Gut Health

GUT HEALTH

Compounds which promote gut health encourage digestion and metabolism. They promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.

Recipes that promote gut health are below.

To learn more about a healthy gut, click the icon.
August 6, 2019

Summer Vacation Oatmeal

Hot cereal is not just for the fall and winter anymore! Quick and easy to make, whole oats offer health benefits like gut-healthy fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Adding other unprocessed ingredients like ground flaxseeds for omega-3 fatty acids and fiber as well as a small portion of almonds or pecans balances the carbohydrate content with healthful protein and fat sources. Feel free to add whichever other ingredients you favor to create your optimal, healthy breakfast or snack – even in the warmer months. Ingredients ½ cup whole rolled oats (not instant) 1 cup milk of your choice (unsweetened almond, […]
June 11, 2019

Black Bean Salad

Black beans and pasilla chiles give this salad a Southwestern flavor, and red rice makes it fun and different. A lime vinaigrette brings it all together. You can use regular wild rice and store-bought corn. Black beans and wild rice both have protein for building muscles, bones, and blood, and fiber for gut health. Red rice also contains anthocyanins, antioxidants that protect the heart. The red pepper adds lots of the antioxidants vitamin A and C, which contribute to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained ½ cup cooked red rice ¼ cup julienned […]
May 28, 2019

Turmeric-Garlic Potato Salad

Potatoes are versatile and packed full of nutrients: a perfect side dish. Think outside the typical, rich potato salad to create this lightened up, non-traditional version. Unexpected flavors including turmeric and tahini blend together in a fresh sauce that complements the roasted flavor of the potatoes. By adding cabbage, this potato salad gets crunchy. Roast these small potatoes with the skin on then serve with a light, tangy, antioxidant-packed sauce for an irresistible side-dish sure to please. The fiber from the veggies and the yogurt’s probiotics lead to good gut health. Serves 6 Ingredients 1 lb. fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise […]
April 2, 2019

Atchara Pickle

When I was a teenager, my mom and I would make atchara together. Atchara is a sweet-and-sour pickle made with green, unripe papayas and other vegetables. My mom would make florets out of a few carrots because they added beauty and color to the pickle. Eaten with grilled pork or fried fish, it’s considered a national dish of the Philippines. In America, I eat it with BBQ, grilled meat, and smoked fish. Papayas contain papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. This is why I sometimes use green papaya as a meat tenderizer. (There is less papain in ripe […]
March 13, 2019

Superfood Granola

With walnuts, goji berries, blueberries, and chia seeds, this delicious homemade granola recipe is filled with nourishing whole foods. Walnuts and chia seeds provide healthy fats, including essential omega 3’s, while berries are a rich source of immune-boosting antioxidants. All of the fiber in the nuts, seeds, oats, and fruits contributes to gut health and detoxification. Use this granola as a topping for yogurt, smoothie bowls, and oatmeal, or eat it all on its own for a satisfying, sweet snack. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup rolled oats ½ cup roughly chopped almonds ½ cup walnut halves and pieces ¼ cup […]
January 14, 2019

Broccoli Steps It Up With Miso

Plain veggies can be boring but doctoring them up with savory miso and spices can make anyone a lover—even of broccoli, cauliflower, or kale. Japanese miso is a fermented soybean paste you can buy in the refrigerated section of natural food stores. Miso tastes salty and savory; some people describe it as earthy. White miso paste, which is preferred in Kyoto, Japan, has a more delicate flavor than brown or red miso paste. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain slightly bitter compounds that may help kill cancer cells. Miso provides probiotic bacteria for a healthy gut. […]
November 12, 2018

Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate

Brussels sprouts, pomegranate, and four common pantry ingredients are all that is needed to put together this colorful and crowd-pleasing side dish. Roasted Brussels sprouts are easy to make and filled with digestion-boosting fiber and beneficial antioxidants. Even those skeptical of this healthy cruciferous vegetable will love it alongside tart and juicy pomegranate and chopped walnuts. Enjoy this plant-based dish throughout the fall and winter seasons! Serves 2 Ingredients 16 halved Brussels sprouts 2 Tbs. coconut oil Salt and pepper to taste ⅓ cup pomegranate arils ⅓ cup walnut halves and pieces (toasted if desired) 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive […]
August 22, 2018

Watercress Dressing

Use this on just about any green leafy salad with fresh vegetables. For a thinner dressing, use regular or low fat yogurt. Marinated or flavored, crumbled feta cheese might be fun to use in this recipe. Other nice additions would be ¼ tsp. of crushed garlic and/or ⅛ cup of red onion. Raw watercress contains chlorophyll, a great detoxifyer. Yogurt has probiotics that promote gut health. YIELDS 2 cups Ingredients 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 cup whole watercress leaves, without stems ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese ½ tsp. salt or salt substitute Dash of black or white pepper Procedure […]
December 30, 2015

Herbed Spinach-Artichoke Dip

The winter months are full of rich foods and parties. This time of year is for celebrating with friends and family, but does it have to lead to yearly weight gain? Support the health of the ones you love with a lighter, healthier holiday classic dip that retains all of its flavor. Artichokes are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; they are also a source of probiotics, which support gut health by feeding the good bacteria that live there. This simple high-fiber dip can be made in minutes with one simple step: blend until smooth! Serve this savory dip alongside […]
April 27, 2011

Tangy Ginger Dressing

Ginger gives this dressing its flavor as well as amazing anti-inflammatory benefits and pain-reducing effects. It also relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and aids digestion. Buy the whole gingerroot, then peel or cut off about an inch of the rough skin. Grate only as much ginger as you need, and put the root back into the refrigerator, ready to be peeled and grated for the next dish. I use this dressing with my Green Tea Noodles with Edamame and over my Spinach and Grapefruit Salad. It works well with any mixed green salad. YIELDS about 1/4 cup Ingredients 1 Tbs. grated […]