You may have seen in recent cooking trends that gut health recipes are the new black!

Here’s why: our gut health is incredibly important at all stages of life. It is linked to so many other bodily systems, with new connections emerging between gut health and mental illness and even improving symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease. It is the starting point for an overall healthy body.

Therefore, after bariatric surgery, harnessing gut health recipes to improve your gut microbiome is more important than ever.

 

The Importance of Gut Health

 

Your gut contains trillions of microscopic bacteria that help you to break down and absorb food. If these bacteria become unbalanced, you may not be getting the nutrients you need, and it may affect other systems in your body, such as your nervous system and your hormones.

 

Using gut health recipes to improve our gut health can result in:

• Improved absorption of nutrients from the healthy foods you eat – this is essential after weight loss surgery as you are eating smaller portions, and you need to absorb as much nutrients as possible.
• Stronger immune function – this is ideal when healing from surgery.
• Improved mental health and energy levels
• Improved metabolism
• Fewer cravings and balancing out of your appetite
• Improved sleep
• Balancing your hormones

 

How do I improve my gut health after bariatric surgery?

 

The key is incorporating gut health recipes into your diet before surgery and consistently eating these meals afterwards.

 

To improve gut health in the lead up to weight loss surgery and after:

• Add a serving of (non-starchy) vegetables to at least 2 of your main meals
• Increase your fibre intake (slowly, over time) by incorporating things like beans, lentils, broccoli, avocados and whole grains.
• For snacking – pick high protein and high fibre options like chia pudding or chickpea-based choices.

 

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, and if you have any questions about gut health, do not hesitate to ask.

Get started with this delicious gut health recipe from PranaThrive:

 

Beef and Cabbage Soup

This recipe is excellent for warming up in the winter while taking good care of your gut. It’s easy to throw together and can be saved and reheated on the stove throughout the week

 

Ingredients:

650g grass-fed ground beef

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt

½ cup diced onion

½ cup diced celery

½ cup diced carrot

1 can organic diced or crushed tomatoes

5 cups chopped green cabbage

4 cups bone broth or filtered water

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

 

Instructions:

1. Heat a pot to medium-high, add the olive oil and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned.
2. Now the add the onion, celery and carrots and saute for about 5 minutes, until onion is translucent.
3. Add the tomatoes, cabbage, bone broth, fresh thyme and bay leaves.
4. Turn heat to low and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 – 40 minutes.
5. Remove bay leaves and serve warm.

 

Find nutritional facts and pictures of the recipe here.

 

Got any questions about gut health after bariatric surgery? Contact us today!