19 Recipes That Are Great for Gut Health, According to Registered Dietitians These gut-rich foods do more than satisfy a craving—they enrich your health, too. Close Credit: Con Poulos "Go with your gut." We've all heard this old adage that's most often used in terms of decision-making, but it applies to food and nutrition, too. After all, your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, collectively known as your gut microbiome. This community of microorganisms influences myriad areas of health (think: digestion and nutrient absorption), but they can't do it alone. In order to thrive and support your body, these microbes need certain nutrients from food. As registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, RDN, explains, what we eat directly affects the growth and multiplication of good (and not-so-good) bacteria in the gut. "A diet rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, and minimally processed plant-based or lean protein [can] boost your gut microbiome," she says. Foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics may also lend a hand, helping maintain the balance of beneficial gut bacteria. "Conversely, diets rich in fried food, sugar, red meat, and processed food aren't as great for maintaining this balance," says Pasquariello. Maddie Pasquariello, RDN, is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition communications; she helps clients develop individual health plans to meet their goals. Rhyan Geiger, RDN, is a registered dietitian who specializes in science-backed vegan nutrition and the founder of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian. The main ingredients in each of the following dishes offer nutrients that aid good microbes. From homemade sauerkraut, yogurt, and fruit-forward recipes to whole grains, leafy greens, and lentils, this collection includes a variety of dishes. And you aren't limited to snacks and drinks either: Our gut-friendly round-up includes everything from sweet breakfast bowls to savory dinner entrées. Add these nutritionist-approved gut health recipes to your rotation—your stomach will thank you later. 10 Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Should Be Eating, According to Registered Dietitians 01 of 19 Vegan Banana Bread Credit: Emily Kate Roemer Instead of eggs, this vegan banana bread uses ground flaxseed as a binder. This is great news for your belly, as flaxseed and bananas benefit gut health. Both ingredients contain inulin, a "prebiotic fiber that stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut," says Rhyan Geiger, RDN, registered dietitian and founder of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian. Plus, flaxseeds boast an earthy and nutty flavor, resulting in a delightful homemade bread. View Recipe 02 of 19 Quinoa or Millet Breakfast Bowl Credit: Chris Simpson Take a break from your usual oats with this quinoa or millet breakfast bowl. Both ingredients are whole grains, meaning they're rich in vitamins and gut-boosting fiber. For example, millet has been shown to increase levels of beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and decrease harmful microbes like E.coli), according to Geiger. The dish also pairs well with a range of toppings, like juicy berries and crunchy nuts, making the possibilities deliciously endless. View Recipe 03 of 19 Homemade Hummus "The main ingredient in hummus is chickpeas, [which] are high in soluble fiber," says Geiger. This soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the gut, which improves the consistency of bowel movements and supports healthy bacteria in the gut, she says. View Recipe 04 of 19 Smoothie Parfait Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo What's delicious, nutritious, and beautiful to boot? This smoothie-parfait hybrid, of course. Greek yogurt offers gut-friendly probiotics, which can may help boost gut wellness, says Pasquariello. "This recipe is also filled with fruits and veggies, which are great for promoting gut health—adding chopped apple, peach, or banana will boost the prebiotic [fiber] content even more," she adds. View Recipe 05 of 19 Baked Oatmeal for a Crowd With Berries and Seeds Credit: Chris Simpson Elevate your next morning brunch with a batch of baked oatmeal. Not only is it bursting with fiber, it's also naturally sweetened with medjool dates and maple syrup. "Berries are a great way to add fiber to our diet, which is great for promoting gut health," Pasquariello adds. View Recipe 06 of 19 Black Bean and Sweet Potato Stew Credit: Lennart Weibull Conquer meal prep for the week with this hearty vegetarian stew. It requires just 20 minutes of preparation and can be made vegan, too. Both black beans and sweet potatoes are packed with gut-friendly fiber, while the latter is a particularly rich in antioxidants, says Geiger. View Recipe 07 of 19 No-Cook Overnight Oats