Keep the bacteria in your gut healthy and you will lose weight. FACT!

Unhealthy gut bacteria can produce food cravings. By balancing your gut bacteria, you can improve your mood, skin appearance and boost your immune system.

Eating a poor diet that’s high in sugar, refined carbohydrate grains, processed foods and artificial sweeteners can deplete our gut bacteria.

While some of your gut bacteria is determined by genetics, life­style and also dietary habits can have a dramatic impact on your mix of beneficial and harmful microbes.

Check out the following tips below to optimise your gut health and bacteria:

(1) Eat whole, unprocessed, unrefined foods - One of the best ways to maintain gut health, involves cutting out sugar & refined carbs and upping gut-supporting fibre.

(2) Eat good fats and oils - Good fats like omega 3 and monounsaturated fats, such as extra-virgin olive oil will help to decrease inflammation, giving your healthy gut bugs a chance to flourish.

(3) Balance your plate - Make each meal 2/3 plant foods (vegetables and/or fruits) and 1/3 protein. Variety is key, so aim for as many different types of vegetables and fruit as possible per week.

(4) Relax and chew - Chewing stimulates acid and enzyme production for digestion and the renewal of cells in the gut lining, which you need to absorb nutrients from food.

(5) Avoid snacking - Sticking to regular meal times, helps you tune into your 'full’ and 'hungry’ signals and avoid over eating.

(6) Snack smarter - Bacteria need complex carbohydrates, like legumes and whole grains, in order to thrive. So when you get too many calories from sweets, you're leaving your microbes hungry. Avoid the biscuit when your stomach starts growling at 3:00p.m and reach for a handful of nuts or an apple instead.

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