What I’m Eating to Help My Gut After Taking Antibiotics

What I’m Eating to Help My Gut After Taking Antibiotics

Gut-Healthy Foods for a Healthy Gut

As I waited for my long-term antibiotics prescription to finish, I started to notice a decline in my overall health. Gassy, bloated, and feeling "off" every night as I laid down to sleep, I knew I needed to make a change. I was given the opportunity to interview a gastroenterologist, Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., and I asked him why I was feeling this way and how I could get my gut health back on track.

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The Compromise of Antimicrobial Therapy

"Research has shown that a huge percentage – anywhere from a third to two-thirds – of our antibiotic prescriptions actually are unnecessary," Dr. Bulsiewicz explained. "Antibiotics can slow the recovery of your gut. It basically makes it hard for your gut to bounce back."

Empowering Your Gut

To help my gut recover, Dr. Bulsiewicz emphasized the importance of fueling it with the right foods. "We want to fuel our gut with whole, plant-based foods… more fiber, more variety of plants, and trying to minimize things like sugar, ultra-processed foods, and excessive alcohol intake."

4 Gut-Healthy Things I Ate to Get Back on Track

1. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have become a staple in my diet. Not only are they packed with fiber, including resistant starch, which offers anti-inflammatory benefits, but they’re also incredibly versatile. I love baking them with cinnamon and serving them with a side of greens for a quick and easy lunch or as a base for a hearty meal. My favorite recipe is roasting sweet potatoes with salmon and whole grains.

2. Comforting Salads

Salads don’t have to be boring. Combining my favorite ingredients like apples, cheese, dried cranberries, nuts, and roasted sweet potatoes with leafy greens creates a "hug in a bowl" effect for me. I swear by fall salads with spinach, butternut squash, apples, and cheddar.

3. Yogurt Bowls

When I’m craving something sweet, yogurt has been my go-to. I buy it at the store, but I’ve also learned how to make it at home with just two ingredients. Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, which add diversity to the helpful balance in our gut and can even help with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.

4. Coffee

While I don’t need caffeine to start my day, coffee has become a staple in my routine. Not only does it help keep things regular, but it’s also beneficial for our gut microbes. "There is clear evidence that coffee is beneficial to our gut microbes," Dr. Bulsiewicz explains.

The Bottom Line

"You should only be taking antibiotics if you really need to be taking it," Dr. Bulsiewicz emphasizes. If you’ve been prescribed a long-term antibiotic and you’re experiencing stomach issues, talk to your doctor or a gastroenterologist for the best options for you. Remember, antibiotics can be an essential solution for people fighting off infections, but if you’re like me who took a daily dose and started to see more negatives than positives, notify your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the compromise of antimicrobial therapy?
  A: Antibiotics can slow the recovery of your gut, making it hard for your gut to bounce back.

Q: How can I help my gut recover after taking antibiotics?
A: Fuel your gut with whole, plant-based foods, including more fiber, more variety of plants, and trying to minimize things like sugar, ultra-processed foods, and excessive alcohol intake.

Q: What are some gut-healthy foods I can add to my diet?
A: Sweet potatoes, comforting salads, yogurt, and coffee are all great options.

Q: When should I talk to my healthcare provider about my gut health?
A: If you’re experiencing stomach issues after taking antibiotics, talk to your doctor or a gastroenterologist for the best options for you.