(NC) While we usually only think of our stomach when we’re hungry, a healthy gut is important to your overall health. Your stomach is filled with countless good bacteria that help with everything from digestion to bone health and your immune system. Here are some easy ways to keep your stomach in top shape.

Eat more fibre
You’ve likely heard that it’s important to eat fibre to promote regularity. But fibre also feeds and promotes the diversity of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Some foods, including prunes, contain soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibres can be digested, while insoluble fibres help foods pass through your digestive system.

A serving of about five prunes has only 100 calories but provides a source of potassium, vitamin K, antioxidants and other essential nutrients. They don’t require refrigeration, so you can keep them in your desk drawer for a handy mid-day snack.

Look for nutritious alternatives
Looking for ways to reduce the sugar, eggs or oil in your favourite recipes? A simple prune puree is a great option.

Their natural sweetness means you can swap out one-third to one-half of the sugar in a recipe. You can replace up to three large eggs in any recipe by using ¼ cup (60 ml) of puree for each egg. Reduce the amount of butter or oil a recipe calls for by using an equal amount of prune puree.

To make the puree, simply blend about 8 pitted prunes with some hot water.

Learn more at californiaprunes.ca.