How to improve gut health on a budget

Why is gut health important?

A healthy gut microbiome is essential for most bodily functions, from helping you maintain a healthy weight to keeping your immune system strong. In fact, around 80% of your immune-producing cells live in your intestinal tract, so it’s vitally important you maintain a diverse and happy gut microbiota ¹.

While some products that promote gut health can be expensive, there’s no need to break the bank. There are plenty of budget-friendly ingredients and products that can help keep your gut microbiome happy and healthy.

Are gut health products expensive?

Some products can be! Many products on the market are advertised to improve your digestive health, fortified with the fibre, vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly, and they vary quite drastically in price.

If you are looking for a product that can boost fibre intake, our Fibre Blends are priced at just 76p (or AU$1.66) per portion. Simply add to water, stir and enjoy a drink that tastes good, and does good.

As well as convenient supplements like our Fibre Blend, focusing on eating the right kinds of foods and making various lifestyle changes can really help boost your gut health on a budget.

How to improve gut health on a budget

• Pre-plan your meals: Sticking to a meal plan can help save time, money and waste. If you need support with creating a gut-friendly meal plan, try our Programme which includes tasty recipes, automated shopping lists and more. This tool may also help you save you money in the long run, reducing the amount of expensive food you end up buying when you’re busy or caught unprepared. Or, to get you started, see our free high-fibre recipes that support gut health on a budget here.
• Budget-friendly ingredients: There are plenty of cost-effective options in the supermarket that support gut health on a budget, if you know where to look. Tinned beans and pulses, like chickpeas and lentils, can be significantly cheaper than their fresh counterparts, while not sacrificing their nutrients. Similarly, frozen vegetables are often a fraction of the price, with some studies suggesting that frozen veggies may even be better for your health.²
• Buy in bulk: When shopping around, it can be more cost effective to buy gut-friendly ingredients in bulk. Supermarkets often include a ‘price per kg’ label so take a look to see if you could be saving money in the long run. For example, nuts and seeds are frequently cheaper in larger bags. If enjoyed frequently, larger tubs of Greek yogurt can be more cost effective, so long as it won’t go to waste at the back of the fridge.
• Make your own: Fermented foods feed and balance the gut microbiome due to how rich they are in helpful probiotics. While some fermented foods may be on the pricier side, there are plenty of options out there that don’t break the bank. If you want to transform your gut health on a budget, consider making your own fermented foods, like trying this delicious kimchi-style sauerkraut recipe to add alongside meals.
• Improve your sleep routine: Healthy sleep patterns can support gut health, and thankfully getting in some extra hours of rest is absolutely free! Studies have found that increased sleep efficiency and total sleep time correlates with a more diverse gut microbiome, so ensure you’re aiming for eight hours of sleep per night to really help your gut health on a budget. Discover our tips for better sleep here.

Given the importance of a happy gut microbiome for your overall health, following tips like these can really help you boost your digestive health while protecting your purse strings. If you’re looking fur additional support on your health journey, sign up for your 7-day free trial of The Fast 800 Programme here. Plus, try our Fibre Blend range for refreshing drinks that support your gut health.