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Ten years ago I had enough. Enough of stomach aches, cramping, and bloating. I didn’t have them all the time, but more than I liked. There were times I remember climbing on the bed and laying on my stomach in discomfort until it passed.

These issues were interfering with my day-to-day life. Being a wife and mom to 3 and homeschooling was more difficult when I was feeling less than 100%. I needed to make a change.

It took me a while to realize what was going on with my digestive system because it seemed random. The changes I made didn’t happen overnight, the process was slow for me (I am stubborn and I don’t always like change), but it was well worth it. Maybe you need to listen to your digestive system and give it some care. Here are some habits that have helped me feel better.

1. Make Changes in Your Eating Habits

Pay attention to how you feel after eating. It may take a while to narrow down the foods that upset your stomach or give you a negative reaction. When I was searching for answers, I gave up dairy, artificial sweeteners, refined sugar, and limited my wheat. I learned that dairy was a major trigger for my digestive issues. But it also helped me discover other foods that I hadn’t realized were a problem, like red bell peppers.

Try to make switches to your cooking and baking, if possible. I use Monk Fruit Sweetener or other natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar whenever I can. I would caution you not to use Monk Fruit in place of sugar in sugar cookies. My daughter and I tried that last Christmas, and the cookies turned out like hockey pucks! The natural sweetener does work well with many other baked goods, like biscuits, scones, or cupcakes. I also use raw honey in my whipped cream instead of sugar. You can replace cow’s milk in your cooking and baking for almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.

Also introducing more fiber in your diet can help. Eat more leafy greens, like spinach. I often add spinach to my salad or throw some on my sandwich. Whole grains, like Quinoa, are another way to add in the fiber you need for your digestive system to work at its best.

2. Drink More Water

3. Use Good Quality Supplements and Oils

A Good Rule of Thumb

I found myself wandering in the grocery store one day looking for something I could take to eat on a trip to Chicago. I found a naturally sweetened granola and decided to try it. I noticed a slogan called the 80/20 rule written on the package that made a lot of sense to me:

80% of the time be your healthiest self, 20% of the time indulge-guilt free.

Purely Elizabeth Granola

Even though I try to avoid dairy and sugar because of how they can make me feel, I have come to the place where I have been able to indulge occasionally. Every once in a while I allow myself a cupcake, I love Christmas cookies, and I may have had fettuccini Alfredo recently. If I do indulge or a new issue pops up, I just make sure I use my essential enzyme supplement, my probiotic, or my oils.

I know the struggle is real to stay away from food and drinks that can cause digestive issues- I am right there with you! But I also know the consequences when I don’t eat well. I try to remember how much better I feel when I am taking care of my gut.

What healthy habits to do you want to start making?