Fall Fiber Changes
As the leaves begin to change, so do our food preferences. It is normal and beneficial to change your food choices as the seasons change, eating with the seasons. This is personally my favourite time of the year, the cooler weather, the beautiful colours, and soup season! In seasons with these changes come the rich flavours of the root vegetables, squash and pumpkins, and cruciferous vegetables. These fiber rich and flavourful foods help support the body in many ways; gut health, immune health, and pelvic health just to name a few!
Our digestive system is full of all different types of bacteria. The foods that we eat help to fuel this bacteria, especially if we are eating a variety of different foods. The more diverse the bacteria is, the healthier the function of the digestive tract is. Fiber, as we have discussed in previous blog posts, offers many benefits to the body. Feeding the bacteria is one of them, along with helping keep things moving in the bowels to avoid constipation strain. There are also hormones that are made in the digestive system, such as dopamine, the happy hormone. More than 50% of dopamine is made by the bacteria in the digestive tract. There is a strong connection between gut health and how we are feeling mentally. The fiber diversity that comes from fall foods is amazing at supporting these areas of the mind and body.
With the fall seasonal changes also comes cold and flu season, and all the school germs. The bacteria in the gut also plays a large role in the immune system function. With 70-80% of the immune cells being present in the digestive system, there is a strong connection between gut health and immune health. To help support healthy gut bacteria, eating the in season fibrous foods can help.
The support that these fall foods gives to the body also helps support a healthy pelvic floor. In addition to the vitamin and mineral support for the connective tissues and muscles in the pelvic floor, they also support healthy bowels and keep things moving. This helps lessen stress on the pelvic floor with constipation. The pelvic floor is also supported by many phytonutrients and antioxidants that are found in the various coloured vegetables that are so vibrant this time of year.
There are many great ways to incorporate the seasonal fiber foods into your diet, your body will thank you in many ways. With support for gut bacteria, boosting your immune system, and also supporting the pelvic floor, eating a diversity of fall foods this season offers many whole-body health benefits.
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