The Sol Journal

3 signs your gut needs support

wellness

3 signs your gut needs support

12 January, 2026

When your gut is off, your whole body feels it. From bloating after meals to bowel changes and brain fog, these three signs can be your body’s gentle nudge to reset.

We truly believe wellness begins in the gut. This powerful, yet delicate ecosystem influences everything from digestion, immunity, energy levels, skin health and even mood. When your gut is thriving, you feel lighter, clearer and more energised. But when it’s out of balance, your body has subtle (and not so subtle) ways of letting you know it’s time to pay attention!

Here are three key signs your gut might need support and our evidence based strategies to help you bring things back into balance, naturally.

1. You’re bloated after every meal

Feeling bloated after eating isn’t just inconvenient, it’s often your gut asking for help. Occasional bloating can be normal, but when it happens frequently, it may point to an imbalance in your gut bacteria, low digestive enzyme activity or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

In cases of SIBO, bacteria that usually live in the large intestine migrate to the small intestine, fermenting carbohydrates too early and producing excess gas. Similarly, if your gut microbiome lacks diversity, or if you’re not eating enough fibre, digestion slows down and beneficial bacteria lose their balance.

How to support it

  • Eat mindfully – Slow down, chew properly and eat without distraction to help your body produce the right digestive enzymes.
  • Embrace bitter foods – Rocket, lemon, and dandelion greens can stimulate bile flow and digestive juices.
  • Increase fibre gradually – Add vegetables, legumes, chia and flaxseeds slowly to feed beneficial bacteria without overwhelming your system.
  • Reduce sugar and alcohol – Both can encourage overgrowth of gas producing microbes.
  • Seek professional support – A Nutritionist or Naturopath can assess if targeted probiotics or herbal antimicrobials are appropriate – since not all probiotics suit every gut type, especially in SIBO.

For a gentle way to support your gut, our Restore Gut Healer is a science-backed formula using whole food and herbal ingredients like slippery elm, marshmallow root and kakadu plum to nourish the gut lining, support microbiome balance and reduce digestive discomfort.

2. Your bowel movements are all over the place

Your bowel habits are one of the clearest indicators of gut health. Ideally, you should be having one or two well-formed bowel movements per day. If you’re swinging between diarrhoea and constipation, or your stools frequently change in appearance, it’s time to look deeper. 

These fluctuations can result from gut infections, food intolerances, or microbiome imbalances. Even small details matter – undigested food in your stool can suggest low stomach acid or enzyme deficiency, while pale or floating stools can indicate issues with fat absorption or bile flow.

According to the Bristol Stool Chart, the ideal stool type is 3 or 4 – soft, smooth and easy to pass. Anything outside of that consistently can be a sign your gut needs extra care. If issues persist, comprehensive stool testing can reveal whether parasites, bacterial imbalances, or inflammation are contributing to the problem.

How to support it

  • Stay hydrated – Water is essential for healthy bowel motility.
  • Balance your fibre – Soluble fibre (from oats, psyllium, chia) helps with loose stools, while insoluble fibre (from veggies and whole grains) prevents constipation.
  • Support bile flow – Foods like beetroot, lemon and bitter greens aid fat digestion.
  • Identify triggers – Gluten, dairy and highly processed foods are common culprits.
  • Restore your microbiome – Probiotic-rich foods (sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha) and targeted probiotic strains can help.

If your digestion feels sluggish or unpredictable, our Eliminate Fibre Blend can help regulate bowel function and promote detoxification. This prebiotic fibre formula is crafted with ingredients like psyllium husk, green banana powder and slippery elm powder, designed to support regularity, nurture the gut lining and encourage beneficial gut bacteria.

3. You’re constantly tired or experiencing brain fog

If you feel tired, sluggish, or mentally foggy despite getting enough sleep, your gut might be part of the picture. The gut and brain are deeply connected via the gut-brain axis – a communication network linking your enteric nervous system and central nervous system.

About 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that supports mood and focus, is made in the gut. When your gut bacteria are imbalanced, it can greatly affect how this system functions, impacting both mental clarity and emotional wellbeing.

Additionally, if your digestion or nutrient absorption is impaired, you may be missing out on vital nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium and iron, which are all crucial for energy production.

How to support it

  • Eat a nutrient-rich diet – Include lean proteins, leafy greens and omega-3 fats (from fish, flaxseeds and walnuts).
  • Feed beneficial bacteria – Prebiotic foods like onions, garlic and asparagus provide fuel for healthy microbes.
  • Manage stress – Chronic stress disrupts digestion and microbiome balance. Try meditation, breath work, or gentle yoga to help regulate your nervous system.
  • Get restorative sleep – Your gut microbiota follows circadian rhythms too, so consistent sleep supports digestive repair and balance.

If you’re looking to naturally boost your energy and clear the brain fog, our Whole Food Meal Packs might just be the missing link – they’re a simple and nourishing way to fuel your body and mind. These ready made meals use organic, whole food ingredients, delivered fresh and designed to remove the stress of meal prep, giving your body the right balanced nutrition it needs to thrive.