Give Your Gut Some Love
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When we’re stressed out, we tend to reach for highly processed, carbohydrate-heavy foods because our bodies want quick energy. But did you know your gut is a reservoir for feel-good neurotransmitters (like serotonin); and processed foods diminish them? To maintain healthy levels of serotonin and combat stress, your gut needs whole foods.
Eating plant-based foods can help buffer stress from the inside out. It’s up to you to create an environment in your gut where serotonin can thrive. Starting today, add more of these foods into your diet:
- Beans
- Fruits
- Greens
- Raw nuts and seeds
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
To ensure your meals are more plant-based, try one of these ideas:
- Replace one animal-protein-heavy meal with a salad or veggies
- Spiralize zucchini or other vegetables to use in place of noodles
- Use nondairy milk in your coffee, smoothie, or breakfast cereal
- Add fresh fruit to your pancakes or cereal
- Add beans to your meals, like in a vegetarian chili or lasagna
For more inspiration, see how #healthynurse Trey Bennett, MSN, BSN, RN, NP, DipACLM, adjusted his diet to include more wholesome foods.
Are you enjoying the challenge so far? Share your experience in our challenge update thread here, in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram (tag us with #healthynurse!).
Find this helpful? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share this with a nurse you know!
Missed day 2? Catch up here. Join us on day 4.
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Challenge Tips
04/12/2023 9:03am CDT
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