How to Practice Self-Care Through Nutrition

3. Focus on Your Gut

I’ve spent the last few years dedicated to writing about the new discoveries in nutrition and this is one that I feel may be one of the most important focuses on overall health and nutritional self-care.

Your gut is teeming with bacteria that are incredibly beneficial to various aspects of your health. This is called your gut microbiota and it’s made up of “tens of trillions of microorganisms, including at least 1000 different species of known bacteria with more than 3 million genes (150 times more than human genes).”

Each of our gut microbiota is individual to the person they live within, meaning your microbiota is “like an individual identity card.” Recent studies have found that the health of your gut microbiota — referring to a large diversity and count of bacteria — has been linked to bodily and mental health.

The relationship between gut microbiota and health was most stunning in recent research looking at the connection between the brain and the health of this bacteria. In fact, the recent discoveries that link these two parts of the human body “could lead to new treatments for obesity, eating disorders, and even depression and autism – all of which have been linked to a malfunctioning gut.”

Therefore, eating foods that boost gut health may improve current ailments, while also boosting mental health. This is the perfect mixture for those seeking to promote self-care through nutrition. Foods that boost gut health include fiber-rich plant-based products — such as these Creamy Sweet Potato Noodles with Ginger Tempeh — probiotic-rich plant-based foods — such as these Potato Kimchi Pancakes or this Raw Purple Sauerkraut — and fermented foods — such as this Wakame Soup or these Tempeh Meatballs.

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