Improve your gut health

Improve your gut health

Personal trainer Bec is passionate about nutrition and gut health, having completed studies in the psychology of nutrition.

She's put together her top tips for improving your gut health, as well as a delicious recipe that is sure to keep your gut happy!


Top tips for improving your gut health

  • Lower your stress levels. Chronic levels of stress are hard on your whole body especially your gut. Some ways to lower stress may include exercise and meditation.

  • Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep can have serious effects on your gut health, which in turn can contribute to developing other sleep issues.

  • Eat slowly. By chewing your food thoroughly and eating your meals more slowly you can help promote full digestion and absorption of nutrients. This may help you reduce digestive discomfort and maintain a healthy gut

  • Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will have great benefit for the mucosal lining of the intestines and help balance the good bacteria in the gut.

  • Prebiotic or probiotic. Adding either of these supplements to a healthy diet is a great way to improve your gut health. These provide “food” meant to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

  • Check for food intolerances. Try eliminating foods that may cause cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and fatigue (among many other symptoms). By doing this, you may be able to work out which food is causing the issues.


Broccoli cauliflower soup

I chose this recipe not only because I love veggies, but because it contains bone broth, which is incredibly soothing to our gastrointestinal system. It has amino acids, minerals, collagen and other substance that help to repair the gut lining.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • ½ brown onion

  • 1 clove of garlic 

  • 2 cups of broccoli florets

  • 2 cups of cauliflower florets

  • 1 cup of bone broth, can be homemade or store-bought

  • ½ cup of coconut milk

  • 2 teaspoons sea salt

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Set a  large stock pot on medium-low heat.

  2. Dice onion, mince garlic, then add to the pot with the olive oil.

  3. Stir occasionally for about five minutes until onions are translucent.

  4. Add the broccoli and cauliflower, bone broth, coconut milk and sea salt.

  5. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let cook until the vegetables are fork tender.

  6. Using an immersion blender (or transfer to a separate blender) combine until the soup is completely mixed.

  7. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!


– Bec
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