The Afternoon Gut Reset You Can Do in Literally 3 Minutes
The first step to introducing (and sustaining) a health-supporting habit? Stack it onto a well-being tactic you’re already doing, Harbstreet says. In this case, that would be your p.m. beverage moment. “Adding a probiotic-containing drink like Humm to your lunch meal or mid-day snack is a simple way to enjoy the benefits of probiotics, consistently,” says Harbstreet. The just-dropped Probiotic Seltzer and Soda have all the best qualities of an afternoon drink (“cold, fizzy, and refreshing,” in Harbstreet’s words) all wrapped up in subtly delicious flavors like raspberry lime and berry cream. PS: Both have 2 billion probiotics and zero sugar in every can.
1. Sip on something that supports your gut-friendly goals
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The clock strikes 3 p.m. and it's that time of day: the time when you want to abolish hard pants and declare a national naptime. If discomfort, gas, or fatigue feel like a regular afternoon activity at this point, you might also be wondering—what is actually going on in there?
“The simple answer: Human bodies do what human bodies do,” Cara Harbstreet, RD, of Street Smart Nutrition. “As we ingest food and liquids throughout the day, motility and digestion doesn’t always match the pace we want it to…So it’s very normal and natural for bloating, distension, or some rumblings to take place in your gut as your gastrointestinal tract does its job.”
If your sluggishness falls under the garden variety above (and isn’t associated with a bigger health or nutritional issue, in which case you should talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian), the next question, of course, is if there’s anything you can do about it. Harbstreet advises adding a probiotic (whether that’s food, bev, or supplement form), getting enough shut-eye, moving your body, staying hydrated, and managing stress to the best of your ability. And from there? That’s where this three-minute gut reset comes in.
“I think many people hear ‘gut reset’ and immediately think of a cleanse or detox,” says Harbstreet. “Instead, I’d encourage you to think of these recommendations as options to add to your lifestyle as you’re able, without rigidity or added stress.” Permission to absolutely cram your fridge full of probiotic-boosted beverages—preferably Humm Probiotic Seltzer and Soda—granted.
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Adding a probiotic-containing drink like Humm to your lunch meal or mid-day snack is a simple way to enjoy the benefits of probiotics, consistently,
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Probiotic Seltzer, Peach
HUMM KOMBUCHA
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Probiotic Seltzer, Raspberry Lime
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Probiotic Soda, Lemon Lime
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Probiotic Soda, Creamy Berry
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Next up: Something to pair your probiotic beverage with, of course. Harbstreet recommends a snack with both probiotics (yogurt, kefir, or kimchi) and prebiotics (apples, bananas, oats, or flaxseeds), which work together to support your microbiome, or the community of good bacteria in your gut. “One option I really like—especially during warmer seasons—is overnight oats,” says Harbstreet. “I’ll use a base of rolled oats with kefir, sweetened with maple syrup or honey, and let them sit overnight.” Grab your oat bowl or a throw-together crunchy salad with probiotic and prebiotic ingredients for a quickie afternoon slump snack.
2. Add a snack rich in probiotics *and* prebiotics for some extra support
Grab your oat bowl or a throw-together crunchy salad with probiotic and prebiotic ingredients for a quickie afternoon slump snack.
Moving may seem like the exact opposite of what you want to do, but trust: It can help. “As awkward as it might feel to think of bloating as trapped gas in your gut, some targeted stretches or mobility exercises might help with motility issues,” Harbstreet says. This can be especially common if you’ve been traveling, if your sleep routine was thrown off, or if (ding ding ding!) you tend to sit for extended periods of time, like working at a computer all day. Harbstreet recommends the following to get your gut moving: Cat-cow pose, seated or reclined twist, or simply lying on top of a medicine ball (or slightly deflated soccer ball) and applying gentle rolling pressure to the area of your abdomen that’s distended.
3. Stretch it out with these specific movements to get your gut moving
Ready, reset, go.
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