A doctor who graduated from Harvard University has revealed the common mistakes people make at breakfast time that are slowly ‘wrecking’ the gut.
Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, often shares his advice and expertise with his 1.3m followers on Instagram (@doctor.sethi).
The 42-year-old previously shared eight morning habits he does to “reset” the gut – including a stinky toilet check.
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But now, the doctor, from California, US, has revealed how people are “wrecking” their digestive system slowly with a few common morning mistakes, reports Need To Know.
First up: skipping breakfast altogether.
“Long gaps lead to acid buildup and sluggish gut motility,” he said.
“If not fasting intentionally, eat within one hour of waking up.
“Also, drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
“It boosts stomach acid, causing reflux and nausea.
“Drink a glass of water before your coffee and have a light snack like nuts or a banana.”
Dr Sethi also advises avoiding sugary breakfast cereals and granola.
He said: “These are loaded with refined sugars that only spike your blood sugars and lead to gut inflammation.
“Opt for oats, with chia seeds and berries instead.
“High-fat ‘bulletproof’ coffee trends also offer no fibre or protein, so add these to your diet for a balanced start.
“Or you’ll face poor satiety and acid reflux.”
And eating breakfast on the go can be doing more damage than you think.
Dr Sethi added: “Eating in stress mode causes less digestive enzyme release and bloating.
“Sit down and chew slowly for better digestion.
“And overdoing juices is a big no.
“Eat whole fruit or blend fruit and veggies for a balanced smoothie.”
Most importantly, he says not to ignore hydrating in the morning.
He said: “Your gut needs water to move things along.
“Start your day with a glass of water before anything else.
“Your morning routine sets the tone for your gut all day.
“Do these things each day and trust your gut – it’ll thank you later.”
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