Keeping Intestines Fit from the Inside Out

Jessica Peralta of the McClatchy Newspapers gives a solid list of tips for people with digestive difficulties in an article titled Stomach this Health and beauty advice for that troublesome gut. Well, to be honest, it's a somewhat overgeneralized list with something for almost every kind of intestinal ache from whatever source. But most of the tips are good advice for most everyone, so I'm reprinting a few here:

• Avoid a diet high in fat, caffeine and alcohol if you're having digestive problems -- these elements can trigger problems like abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. Dairy triggers diarrhea if you're lactose-intolerant.

• Drink plenty of water and practice regular physical activity to keep the gastrointestinal tract moving.

• Eat smaller and more frequent meals. Large meals cause regurgitation (aka heartburn) because of increased pressure in the stomach.

• Get 25-35 grams of fiber into your diet daily.

• Eat lean proteins throughout your day's meals to help control hunger. Nonfat string cheese, tofu, edamame, hardboiled eggs and shrimp cocktail are convenient protein snacks.