Why do we eat well?
We all have a different ‘why’ behind our dietary choices and motivation to eat well, but mostly, we eat well to support our bodies healthy functioning; to promote longevity and support the operation of our organs and bodily systems. However, what is the bridge connecting the food (or nutrients) we eat to the organs we are trying to support? Our gut! We need our digestive system to absorb the nutrients we consume through food, to help them to reach their desired purpose (or location) in the body. Like transporting calcium to our bones. If our gut is unable to digest or absorb certain vitamins and minerals efficiently, this can be problematic.
Doing what we can to support the health of our gut and create a more diverse microbiome, will not only help to promote digestion and absorption, but can impact our mental health too - it is where 90-95% of our feel-good hormone ‘serotonin’ is produced.
As well as this, 70% of our immune cells live along out gut lining, meaning a healthy gut can lead to a healthy functioning immune system!
So, which of our Garden products can you gut your hands on to support digestive health?! Have a little read!
- Our Seasonal Salad Bar
If you’ve tried it already, you’ll know our ever-changing salad bar is filled with different colours and plant sources, adding new elements of fibre to our diet each day! Eating colourful fibre provides us with a diverse range of nutrients to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Colourful foods also provide us with polyphenols which travel through the body working to lower inflammation. Win win!
- Kick Start Shot
Our kick start shot contains apple cider vinegar. ACV helps to support stomach acid production. We need an acidic environment in our stomach to help destroy pathogens which have entered the body, as well as successfully create gastric juices needed to help digest certain nutrients. Drink your kick start shot before brunch to aid stomach acid production and support digestion!
- Fridge ferments - Kimchi & Kombucha
Our local Kombucha supplier ‘Hip Pop’ and Kimchi supplier ‘Loving Foods’ regularly fill our fridges with fermented goodness. The kimchi is made using cruciferous vegetables - rich in ‘gut friendly’ folate, and the juices create a probiotic rich brine, another digestion win! Kombucha is a fermented tea rich in prebiotics, its live beneficial bacteria support our microbiome to maintain healthy balance.
- Tempeh Sandwich
For those of you who don’t know, Tempeh is made from fermented soy beans. It’s a nutrient dense plant protein containing all nine essential amino acids, as well as calcium, iron and magnesium!
The fermentation process makes tempeh a great probiotic, working to feed, support and develop our gut bacteria.
- Buddha Bowl
Our buddha bowl has so many benefits! The lentils, sweet potato and black rice offer complex carbohydrates, fibre and prebiotics – a gut friendly trio! It’s topped with a dose of Cortido for extra fermented benefits. Eating a diverse range of plant fibre will create a more diverse gut microbiome. The buddha bowl definitely offers this – along with being one of the most popular dishes on the menu, it’s a must try!
- Om Love smoothie
Our om love smoothie is filled with fruity fibre. Our human cells cannot actually digest fibre, however it’s our gut bacteria’s preferred source of fuel. Our gut microbes create short chain fatty acids from the fibre we consume, which can support absorption as well as create a positive environment for digestion. The smoothie also contains turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits, and our favourite warming spice, ginger, which helps to enliven digestive fire and encourages muscle movement in the gut! This smoothie is my go too, and might help you head to the loo!
There we have a few things to look out for in the café if you’re working to prioritise good gut health. That said, the majority of our colourful, fibre rich menu will help in this department. Another excuse to work your way through the menu – gut friendly foods, galore!
Holistic Health Coach - Anna Whyte