Love your guts
by LiveLighter,
- January 31, 2022
- Leave a comment
This February, we're encouraging all Aussies to show their gut a little love.
As part of our Love Your Guts February campaign we’re putting a spotlight on all things fibre and seeing how a little ol' roughage helps our gut bugs flourish.
Find out more about the link between fibre and mood, what we can do to keep our gut microbiome happy and whether we should be avoiding carbohydrates. There are also plenty of gut-friendly recipes plus some fun fibre facts!
Fuel your gut with fibre
We all know fibre is important, but less than a third of Australian adults get enough.
Dietary fibre helps us stay full for longer, which is important for weight management, as well as assisting food to move through the digestive tract and out the other end! It has also been shown to improve blood glucose control and reduce the risk of bowel cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
To learn more about the different types of fibre, and find out how you can get more into your day, click the link below.
All about the microbiome
Did you know our bodies are about equal parts human and microbe?
The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microorganisms that live in your digestive tract.
These microbes are so important in keeping us healthy and happy, and there are many ways we can give our gut bugs a boost.
Click the link below to find out more about what your gut microbiome can do for you, and what can you do for your microbiome.
Fibre fun fact
Cooked and then cooled starchy foods such as pasta or potato are a great source of one of our gut bugs' favourite types of fibre: resistant starch…. and also make for a delicious lunch!
Enjoy our roasted potato salad chilled for a hit of prebiotic-rich, gut-loving fibre.
What are probiotics and prebiotics?
Kombucha, kimchi, kraut, and kefir… you may have heard about probiotic foods for gut health, but which ones are worthwhile?
Probiotics and prebiotics are the new health buzzwords, but what is the difference between the two, and is one type better than the other?
We explain the benefits of both and why they might be a great addition to your day!
Food for mood
Looking after our mind is just as important as looking after our body.
The good news is, the foods we can eat to help keep us physically healthy are the same ones that work wonders for our mood.
In this blog, we take a deep dive into nutrition, mental health and mindfulness to explain how to prioritise holistic health.
Fibre fun fact
Oats contain a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan. Research has found that beta-glucans can lower blood cholesterol, which helps protect us against heart disease.
For a cool oaty breakfast on a hot summer day try our overnight no-cook fruity oats.
Plant-based diets
A growing number of Aussies are trying to reduce their intake of animal foods, and there are a lot of good reasons why.
In this blog we take a deep dive into the science of how eating more plant-based foods helps you love your guts, your planet and your wallet.
Fibre fun fact
Wholegrain foods use.... the whole grain. The clue is in the title!
Refined grain products only use the starchy inside of the grain, whereas wholegrain and wholemeal products use up the inner germ and outer bran layer too. This is where lots of the nutrients and fibre hang out, making wholegrain foods nutrition powerhouses.
The wholemeal, wholegrain and "brown" versions of grain and cereal foods have around double the fibre of the "white" versions.
Our brown rice salad is a ripper and shows off the nutty flavour and excellent texture that the bran layer is bringing to the party.
More plants please: top tips to eat more plant foods
Whether it’s for your health, the health of the planet, or the health of your bank account, plant-based diets have a variety of benefits for us and the world around us.
You don’t have to be a full-time vego to enjoy the fruits of eating more fibre-filled plant foods. You can still eat some animal products; the aim is to focus on eating more plants and less animal products.
Check out our blog for a healthy approach to prioritising plant proteins.
Carbs ain't carbs
For years carbohydrates or “carbs” have been portrayed as dietary enemy number one.
Diets like paleo and keto claim that cutting carbs will lead to weight loss, but is that the truth? And should we really be avoiding them?
To find out if low-carb diets are worth all the hype, check out our blog.
Fibre fun fact
About 3 in 10 Aussie adults eat enough fibre, but many of us get pretty close!
Experts suggest that women have at least 25g of fibre each day, while men aim for at least 30g.
Making small tweaks to what you already eat can boost how much fibre you get and help push you over the line.
- Change from white to grainy wholemeal bread on your sandwich: adds 4.5g fibre
- Add an extra piece of fruit to your day: adds 3.5g fibre
- Switch your brekkie cereal from cornflakes to untoasted muesli: adds 3g fibre
- Include a small handful of almonds as a snack: adds 2.5g fibre
- Add a tin of lentils to your spag bol: adds 2.5g fibre
At a whopping 18g of fibre per serve, our tasty pantry pasta is not only great for your gut, it’s on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Top tips for a healthy bowel
Better gut health brings with it so many benefits, including reducing our risk of the second most diagnosed cancer in Australia.
We’ve pulled together some of the top lifestyle changes you can make today to help improve your bowel health and reduce your cancer risk.
