As 2022 has come to a close, many of us have started creating resolutions for 2023. 

Many people will be determined to exercise more, get organised, or save more money - though, for the new year, we’d suggest taking a different approach. Instead of setting the same, cliche new year's resolution, why not shift the focus to your gut health?

If you’re looking for ways to step up your gut health in 2023, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ve listed 7 new years resolutions to support your gut. Find out more below.

Start Taking Probiotics 

If you’re looking for an excuse to start taking a daily probiotic, perhaps the new year could be the motivation you need to get started. After all, one of the best things you can do for your gut health is to start taking probiotics.

Probiotics help to rebalance your microbiome with good bacteria, which can ease discomforts, support immunity, and encourage a healthy gut. 

For a more effective probiotic, we’d suggest grabbing a probiotic drink - since they create the ideal conditions for living probiotics to thrive as you consume them. Also, aim for a probiotic with a target release and micro-shield feature (both of which can be found in the Perkii Probiotics range). 

Limit Artificial Sweeteners

Another great gut-related resolution for your new year would be to ditch those nasty artificial sweeteners. Not only are they bad for your weight, mental health, and heart - but they can also wreak havoc on the gut.

Higher consumption of sugar can negatively impact the microbiome by triggering pathogenic bacteria to grow and throwing the whole system out of balance. This effect can also lead to sugar cravings - which can further exacerbate the issue. 

Especially if you’re known to have a sweet tooth, consider limiting your artificial sweeteners in the new year. This could be by eating more fruits, swapping soda for water, or limiting your servings. 

Eat More Vegetables

Eating more vegetables is a great way to step-up your gut health in the new year.

First and foremost, loading your plate up with an assortment of vegetables can help you to feel fuller for longer - which means you won’t feel the need to indulge in sweets or fatty meats. 

Adding more vegetables into your diet can also help good gut bacteria to flourish. Since these foods are packed with fibre, the bacteria in your gut will help to break these nutrients down - which will help them to grow and positively balance the microbiome. 

Try Chewing More 

This one might sound like a strange new years resolution, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Slowing down and chewing more can be a simple way you can immediately support your gut health. 

By chewing your food for longer, you’ll make the digestive process and nutrient absorption much easier for your gut - which can help maximise the process. Not to mention, this will also reduce any discomfort after your meals. 

Focus On Hydration 

As important as adequate hydration is, it tends to slip our minds - especially for anyone with a busy lifestyle. Though to keep our gut in tip-top shape, it’s worth making your water intake a priority in the new year. 

Drinking enough water helps to support the mucosal lining of the intestines, which assists with digestion, nutrient absorption, and rebalancing the good bacteria in your gut. 

Though, this begs the question - how much water should you be drinking? The exact amount will vary from person to person, but it’s suggested to consume about 8 glasses of water daily.

Investigate Food Intolerances 

Have you ever noticed that certain foods tend to upset your stomach or make you feel bloated? If so, you might have an underlying food intolerance.

Food intolerances can cause a variety of symptoms after consumption, including headaches, belching, gas, nausea, and more. If you’ve experienced these symptoms after eating specific foods, it might be worth taking action in the new year.

Consider booking an appointment with your dietitian and getting to the bottom of things. 

Reduce Stress 

Feeling a little stressed? If so, this new year might be your perfect opportunity to take some time and learn to manage it - not only for your mental health but your gut health too.

When we’re feeling stressed, our digestive process can slow down and trigger issues such as constipation and bloating. Not to mention, this effect can also lead to an imbalance and cause inflammation.

To help keep your stress levels at a minimum, a great place to start is to identify triggers that cause anxiety and find a new way to approach them. You can also try meditating, exercising, or chatting with a friend. It might sound simple, but these steps will go a long way toward supporting your gut health in the new year. 

*The information in this article is opinion only, and any advice provided is designed for those with no healthcare issues. Before adjusting your diet, speak with your healthcare professional.