Want a healthy gut? Here’s why you should avoid eating raw salad
Holistic chef Lee Holmes, from Sydney, advised that raw salads can cause aggravation to your gut
IF you are a fan of hitting the salad bar at lunch, you might be interested to know that it could actually be aggravating your gut.
Food author and holistic chef Lee Holmes, from Sydney, has revealed that raw salads made from spinach, leafy greens and carrot should be avoided in some cases.
Speaking to , the health guru revealed how people can have a bad reaction to uncooked veg.
She said: “While I'm not going to be the person to tell you to stop eating raw salads as they can be enzymatically fruitful, some people with sensitive digestive systems can struggle with eating and digesting raw vegetables.”
But don’t give up on a veggie lunch, as there are plenty of ways to enjoy them.
Lee revealed: “Root vegetables, like parsnips, carrots and sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free, rich in prebiotic fibre and provide a whole load of nutrients.”
She explained that these veggies have a low glycaemic index which means that they won’t add to digestive issues.
And what is even better is the prebiotic fibres help to ease digestion and maintain a healthy community of bacteria in the gut.
Lee, who has recently released the book Supercharge Your Gut, gave a number of other tips for transforming your gut and improving your well-being.
Spice up your life
One of Lee’s recommendations for helping your gut is to add spice to food.
She explained: “Chilli can reduce inflammation and help with problems within the gut by reducing negative gut bacteria.”
The foodie expert recommended turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the amount of curcumin it contains, which eases digestion.
Ginger was also high on the list for containing “anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial compounds”.
Avoid sugar-free treats
Many people keen to ditch the pounds reach for sugar-free treats to lose weight.
However, doing this could actually be more harmful to your gut, thanks to artificial additives the food can contain instead.
Lee recommends reaching for fresh, wholefood ingredients instead of these snacks, and to drink plenty of herbal teas and water to get rid of any bad bacteria.
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Be kind to your gut
Lee advised that you should adjust your weekly shop to include gut-friendly ingredients.
The top recommendations she gave are turmeric, slow-cooked vegetables and meat, aloe vera and gelatine.
She said: “By consuming slow-cooked and cooked foods like bone broths, soups, curries, and adding healing spices such as turmeric and ginger your body will allow itself the time it needs to rest and digest whilst still healing and sealing the lining of the gut so you can absorb more nutrients from your food.”
Lee Holmes's new book, , is available to buy now.
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