diets may also experience digestive issues. Eating a balanced diet is one of the most reliable preventative measures people take to protect their digestive health.

A healthy digestive system is tasked with the following functions:

• Maintaining healthy bacteria and other microorganisms
• Supporting the immune system
• Removing waste
• Absorbing essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
• Breaking down foods

Eating fresh whole foods in addition to the enriched meals delivered by LifeSpring Home Nutrition can increase digestive health by ensuring the body receives the optimal combination of vitamins and minerals. Optimal digestive health protects the body against infection, age-related health issues, and preventable diseases.

What Medical Conditions Affect Digestion?

Many health issues affect how the body digests food. Some of the medical conditions impacting digestion include:

• IBS
• GERD
• Celiac disease
• Lactose intolerance
• Cancer
• Hiatal hernia
• Peptic ulcer
• Crohn’s disease
• Pancreatitis

Some religious, cultural, or personal dietary restrictions may also impact digestion by causing malnutrition or other side effects. Malnutrition impacts gut, colon, and intestinal health. If left untreated, malnutrition has the potential to cause severe illness, injury, or death.

How Does Digestive Health Affect the Gut Microbiome?

The gut microbiome includes a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms called microbiota. Beneficial microbiota use digested food to create short-chain fatty acids essential to gut health and the immune system. Microbiota increase the effectiveness of the digestive system. Many people do not eat enough nutrients to support gut health.

Some of the potential factors impacting gut health include:

• Physical and psychological stress
• Sleep quality
• Physical activity
• Emotional stability

Home-delivered meals reduce emotional and physical stress by providing people with convenient meals throughout the week. LifeSpring Home Nutrition has a registered dietitian (RD) available to provide nutritional education, support, and guidance to individuals managing complex or chronic health issues affecting their digestion. People can receive the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and delivery options.

What Is the Gut-Brain Connection?

The gut-brain axis (GBA), called the gut-brain connection, links digestive health to cognition and emotional wellness. According to Integrative Medicine, “The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network that links the enteric and central nervous systems,” which includes the following:

• Endocrine, humoral, metabolic, and immune systems
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
• Nerves within the gastrointestinal tract

The gut-brain connection is affected by the foods and drinks people consume. Ensuring meals contain good bacteria and other microorganisms positively affects digestion. Foods with probiotics, including yogurt, are an excellent source of healthy nutrients. A balanced diet is the best way to maintain a healthy gut-brain axis.

How Does LifeSpring Home Nutrition Support Digestive Health?

LifeSpring Home Nutrition understands the importance of a healthy diet. Digestive health affects every aspect of a person’s life, including their ability to avoid future health issues. The meal preparation team at LifeSpring Home Nutrition uses high-quality ingredients to create delicious and nourishing frozen meals for people to enjoy throughout the week. Various meal options ensure people can access the foods best suited to their specific dietary and digestive needs.

Best Foods for Digestion

Everyone’s digestive system has different needs based on various factors, including genetics and the environment. Consulting with a medical professional or RD provides people with important information about what their diet may be missing and how to improve their digestive health. Medical professionals may encourage clients to eat foods that help the digestive system function better.

Some of the best foods for digestion include:

• Leafy vegetables
• Low-fructose fruits
• Legumes
• Berries
• Whole grains
• Lean meats
• Seafood

Fiber is critical for good digestion and keeps the digestive system clear by forcing out waste. Whole grains and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber and promote gut health. Studies have shown that over half of all adults do not eat the recommended amount of fiber. Unfortunately, a lack of fiber in a person’s diet increases their risk of preventable disease. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers fiber-rich foods to support healthy digestion.

Digestive health plays an essential role in managing various body systems and a person’s overall ability to function. Taking steps to prevent or address digestive issues helps people avoid potential chronic or recurring health conditions. Everyone’s dietary needs differ depending on multiple factors, including their ability to access nutritious foods and any co-occurring health issues. Home-delivered meals fill the gap in healthcare by ensuring people have access to the nutritious meals they need to maintain a healthy digestive system. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers medically tailored meals (MTMs) and other personalized meal options to ensure people receive the types of foods they need to improve digestion. To learn more about our services, call our office today at (800) 798-5767.