Digestive problems are getting worse and making it harder for Americans to live their lives. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) says that each year, more than 81 million Americans report having long-term digestive problems.
The good news is that people with digestive problems might not have to miss work or fun activities.
"The first step is to eat a wide range of colourful, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that are good for your digestive tract. This includes fresh berries and apples as well as dried fruits like California plums "Dr. Leo Treyzon from the University of California, Los Angeles's divisions of Digestive Diseases and Clinical Nutrition says this. "These kinds of foods are full of important vitamins and minerals that are good for your health in many ways. Other foods that are good for your digestive health are those with fibre, protein, calcium, and vitamin D."
Treyzon says that the unique mix of nutrients in California dried plums, such as soluble and insoluble fibre, potassium, and magnesium, makes them especially good for digestive health. They also have a lot of polyphenols, which are plant chemicals that are strong antioxidants that protect DNA from damage, reduce inflammation, and stop cancer.
Treyzon says that as people learn more about what kinds of food are good for their digestive health, they will also realise how good nutrition is for their lifestyle and health as a whole. He also said that healthy digestion helps the immune system and may lower the risk of some long-term diseases, like heart disease and some types of cancer.
"As you make good food choices, keep in mind that you need to eat enough protein, especially protein from plants," says Treyzon. "I would also choose fats carefully, stay away from sweets with a lot of sugar, drink lots of water, and do something fun for at least 30 minutes a day."
Dried plums from California are a quick and healthy snack that fits into today's busy lives. They also taste good and can be added to any meal. Here's an idea for a healthy and tasty recipe:
Chicken Saute With Balsamic-Dried Plum Sauce
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken breast halves without bones or skin (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup of shallots finely chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
1 cup of chicken broth with less salt
1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) of dried plums from California that have been roughly chopped.
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried thyme leaves
In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add salt and pepper to the chicken. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 10 minutes, or until the outside is browned and the inside is no longer pink. Put the meat on a serving platter and keep it warm. Add the shallots and garlic to the same skillet. Cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the shallots and garlic are softened. Stir in the broth, dried plums, vinegar, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat a little and cook until the sauce is about 1 cup. Spoon over chicken.
Makes 4 servings.
Per serving, there are 345 calories, 24 percent of which come from fat, 9 g of fat, 139 mg of sodium, 22 g of carbs, 42 g of protein, 99 mg of cholesterol, and 1 g of fibre.
