I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

With more holidays approaching, are you being gut healthy?

Years ago I was seeing a GI doctor.

I was experiencing horrible gastrointestinal issues.

While IBS has not been ruled out, I take certain precautions.

I have cut down on eating out. If I do, it’s very limited.

Home-cooked meals are safe, cost-effective and let’s be honest, always delicious!

Do you suffer from gastrointestinal issues, too?

If so, here are a few tips to consider:

• Make a list. Write down every time you eat something that aggravates your digestive tract.

• Make an appointment with a GI doctor. Take this list that you’ve created with you. This helps the doctor determine a lot quicker what could be going on with you.

• Avoid eating foods that are spicy, greasy or fatty.

• Begin a daily probiotic. You can take a tablet form, juice or eat certain foods that contain them.

Make sure that your probiotic includes Lactobacillus and the Bifidobacterium strains.

• Stay hydrated and active by doing cardio.

• Invest in a heating pad. This helps me tremendously especially if I’m out and about.

• Broth- I drink chicken and beef broth, sometimes combined with my heating pad as a duo. This helps ease my stomach muscles.

While my journey is still ongoing, I hope to finally get a diagnosis at some point.

But, in the meantime, I will continue my daily regime.

Hopefully, these tips will help you, too.

As always, check with your doctor before making any dietary changes.