Feel-Good Summer: Habits to Support a Happier Gut

Feel-Good Summer: Habits to Support a Happier Gut

The warmer months bring more than just sunshine, don’t they? We’ve got BBQs, beach picnics, and long weekends. Add in a handful of travel days and maybe even a few late-night snacks (smores, anyone?). While all of that can make summer feel like a celebration, your digestive system might be working overtime instead of enjoying the party.

Even the healthiest routines can get thrown off during summer and for many of us, the gut is the first place we feel it. Bloating, sluggish digestion, irregularity, or general discomfort: these are all signs that your digestive system might need a little extra support.

Vitamin World is here with some easy lifestyle tips featuring targeted habit and supplement suggestions to keep your gut feeling good all season long. And because it’s summer, we’ll keep it pretty relaxed with less restriction, less stress and more focus on gentle support to help you feel your best from the inside out.

 

1. Balancing Act: Meals, Habits & Enzymes
   Summer indulgences such as an oversized meal, iced drinks, or rushed meals can overwhelm your digestive system and leave you feeling heavy or uncomfortable. With an upset routine, your body may feel overwhelmed and “off” as you try to pack in everything you can in the wonderful summer months. If you’ve ever struggled with the effects of these imbalances, here are some easy-to-implement changes you can try!

 

Simple Habits for Smoother Digestion:

• Eat smaller, balanced meals more often to reduce digestive strain.
• Chew slowly and thoroughly as digestion actually starts in the mouth as your body begins to break down food.
• Sip room-temp water with meals instead of icy drinks, which can "chill" and slow down your digestive system.
• Add enzymes to your daily routine to help break down the foods you eat into nutrients your body can absorb and use.

Supplements to Consider:

Digest-13 Multi-Enzyme: Broad-spectrum enzymes work to help break down proteins, fats, and carbs, making it easier on your digestive system, especially after heavy or rich meals.*

Papaya Enzyme Chewables: Papaya enzymes, derived from the fruit’s natural compounds like papain, can offer gentle, plant-based support that can help ease occasional bloating or discomfort.* Vitamin World’s chewables are a great option both post-meal or on the go.

2. Gut Flora in the Spotlight: Probiotics & Prebiotics
   Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that play big roles in digestion, immune defense, and even mood. If your tummy’s out of sorts, chances are the rest of your body—and even your overall vibe—can feel it too. Travel, time zone shifts, and new foods can all disrupt this balance.

 

Keep your Microbiome Healthy:

• Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, or fermented veggies if they agree with your system.
• Focus on mealtime consistency as even adhering to a flexible rhythm can help your gut stay on track.
• Include more fiber-rich plant foods in your diet such as berries, leafy greens, beans, or oats. These act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria in your gut and helping them thrive.
• Try adding probiotics to your daily regime, especially if your diet is inconsistent.

Supplements to Consider:

Probiotic 16: Probiotics are one of the best ways to promote gut health, balance digestion, and support immune function. This Vitamin World offering is a multi-strain probiotic for overall health and immunity balance.*

Psyllium Seed Husks: A natural fiber source that supports regularity. It works by acting as a soluble fiber, absorbing water and forming a gentle gel to soften stool, promote regularity, and aid overall gut motility. Vitamin World’s capsules are easy to use and balance out those irregular summer meals.*

Glad Gut™ Probiotic Gummies: Like Probiotic 16, this supplement is designed for proactive gut support. Each serving contains scientifically proven 5 billion CFU of Bacillus Coagulans, a probiotic strain for gut balance restoration. A delicious, travel-friendly option that makes an easy daily addition.*

 

3. Beat the Bloat: Comfort and Movement

Baseball games, beach snacks, BBQs and must-try local eats: what do they all have in common? Delicious foods, mouthwatering treats and a high chance of indigestion afterwards. Bloating can sneak in thanks to salty snacks, fizzy drinks, dehydration, or even too much sitting down. With the right habits, you can reduce discomfort and feel lighter this summer (and all year long).

Support your Gut Daily:

• Stay hydrated and aim for plain water and potassium-rich foods that are abundant in the summer such as melons and bananas.
• Take short walks after meals to stimulate digestion. However, skip intense activity right after eating to give your body a chance to get to work naturally.
• Try to limit your intake of carbonated drinks and heavy, salty foods whenever possible.
• Reach for additional supplements to help if you have overindulged, such as food-coma-buster activated charcoal.

Supplements to Consider:

Activated Charcoal: This helpful product is a must-have for the summer months. It works through a process called adsorption, binding to gas-producing compounds in the gut, which may help with occasional bloating, gas, or digestive distress.*

Turmeric Curcumin with BioPerine®: Although not its main use, curcumin (the active compound in turmeric), may help improve the strength and diversity of the microbiome by supporting beneficial bacterial strains in the gut.*

 

A Happy Gut for that ‘Endless Summer’ Feeling

Summer has never been about perfection, has it? With the warm months, there is always excitement in the air. Whether it’s the promise of adventure or the gift of relaxation, the season is truly about enjoying the moment. And with just a few mindful choices, you can support your digestion without missing a beat no matter what your summer looks like.

At Vitamin World, we’re here to remind you that the goal is not to “fix” your gut. It’s to care for it. By adding small, consistent habits and supportive nutrients, you can feel more at ease both inside and out.

Explore our website or visit us in-store to search for Digestive Wellness products to find the summer support your gut will thank you for. 

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.