Meals That Are Great For Your Gut Health

When trying to stay healthy and lean, it is important to think about the good gut food we put into our bodies. Intuitive and smart eating is an important part of our lives, and understanding the benefits of different foods can help us to make informed decisions about how to support our gut and hormones.

Whether you want to boost your metabolism, balance hormones, make your Dentist happier, or lose some weight before your holidays – eating the right foods is key. Today we are going to talk about some of the best recipes you can eat to supply your body with those essential nutrients you need for a healthy gut and happy hormones. 

Packed vegetable soup 

Vegetable soup is an easy meal idea to make and it is one that will fill your body up with vitamins and minerals to fuel your day the right way. This recipe has lots of veggies in it and it is ideal for a midweek meal with a bread roll to fuel you for work. 

Ingredients:

• 400g chopped tomatoes 
• 1 tbsp tomato puree 
• 1 pack cherry tomatoes 
• 2 bell peppers 
• 1 large white onion
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 3 tbsp mixed herbs 
• 1 spring onion 
• 100g butternut squash 
• 1 zucchini 
• 1 sweet potato 
• 1 eggplant 

1. Chop up all of your vegetables into diced pieces, chopping the onion into a fine dice. Add to a large roasting dish and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and your mixed herbs. 
2. Roast for 45 minutes at 200C. 
3. Take ⅔ of your vegetable mixture and blend, add to a pan with chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. Add the rest of your vegetables. 
4. You can optionally add 1 tsp sugar here to offset the acid of the tomato. 
5. Simmer for 10 minutes. 
6. Serve. 

Slow cooked beef and veggies 

It is important for you to get lots of protein in your diet, as well as iron and zinc to build a healthy gut. This recipe brings these ingredients in a simple stew that is ideally served with spinach leaves and broccoli. 

Ingredients

• 500g diced beef
• 1 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes 
• 1 tsp worcester sauce 
• 150ml red wine 
• 1 beef stock cube 
• 250ml water 
• 200g chanteney carrots
• 1 bell pepper

1. Brown your beef in a pan with flour, salt and pepper. The flour will help to thicken the sauce later on during cooking as well as bring a lovely browned skin to the beef. 
2. In a casserole dish or a slow cooker, add your beef, chopped tomatoes, worcester sauce, water, and stock cube. Mix together and add red wine. 
3. Add chanteney carrots whole, as well as sliced peppers. 
4. Cook for 4-6 hours in a slow cooker, or in the oven for 2 hours at 180C. 
5. Serve with steamed broccoli and spinach. 

Spiced chicken and couscous 

This simple meal is quick, perfect for lunch, and will fill you up for the day. 

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts 
• 1 tsp cumin 
• ½ tsp chilli powder 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp mixed herbs 
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 200g couscous 
• 200ml boiling water 

1. In a bowl, add your couscous, lemon juice, and water. Cover with cling film and leave for 10 minutes until the water is absorbed. 
2. Season your chicken with spices and pan fry for 4-5 minutes to each side. Serve!