You Are Not What You Eat, You Are What You Absorb
Hello & Namaste! Welcome back to Fabulous Body, I’m Akash. Today we are going to talk about an interesting concept that I came across some time back: You are not what you eat, you are what you absorb!
Sounds interesting, right? Let’s break it down! Now, don’t get me wrong, what you eat is super important. But the food you eat has to go through a process in your body before it can actually benefit you.
If your body can’t absorb the nutrients, it doesn’t matter how healthy you eat. All those greens, fruits, and proteins won’t make much of a difference if your body isn’t able to break them down and use them properly.
So, what does that mean for you? Let’s dig deeper.
Okay, so imagine this. You’ve just eaten a big, healthy salad with all the fixings like kale, avocado, seeds, the works.
It’s packed with nutrients, right? But here’s the thing. Your body has to digest that food before it can absorb anything from it.
Now, This starts in your mouth with chewing, but most of the work happens in your stomach and small intestine.
If your digestion isn’t working properly, whether it’s because of stress or poor gut health, you’re not breaking down those nutrients enough for your body to absorb them.
Now let’s talk about your gut.
Nutrient Absorption
The bacteria in your gut play a huge role in how well you absorb nutrients. If your gut is out of balance, maybe because of too much of processed food, antibiotics, or even stress, you could be missing out on key vitamins and minerals.
A healthy gut has plenty of good bacteria that help break down food and absorb nutrients. But if the bad bacteria take over, it can lead to something called gut dysbiosis, where your digestion and absorption aren’t as efficient.
So, think of your gut as the gatekeeper for all the good stuff you eat!
Alright, so how can we make sure we’re not just eating healthy foods, but absorbing all the goodness too?
Practical Tips To Boost Your Absorption
1. Chew Your Food Well
I know, I know. It sounds basic, but chewing your food properly is so important. The more you break it down in your mouth, the easier it is for your body to absorb those nutrients.
2. Eat Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi are packed with probiotics, good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy and improve nutrient absorption.
3. Avoid Drinking Too Much Water with Meals
Did you know that drinking too much water during meals can dilute your stomach acid? Stomach acid is key for breaking down food, so try sipping small amounts instead of gulping down a big glass.
4. Include Healthy Fats
Some nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they need fat to be absorbed. So don’t be afraid to add a little olive oil to your salad or avocado to your smoothie.
5. Manage Stress
Here’s a big one: stress can really mess with your digestion. When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, and digestion slows down. So, taking time to relax, breathe, or even meditate can actually improve your nutrient absorption
Signs Of Poor Nutrient Absorption
So, how do you know if you’re not absorbing nutrients properly? Here are a few signs to look out for:
- Constant fatigue
- Hair loss or brittle nails
- Bloating or stomach discomfort after meals
- Frequent colds or poor immunity
If you’re experiencing any of these, it might be time to check in on your gut health and see if your body’s getting what it needs from your food.
I have created a free gut health quiz. Over time, 18 sign and symptoms may manifest due to poor gut health. Higher your score on this quiz, weaker your gut.
Take the free quiz by clicking here.
So there you have it! You’re not just what you eat, you’re what you ABSORB!
Focus on your digestion and gut health, and you’ll be on your way to making the most of all those healthy foods you’re already eating.Remember, it’s not just about eating clean, it’s about making sure your body can use everything you’re giving it.
Thats it for today, If you found this article helpful, read more articles in the Gut Health category on top to read more on how to live your healthiest, happiest life.
And don’t forget to leave a comment below for any questions or queries. Stay healthy, stay fabulous!
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About Akash Sehrawat
Akash is a creator of 25+ programs and certificate courses in which more than 200,000 students have enrolled both on Udemy and Fabulous Body's native platform. Akash is also an author of three books that can be found on Amazon. His answers on Quora have gathered more than 12 million views in less than a year.