Healthy Gut = Happy You
I heard years ago that a healthy gut has a huge impact on your general well-being and happiness levels. At first I was sceptical, but then I realised how much happier I feel when I’ve been eating foods like avocado on sourdough toast with a side of fresh tomatoes drizzled in olive oil, or maybe a broccoli-rich stir-fry dressed in tahini or a bowl of yogurt, berries, nuts and Manuka honey. It tastes good and it feels good. On the flip side, I know how sluggish I can feel if I’ve over indulged on the bad stuff; too much booze, a fried breakfast, sugary drinks and processed foods. Sure, the sugar high feels good for a while, but after it’s worn off, it feels bad. I feel moody, slow, tired and just not… myself! And forgive me if this is TMI, but I’m personally at my lowest ebb emotionally and physically when I have constipation, know that feeling? It’s scientifically proven that what goes on behind our belly buttons affects almost every aspect of our wellbeing, from energy levels and how well we sleep, how often we catch and cold and even how clear and bright our skin looks. In short, Happy Gut = Happy you!
Gut Friendly Foods
There are certain foods that make our guts REALLY happy; Avocados, Leafy greens, tomatoes, bananas, brown rice, flaxseeds, oats, grains and pulse, nuts & seeds, garlic, sweet potato, ginger and so many more… in fact, I’ve made a Pinterest board full of Gut Friendly foods, recipes and information. I also really love this infographic which shows all the different ways a healthy and happy gut can affect our bodies, it really is incredible! Ladies, self care is more than just bubble baths and mini breaks, it’s also about taking the time to do a great food shop and spend time preparing meals that will make you feel like your best self, from the inside out. Also, I’m going to state something really obvious here, but foods that are good for your gut are really delicious too, yogurt, berries and granola; yes please! Avocado on toast; bring it on. Freshy made berry smoothie; I’ll take two! This isn’t diet food, this is happy, healthy, delicious food!
Now that I’ve hopefully convinced you that gut health is REALLY important, I’m going to let you into a little secret. I’ve already mentioned that yogurt, fruit and granola is great for your gut, but last week saw the launch of Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola which is EVEN better for you than ever. As well as gut-friendly oats, it also contains oodles of other gut-friendly ingredients like a almonds, cashew nuts, pumpkin seeds, linseeds, sunflower seeds, walnut pieces to name a few, as well as… and here’s the clever part…. GUT FRIENDLY BACTERIA! Plus it’s sweetened with black treacle, desiccated coconut and fruit sugars, so it tastes delicious without giving you that sugar high and sugar crash. It makes your gut friendly yogurt and granola a billion times better for you, because each serving contains a billion Bacillus Coagulans (friendly microbes of bacteria) cultures.
Good Bacteria
Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola is the easiest and most delicious way to support your tummy’s good bacteria and maintain good digestion. Always remember, healthy gut = happy you and if you haven’t been feeling quite yourself recently, ask yourself if you gut is happy and if you haven’t been eating as many gut-friendly foods recently, get yourself down to Sainsbury’s and buy a bag of Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola, yogurt, berries and some other gut-friendly meals and see how you feel. Happiness starts from within, my friends!
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A huge thank you to Lizi’s Granola for sponsoring this post. As much as this is an advert, I truly believe a healthy gut makes us feel healthier and happier from the outside in. Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola is high in fibre, GM free, vegan friendly and low in gluten, you can buy it online at Lizi’s website or at Sainsbury’s.
