Summer is a time of wonderful food and sizzling BBQ’s. Yet this can be a tricky time of year for digestion when you have IBS. So here are some ways you can boost your digestion, including using apple cider vinegar and herbs for IBS:
Alternative salads
Although they are supposed to be healthy, foods like lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber can be really hard on your digestion and your IBS.
So eating these, in an attempt to get more nutrients and “hoping for the best” is not be your best option.
Look out for tasty alternatives that you can digest better. You will have to test what works best for you, but consider alternatives like cooked potato salad, cooked veg in a cooked pasta salad, cold quinoa, diced cooked beetroot, sweetcorn, grated carrot with parsley, a few chickpeas, olives, walnuts.
If you buy these in ready to eat forms, they may include other additives that can trigger you, and be much less nutritious.
So try to buy organic, and make them from scratch. Then you know what you are eating!
Alternative salad dressing
Can you digest shop-bought salad dressings? (I certainly couldn’t!) You may find that you find industrial thickeners and stabilisers hard on your stomach.
Why not try out this tasty alternative made with apple cider vinegar?
Whay can apple cider vinegar ne good for IBS?
Because it is known to help break down protein and as an antimicrobial.
So apple cider vinegar dressing is especially useful on a salad to boost your digestion with barbecued meats. It’s really quick and easy to make!
You’ll just need:
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- A few drops of maple syrup to sweeten the dressing to taste (optional)
- A dash of ground pepper and/or paprika
Put these into a jar and shake well. And voilà! (Keeps for 5 days in a refrigerator.)
Herbs to boost digestion
Herbs have been used for centuries to improve digestion. Yet many of us are not using them anymore.
One of these herbs is thyme. The effects of the thymol it contains are mentioned in different IBS-related research papers as being beneficial in fighting Candida.
Origano is one of the herbs used to treat SIBO by Dr. Allison Siebecker, a SIBO researcher and specialist.
Rosemary and basil are reputed for their excellent antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. In other words, they are good for your digestive tract!
All of these herbs are great to use for barbecues. Just add a few sprigs to your marinades, or directly onto the meat, fish or grilled veg.
You can use dried herbs too. I personally prefer to have some fresh growing in the garden near the front door, so I remember to use them!
What if IBS wasn’t just about diet?
Food choices can certainly be beneficial. However It was not by tweaking diet that I reversed 25 years of IBS.
I had to get to the IBS triggers that kept my IBS flare-ups going – and release those.
What if you could, like me, eat everything what you fancy and digest it? With no limitations and no pain.
If you are truly sick of IBS, why not work with me and get yourself a life of freedom?
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