better
HEALTH
"Digestive enzymes
help make the
digestive process go
more smoothly.”
J
— A N N E VA N BEBER, R.D ., PH.D.
dietitian at Northwestern Memorial
Hospital’s Center for Integrative
Medicine and Wellness in Chicago.
TEA
Tea not only counts toward your
daily water intake—which is key for
digestion—but also was proven in a
recent study to reduce the levels of
the stress hormone cortisol, which
can also seriously affect digestive
health, says Cynthia Sass, R.D., a
dietitian in New York City and co-
author of
The Ultimate Diet Log.
Best digestive teas:
Chamomile,
ginger, and peppermint have long
been recommended to calm the
stomach and relieve bloating, gas,
diarrhea, and indigestion.
FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Fruit and veggies bring more than
fiber to the digestive table—they
also add digestive enzymes that
help break down carbohydrates,
starches, and protein. Some of
these digestive enzymes can
withstand the high acidity of the
stomach and ultimately make the
digestive process go more smoothly,
decreasing the chance of gas,
bloating, indigestion, and cramps,
says Dr. VanBeber.
Best enzym e foods:
Pineapple
and papaya contain a digestive
enzyme called papain that has a
mild soothing effect on the
stomach and aids in digestion of
proteins. Spinach, romaine lettuce,
and seaweed also contain high
levels of digestive enzymes.
Tip :
The heat of canning renders
papain and other enzymes inactive,
so stick with fresh fruits and
vegetables.
FERMENTED BEVERAGES
This is the fun one: booze!
Fermented alcoholic beverages are
believed to stimulate gastric acid
and speed up the emptying of food
from the stomach.
Best digestive beverages:
Wine,
sherry, and beer.
Tip :
Alcoholic beverages that are
distilled as well as fermented, like
rum, cognac, and whiskey, won’t
have the same digestion-aiding
effect. Also, remember: This is
alcohol we’re talking about. As
always, moderation is best.
TUCK
INTO
TUMMY-FRIENDLY
FARE
________________
TEA
Tea d o e sn 't have to be
h o t.
B re w so m e g in g e r
an d se rv e ice d .
FIBER
O n e c u p o f
e d a m a m e h as 6
g ra m s o f fib e r an d
12 g ra m s o f p ro te in .
B u y it fro ze n , th e n
b o il an d sp rin k le
w ith a little salt fo r
a
h ealth y, e a sy
s u m m e r sn a ck .
PROBIOTICS
_________
M ake c rè m e fra îc h e w ith
b u tte rm ilk an d w h ip p in g
c re a m an d se rv e w ith
sw e et fru it d e sse rts.
_______________SPICES
C in n a m o n
is n ’t ju st fo r
d e sse rt.
It m a ke s a g re at
ru b fo r p o rk an d
lam b.
FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES
________
F re sh
p in e a p p le is
p e rfe c t on
its ow n an d
a d d s p izzazz to sa la d s,
sa lsa s, an d sa n g ria s.
A
FERMENTED
BEVERAGES
In su m m e r, lig h te n up
red o r w h ite w in e
by
a d d in g ice an d s p a rk lin g
w a te r fo r a sp ritze r.
202
AUGUST 2010
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