Happy tummy! Top tips to improve digestion

Wouldn't it be lovely if you could just eat like you used to be able to without any trouble? Eating what you want, when you want, without having to rush off to the loo or look like you're about to give birth! Always having to think about whether or not you should be eating something, or constantly trying to figure out what exactly it is that upsets your stomach can start off as a bit boring but can end up causing a lot of stress and eventually ill health. Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and gas are all too common and almost seen as normal as we find that it's the people who aren't intolerant to gluten or dairy that are the strange ones! Those lucky people who can just eat what they want are rare. Trouble is it's too easy to blame the food, especially while it seems fashionable these days to have at least one intolerance.

I remember my client who had to carefully plan and think about everything, even meeting friends for a coffee could be an ordeal. As for going out for a meal! She had to miss out on things quite often and she felt miserable. She had developed IBS and so I had to put together quite a strict diet and lifestyle plan for her as her condition was chronic. She followed the plan that I gave her and thankfully life returned to normal again for her. She was no longer a slave to the loo!

So, here's a list of easy ways to help your tum if you're experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. If they don't improve either visit your doctor or book an appointment with a health professional :-

Stop snacking or grazing; you're not a cow! Try it and see how you feel. Obviously you'll have to make sure you eat enough at meal times.

Don't eat after 6.30 pm

Slowly does it! Chew your food well and don't eat on the go

Avoid stress or learn how to manage it; stress is bad for the tum!

Eat easy to digest meals, simple meals are best made with wholesome ingredients including plenty of fibre. Avoid stale or leftover foods

Include digestive spices such as cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, cardamom and turmeric

Don't guzzle whilst eating; sip a herbal or warm water and keep to a minimum

Let me know how you get on.