All about gut health and nutrition
At Zing Wellbeing we are passionate about gut health.
We believe it is crucial for our health - both physical and mental health and our meal plans have a big focus on gut health recipes plus we have a BIG gut health meal plan being created too.
You can also see Rhian's gut health smoothie shot here
But today, Mel, our Zing Wellbeing nutritionist and naturopath is taking us through why gut health is so important and why we need to prioritise it.
PLUS make sure you are a Zing Wellbeing member as all our gut health meal plans
Gut health
Gut health is all about bacteria! Well maybe not ALL, but a lot about bacteria. Gut health is key to mental health, immune system health and functioning, digestion, sleep and overall health and vitality.
And today nutritionist and gut health expert Mel, talks to us about gut health - and if you want to be part of Mel's LIVE group coaching sessions then come and become a Zing Wellbeing member and get direct access to coaches and experts all through the week!
Become a Zing Wellbeing member here
Watch Mel Talk About Gut Health
All about your gut bacteria
When it comes to the bacteria in your gut, every time you eat, you are feeding somebody. Unfortunately, the modern industrialised diet is all too often feeding the bad guys and, just as important, starving the good. To put it simply, “bad” bacteria tend to feed on sugar and unhealthy fats (processed and junk foods). And the good guys need plant fibres called polyphenols to live.
Most of us are literally starving the good bacteria that we need to digest our food and boost our brain health. We know that junk food, lack of fibre, glyphosate, antibiotics, and other toxins can compromise these little guys but what can we do about it?
Well, try not to kill the good ones if you can help it. This means switching to more natural cleaning products, body care and kitchen products, eating cleaner and organic where possible and doing the work to repair your gut if you need antibiotics, other medications or have symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, pain or constipation.
Bad bacteria
Avoid feeding the bad guys where possible. A diverse population of health-promoting flora protects your gut from the less helpful strains. So, while you are working on builing this beautiful garden of luscious bugs reduce foods that are highly processed or high in sugar. Unfortunately, this may feed the very kinds of flora that will cause gas, discomfort, bloating, and chronic inflammation.
Good bacteria
Definitely feed those good guys – lots of colourful plant foods which are rich in polyphenols will provide prebiotics. Prebiotics are the food that probiotics need to thrive.
They’re a type of plant fibre that humans can’t digest and that take up residence inside your large intestine. The more of these prebiotics you feed to your probiotics, the more efficiently they’ll do good work inside you. Slow cooked food, Nana’s old fashioned casseroles and fermented food will assist in keeping your guy healthy and happy.
Superfoods to include in your diet
Some top superfoods that provide an abundance of the best microbe-fuelling nutrients include Jerusalem artichoke, baobab fruit, dandelion greens, garlic, leek, onion, asparagus, banana, apples, oats, flaxseed, cacao, burdock root, and seaweed. But any colourful fruit and veg will do!
Improve gut health
Start improving your gut health today by getting funky!
Fermenting food is like pre-digesting it for our gut. When we eat it, it is super easy to breakdown and our tummy has less work to do. This increases the bio-availability of the nutrients in the food and allows us to better absorb all of the vitamins and minerals. Remember less is more when you start fermented foods for the first time.
When it comes to populating beneficial flora in our gut the benefits are immense. Not only will having the good guys in there discourage the bad guys (discouraging potentially pathogenic organisms), it will also discourage infections, support immune system health, encourage digestion, reduce risk of food intolerances and aid in the synthesis of some B vitamins and vitamin K.
Become a Zing Wellbeing member here
This is general advice not aimed at addressing any specific health condition. For any health concerns, we recommend you see a qualified practitioner.
Mel is a Medical Herbalist, Naturopath, Nutritionist, Iridologist, and Trainer.
MHlthSc(D&A), BHlthSc(Comp Med), AdvDip WHM, AdvDip Nat, AdvDip NutMed, Dip Iridology
After graduating as a Medical Herbalist top of her class and with a scholarship in 2011, Mel opened her private practice. She has since completed further qualifications in Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy, as well as a Bachelor Degree of Health Science, in Complimentary Medicine.
In 2023 Mel completed a Master in Health Science in Drug and Alcohol Addiction.
Mel has extensive clinical experience with a range of hormonal conditions and transitions including menopause, PMDD, PMS, PCOS and the changes females with ADHD may experience with hormonal changes.
She has a special interest in both endometriosis and adenomyosis having personal and professional experience with these conditions.
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