OUR GUIDE TO OPTIMAL GUT HEALTH
'Go with your gut'. This phrase has stood the test of time, and for good reason; there's loads of evidence for a strong link between our gut and brain (known as the 'gut-brain' axis). Not only this but good gut health also helps to strengthen our immune system and plays a vital role in absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. Therefore, keeping our gut healthy is essential for our wider health. Give yours the boost it deserves with our guide to optimal gut health which doesn’t have to rely on the new craze of ‘kombucha’ and ‘kefir milk’!
Fibre
Eating plenty of fibre is well-known to improve digestion and is vital for good gut health. Whilst the UK government recommends we consume 30g fibre per day, most of us only eat around half of this; 18g. We can all reach this 30g target by incorporating more fibre-rich foods at every meal, including nuts, seeds, pulses, lentils, fruits and vegetables. For example, adding in chia and flaxseeds to your porridge would make for a mega fibre boost!
Speaking of which, oats are another fantastic source of fibre and great for a healthy gut! They contain more soluble fibre than any other grain (which means they take longer to digest and therefore keep you feeling fuller for longer). We have also added fibre-packed chia and flaxseeds to our Slender Porridge oats, making it the most perfect way to fill up and look after your gut from the get up and go.
Prebiotics
Besides fibre, prebiotics are another important ingredient in the recipe for a healthy, happy gut, acting as food for good gut bacteria. Bananas are an ideal, cost-effective way of increasing your intake of prebiotics and are also known to help calm an upset stomach. In the Protein World office, we love having them chopped on top of our Slender Pancakes!
Other great sources of prebiotics include asparagus and onion. These both contain a special prebiotic called inulin, which also has a mild laxative effect. Add them cold to a salad or lightly cooked with a portion of protein for a delicious fibre-packed lunch or dinner.
Probiotics
What about the actual gut bacteria? In contrast to prebiotics, probiotics contain the good bacteria itself! Whilst taking a probiotic supplement is one solution, you can also get your daily dose through food itself. Fermented foods such as Sauerkraut, Kimchi and Kefir milk are incredible sources of both pre and probiotics. However, these 'in' foods are sometimes quite expensive in their raw form (and harder to get hold of). But eating for good gut health doesn't have to be expensive! For example, Greek yogurt is a fantastic source of probiotics and is higher in protein and lower in sugar than other types of yoghurt. Have on its own as a delicious snack or use to top our Slender Brownies for a guilt-free treat! Short on time? Baking not your thing?! We’ve got you covered; our Slender Blend contains both pre- and probiotics; and due to its comprehensive nutritional profile, can be used as a snack, post-workout shake or meal replacement! It will soon have you on your way to good gut health!
Our guts are vital for optimum health; protecting us from illness, extracting nutrients and energy from food, and even affecting our mental health. By incorporating more fibre, pre- and probiotics into your diet, you’ll notice better physical and mental health as well as improvements in overall wellbeing. We’ve got a gut feeling about it.
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OUR GUIDE TO OPTIMAL GUT HEALTH
'Go with your gut'. This phrase has stood the test of time, and for good reason; there's loads of evidence for a strong link between our gut and brain (known as the 'gut-brain' axis). Not only this but good gut health also helps to strengthen our immune system and plays a vital role in absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. Therefore, keeping our gut healthy is essential for our wider health. Give yours the boost it deserves with our guide to optimal gut health which doesn’t have to rely on the new craze of ‘kombucha’ and ‘kefir milk’!
Fibre
Eating plenty of fibre is well-known to improve digestion and is vital for good gut health. Whilst the UK government recommends we consume 30g fibre per day, most of us only eat around half of this; 18g. We can all reach this 30g target by incorporating more fibre-rich foods at every meal, including nuts, seeds, pulses, lentils, fruits and vegetables. For example, adding in chia and flaxseeds to your porridge would make for a mega fibre boost!
Speaking of which, oats are another fantastic source of fibre and great for a healthy gut! They contain more soluble fibre than any other grain (which means they take longer to digest and therefore keep you feeling fuller for longer). We have also added fibre-packed chia and flaxseeds to our Slender Porridge oats, making it the most perfect way to fill up and look after your gut from the get up and go.
Prebiotics
Besides fibre, prebiotics are another important ingredient in the recipe for a healthy, happy gut, acting as food for good gut bacteria. Bananas are an ideal, cost-effective way of increasing your intake of prebiotics and are also known to help calm an upset stomach. In the Protein World office, we love having them chopped on top of our Slender Pancakes!
Other great sources of prebiotics include asparagus and onion. These both contain a special prebiotic called inulin, which also has a mild laxative effect. Add them cold to a salad or lightly cooked with a portion of protein for a delicious fibre-packed lunch or dinner.
Probiotics
What about the actual gut bacteria? In contrast to prebiotics, probiotics contain the good bacteria itself! Whilst taking a probiotic supplement is one solution, you can also get your daily dose through food itself. Fermented foods such as Sauerkraut, Kimchi and Kefir milk are incredible sources of both pre and probiotics. However, these 'in' foods are sometimes quite expensive in their raw form (and harder to get hold of). But eating for good gut health doesn't have to be expensive! For example, Greek yogurt is a fantastic source of probiotics and is higher in protein and lower in sugar than other types of yoghurt. Have on its own as a delicious snack or use to top our Slender Brownies for a guilt-free treat! Short on time? Baking not your thing?! We’ve got you covered; our Slender Blend contains both pre- and probiotics; and due to its comprehensive nutritional profile, can be used as a snack, post-workout shake or meal replacement! It will soon have you on your way to good gut health!
Our guts are vital for optimum health; protecting us from illness, extracting nutrients and energy from food, and even affecting our mental health. By incorporating more fibre, pre- and probiotics into your diet, you’ll notice better physical and mental health as well as improvements in overall wellbeing. We’ve got a gut feeling about it.
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