The importance of the gut microbiome on World Health Day—and every day!

World Health Day is a good reminder of why it’s important to prioritize well-being, and take care of our bodies holistically.  One crucial and often overlooked aspect of overall holistic health is gut health. As people become more aware of the importance of the gut microbiome, we’re paying more attention to the foods we eat and the way they affect our physical and mental well-being. In honor of World Health Day, let's explore how nourishing your gut with low FODMAP plant-based foods can contribute to a healthier you—and even a healthier world.

Why is gut health important?

Gut health matters because of what lives in your digestive system. Let’s take a look at what that actually means. Your gut microbiome is composed of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. These all play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. When the balance of these microbes is disrupted, this can lead to digestive issues and inflammation; it can even affect your mental health. Low FODMAP plant-based foods are gentle on the gut, making them an ideal choice for supporting gut health. 

Can low FODMAP plant-based foods improve gut health?

Low-FODMAP plant-based foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This makes them a top ingredient for improving gut health and an essential part of maintaining  overall health. Incorporating gut-friendly foods into your diet can promote regular bowel movements; it’s also one of the best ways to reduce bloating and gas, and it supports a healthy gut microbiome overall. 

How to boost gut health with low FODMAP recipes

If you’re wondering how to eat a low FODMAP plant-based diet, don’t worry–it doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or variety. At Fody, we believe that lifestyle changes need to be sustainable. In other words, sticking to a boring or flavorless diet plan to improve gut health won’t do that in the long run, because it’s not something most people can keep up over the long term.

Gut-friendly foods aren’t just about the basic ingredients we use (the protein, the veggies, and the carbs). They’re also about the way we add taste to those ingredients, and this is where gut health can be a challenge. You go to the effort of curating your gut-friendly salads to create a healthy meal–but what happens when you season it with inflammatory salad dressings or oils?

Luckily, it’s easy to stay on top of the quality of your condiments and keep your recipes gut-friendly from start to finish. Fody’s gut-friendly condiments and low-FODMAP extra virgin oil selection are designed to add a boost of flavour to all your recipes, without any irritants. Our low-FODMAP sauces and salad dressings come in a variety of flavours, and our low FODMAP plant-based recipes can help you incorporate them into recipes that are delicious, satisfying, and gentle on the gut. From hearty salads to flavorful soups and stir-fries, Fody Foods offers endless possibilities for creating nourishing meals that support digestive health, which means you can enjoy cooking while being mindful of the importance of the gut microbiome.  

Plant-based protein and gut health

Can you eat a low-FODMAP, plant-based diet? Absolutely! Contrary to popular belief, plant-based proteins can provide all the essential amino acids your body needs to thrive, while helping you maintain good digestive health. There are plenty of low FODMAP plant-based protein sources you can incorporate in your diet, like tofu, tempeh, lentils, chickpeas, and quinoa. Get these protein sources from plants into your meals and snacks to support muscle repair, energy production, and overall well-being.

Snacking for gut health

We’ve all been there: you’re eating a gut-friendly diet 90% of the time, but that 10% is doing more harm than good. For many people, this challenge is the result of snacking between meals when we’re hungry, frustrated, or just bored. So what can you do about it?

At Fody, we’re definitely not anti-snack! It’s essential to know how to listen to your body, and to eat when you’re hungry! The important thing to remember when snacking between meals is that you have the opportunity to make choices that will support your digestive health and your gut microbiota. 

Snacking mindfully is a great way to nourish your gut with low-FODMAP plant-based foods. Some of the best low-FODMAP snacks include carrot sticks with hummus, rice cakes with almond butter, or mixed nuts and seeds for a satisfying and gut-friendly pick-me-up throughout the day.

Making sustainable food choices

By choosing low FODMAP plant-based foods, you're not only nourishing your body. You’re also supporting sustainable food systems and building a more sustainable world. Plant-based diets have been shown to have a lower environmental footprint compared to diets high in animal products, making them a more eco-friendly choice. They’re also a good way to nourish your gut health and your overall health while keeping the importance of the gut microbiome in mind! Fody's B-Corp status reflects our commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.

World Health Day, every day

It takes healthier people to build a healthier world, and that starts with taking care of our bodies. That can mean supporting our overall health through exercising and lowering stress, and it can also mean understanding the importance of the gut microbiota and acting–and eating–accordingly. By prioritizing gut-friendly eating with low FODMAP plant-based foods, you can support your overall health and well-being, contribute to a more sustainable future, and celebrate World Health Day every day.

Discover a wide range of low-FODMAP condiments and sauces on our products page, and learn how to use them in our recipes section. Happy World Health Day from Fody!