Forget juice cleanses and 10-day detoxes \u2014 doctors say the smarter way to feel better fast starts in your gut, and it doesn\u2019t require starving, suffering or giving up real food.<\/p>\n
The gut isn\u2019t just mission control for digestion. It dictates how we feel physically, mentally and emotionally.<\/p>\n
A gut reset focuses on reducing inflammation, rebalancing gut bacteria and nourishing the gut lining to alleviate bloating, fatigue, brain fog and digestive issues.<\/p>\n
Dr. Katherine Freeman, a Catholic Health gastroenterologist affiliated with St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center, shares a seven-day plan that emphasizes healthy eating, good sleep and plenty of water to refresh the gut. Jack Forbes \/ NY Post Design<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to point out that this is not a fast, this is not a juice cleanse,\u201d Dr. Katherine Freeman<\/a>, a Catholic Health gastroenterologist affiliated with St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center<\/a>, told The Post.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is about choosing the right foods that are going to be anti-inflammatory and promote digestion.\u201d<\/p>\n Freeman has devised a seven-day gut restoration plan with small, doable daily tweaks \u2014 not a drastic overhaul \u2014 to revitalize eating and lifestyle habits and put some spring back in your step.<\/p>\n Day 1<\/p>\n Before starting any dietary plan, Freeman recommends consulting your primary care physician, gastroenterologist or nutritionist to ensure you\u2019re on the right track.<\/p>\n The goal for the first day is to overhaul your diet, emphasizing basic, nutritious ingredients.<\/p>\n Say goodbye to refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, processed foods and red meat.<\/p>\n This fare has been shown to promote chronic, low-grade inflammation, straining the immune system, increasing stress responses and leading to even worse outcomes.<\/p>\n Vegetables and lean meats are better options than ultra-processed foods and red meat. aamulya \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that certain pro-inflammatory foods, for example, red meat, have been linked to a higher incidence of colon cancer<\/a>,\u201d Freeman said.<\/p>\n Instead, try to fill your plate with grilled chicken breasts or turkey with steamed vegetables and your glass with lots of water.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to think about whole grains, simple foods, lean meats, vegetables that are high in fiber,\u201d Freeman explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to think about herbs like ginger, turmeric<\/a>, even peppermint, which is something that we use in irritable bowel [disease].\u201d<\/p>\n Day 2<\/p>\n You\u2019re putting the \u201c2\u201d in H20.<\/p>\n You should be hydrating with 64 ounces of water, which is eight 8-ounce cups. The idea is to calm down your GI tract.<\/p>\n With that in mind, you should consider adding teas to your grocery list. Green tea<\/a> is known to promote relaxation while fighting inflammation, reducing cellular damage and lowering bad cholesterol.<\/p>\n Days 3 and 4<\/p>\n Get ready for a culture shock \u2014 but in a good way.<\/p>\n