In an ideal world, we should steer clear of all ultra-processed foods to avoid the damage they do to our health.1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32792031/ However, this is easier said than done as they have become a large part of the typical British diet.2https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/02/big-effort-needed-on-uk-diet-to-fight-ultra-processed-food-say-health-experts
Ultra-processed foods are high in calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and are typically low in essential nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and minerals.3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986467/ They have a negative effect on the gut microbiome and can contribute to a range of health issues including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32792031/ Read more in our article Ultra-processed foods β the ones to watch!.
Here are five simple swaps that can contribute to a healthier, more balanced diet without requiring drastic changes to your eating habits π
- Replace supermarket bread with homemade bread: Try this easy bread-maker recipe for a fibre-rich whole-grain loaf. It contains much more fibre and nutrients, providing fuel for good gut bacteria.
- Choose natural (ideally live) Greek yoghurt over flavoured yoghurt: Select plain, Greek yoghurt instead of flavoured yoghurts, which often contain added sugars and unnecessary ingredients. You can add natural sweetness with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
- Make your own smoothies instead of ready-made shop-bought ones. Smoothies also contain fibre, which slows down the absorption of sugars and provides additional gut health benefits. Here are our recommended gut-healthy smoothies for you to try.
- Make your own salad dressing: Create a homemade salad dressing using olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice such as this Antioxidant French dressing.
- Choose your snacks wisely: Instead of processed snacks, have some of El’s gut-healthy snacks pre-prepared for when you’re on the move and want to avoid packaged shop-bought snacks – see recipes here: How can you make your snacks gut-healthy?
Check out 5 ways to detox naturally this New Year. For easy, gut-healthy recipes, take a look at the recipes section of the Gut Health Express blog!
Questions? Feel free to contact us on live chat (weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm) to speak to one of our nutritional therapists.
References
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