Credit: Bryan Gardner If your gut could use some TLC, add these overnight oats to your snack repertoire. "Oats are all good sources of dietary fiber, which can support overall gut health," says Pasquariello. Feel free to swap out the dairy milk for plant-based milk, or even yogurt for additional probiotic benefits. View Recipe 08 of 19 Homemade Yogurt Credit: Kirsten Frances One of our best recipes for gut health is this homemade yogurt. It's delightfully affordable, easy to make, and perfect for everything from parfaits to sauces. "Yogurt with live, active cultures is a great way to boost gut health," says Pasquariello. Plus, by making it at home, "you can control the level of sweetness, giving you a leg up over store-bought yogurt that's often high in added sugar," she says. View Recipe 09 of 19 No-Knead Seeded Overnight Bread Credit: Jonathan Lovekin Perfectly hearty and rustic, this no-knead bread is teeming with fiber-rich ingredients like whole wheat flour and pumpkin seeds. What's more, "by letting it rise with yeast, you also create fermentation, which gives you another boost [of gut health benefits]," says Pasquariello. Enjoy it as a slice of toast or in your go-to sandwich recipe. View Recipe 10 of 19 Banana Energy Bites Credit: Kate Mathis These four-ingredient energy bites will fuel your body and mind. They'll also benefit your gut, thanks to the high fiber content of bananas. Even the hemp seeds lend a hand, as they pack essential nutrients like fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, says Geiger. "Healthy fats like omega-3s have [been associated with] better gut health," she says. What's more, the recipe takes just five minutes to prepare, making it ideal for those busy weekday mornings. View Recipe 11 of 19 Kale and Apple Salad Credit: Con Poulos When it comes to digestive health, you can't go wrong with vegetable dishes, and this salad is no exception. "Kale, apple, and celery are all great sources of fiber, while Parmigiano-Reggiano is considered a fermented food, another win for digestive health," says Pasquariello. Serve it as a side or entrée and round it out with a bright honey vinaigrette. View Recipe 12 of 19 French Lentil Salad Credit: Bryan Gardner Eating salads is a great way to incorporate fiber-rich foods into your diet, and this French lentil salad is no exception. It offers a "gut health-boosting benefit [from the] lentils, adding a source of prebiotic fiber to feed the [good gut bacteria] in your gut," says Geiger. View Recipe 13 of 19 Berry Banana Kefir Bowl Credit: Lennart Weibull The strawberries, dates, and banana in this recipe are loaded with fiber, making them helpful for digestion, says Pasquariello. However, the real star of the show is kefir, a tangy fermented milk drink that can support your digestive health. View Recipe 14 of 19 Cashew Chickpea Salad with Cabbage Slaw Credit: Ryan Liebe If you're looking to improve your gut health, try this recipe," says Geiger. "It has fiber-rich vegetables and beans, fermented foods like miso, and digestion boosters like ginger." View Recipe 15 of 19 Pineapple and Ginger Smoothie Credit: Kelsey Hansen Thanks to the ingredients in this bright and zesty smoothie, it's one of the best gut health recipes you can make. "Pineapple is a good source of fiber, and plain yogurt can be a good source of probiotics [as long as] it contains live, active cultures," explains Pasquariello. View Recipe 16 of 19 Vegetable Bean Soup Credit: Brie Goldman "Most people don't get enough fiber, [but this] vegetable bean soup is an easy way to add fiber to your diet," shares Geiger. It's all thanks to the beans and added vegetables, such as carrots, onion, and tomatoes. View Recipe 17 of 19 Quick Sauerkraut Credit: Brett Stevens If sour foods are more your style, make a batch of homemade sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage—it's the ultimate gut health recipe. This version is a quick version that keeps for two weeks in the fridge. "Sauerkraut is a fermented food with probiotics, [which will] keep your gut flora flourishing and diverse," says Geiger. View Recipe 18 of 19 Butternut Squash Soup With Coconut Milk and Ginger Credit: BRYAN GARDNER Equal parts creamy and delicious, this dairy-free soup is great for your gut. Butternut squash is packed with fiber, while coconut milk offers beneficial omega-3 fats. For extra digestive benefits (and a bit of crunch), top off the soup with kale chips or toasted pumpkin seeds. Butternut Squash Soup With Coconut Milk and Ginger 19 of 19 Carrot Chickpea Burgers Credit: Frank Frances Carrots, chickpeas, and probiotic-rich yogurt come together in this hearty meatless burger recipe. The recipe calls for white rice, but you're welcome to use brown rice or quinoa for even more gut-friendly fiber. Carrot-Chickpea Burgers Explore more: Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes