Green Goodness: Gut-Friendly Foods for Your St. Patrick’s Day Feast

Exploring Gut-Friendly Greens for a Shamrock-Inspired Celebration

Welcome to March Foodguides, fam! We’re so lucky to have you here! The month of March brings so many charming activities and holidays. One of our favorites? St. Patrick’s Day! 

There are so many traditional foods and beverages to enjoy on this golden occasion, but what about gut-friendly options? If you’re not too jaded about these St. Paddy’s Day puns, come along as we dive into gut-friendly greens that will make your shamrock Sunday an emerald among diamonds (Bridgerton, anyone?).

Understanding "Gut-Friendly": What Does It Really Mean?

“Gut-friendly '' is an umbrella term we use a lot at Foodguides. It addresses various functions of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), such as efficient digestion and absorption of food, absence of GI illnesses, normal intestinal microbiota, and a robust immune system. Many conditions can affect the GI tract, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and promoting a gut-friendly lifestyle can help reduce the symptoms of these conditions.

Greens Galore: Exploring Gut-Friendly Green Foods

If you’re looking for gut-friendly green foods, you’re in luck! Several green vegetables can help maintain a healthy GI tract: bok choy, green beans, and broccoli are excellent options for those with GERD and IBS. They are high in fiber, making you feel fuller faster, preventing you from overeating and igniting heartburn. 

Some green fruits and vegetables are even Low FODMAP-friendly, such as bell peppers, avocados, collards, and spinach. These vegetables can be added to any meal and are good for your gut and excellent for your overall health.

Adding Greens to Your St. Patrick’s Day Menu

Salads are the easiest go-to and taste great alongside classic Irish dishes like corned beef and boiled potatoes, but there must be another way to add greens to your meals, right? Absolutely!

Green fruits and vegetables, including those listed above, can be easily incorporated into the food items you’re already eating. After searing those lamb chops, try grilled zucchini sticks. If you’re really daring, you could even try a traditional Irish dish: colcannon! Make this simple side with creamy mashed potatoes and kale. 

Embracing Green Goodness: The Underrated Superfoods

Green fruits and vegetables are the underrated superfoods that make you get up and (Irish-step) dance this St. Patrick’s Day. They are great for your health and can be easily incorporated into your St. Patrick’s Day celebration and your breakfast, lunch, and dinner without completely overhauling the entire meal. 

Best of all, they can be found at your local grocery stores and in many meal kits. (No need to go all the way to Ireland).

How will you use greens this St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on social media @foodguideshelp!

1. _{Bischoff S. C. (2011). 'Gut health': a new objective in medicine?. BMC medicine, 9, 24.}
2. _{Gupta, E. (2022, March 28). Gerd diet: Foods that help with acid reflux (heartburn). Johns Hopkins Medicine.}