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Have you increased your energy levels through better gut health?

16 replies

Nilbog · 14/03/2021 16:00

I’m really interested in the gut/mind connection and the benefits to both physical and mental health.

I am tired all the time. Nothing show up in bloods and I take supplements. My diet isn’t great at the moment and the only time I remember feeling full of energy is when I did the Gillian McKeith diet Blush.

I’m wondering if others have improved their energy levels through changing what you eat, particularly if you increased the amount of probiotics and probiotics in your diet.

OP posts:
Kaiken · 14/03/2021 18:43

We are what we eat. So, if don't eat well, you will be feel bad. Having a diet high in vegetables and fibres brings benefits way beyond gut microbiota.
Many things affect sleep and energy levels, but food is fuel, so start there.

redpandaalert · 14/03/2021 20:25

Yes diet high in vegetables and whole grain - not a low carb diet soo oats. Rye. Quinoa etc at every meal. Gutfull a good guide on Audible. Variety is key for fruit snd veg. Very little evidence that prebiotics or probiotics work very well. No processed food snd no sugar. Lots of fish and legumes and little red meat Today was the first day in 10 days I’ve had a non fruit sugar and any processed food - I’m now tired and sluggish. I’ve cut out milk and it’s helped

Nilbog · 14/03/2021 21:00

Yes @Kaiken, unfortunately I seem to have a gap between my knowledge and my behaviour.

I definitely need more vegetables. I love vegetables, I’m really not sure why I buy them and let them wither away.

OP posts:
Nilbog · 14/03/2021 21:04

I’ll look up Gutfull, thanks @redpandaalert. I crave dairy items which I’ve read is often a sign NOT to eat them.

I don’t eat much red meat but I could cut down further. Fish is another favourite of mine that rarely gets a look in.

I need a plan to get me on track.

OP posts:
ExtraordinaryQuince · 14/03/2021 21:13

@Nilbog

Yes *@Kaiken*, unfortunately I seem to have a gap between my knowledge and my behaviour.

I definitely need more vegetables. I love vegetables, I’m really not sure why I buy them and let them wither away.

Vegetables seem to go off really quickly these days- half of the problem.
Nilbog · 14/03/2021 21:16

I’m going to start with overnight oats for breakfast which I’ll add some nuts and seeds to. Maybe an apple with cinnamon if I fancy.

I’ve got lots of hummus in the fridge so that’s a good start for my legume intake. I like to eat it with carrots so I can tick the orange veg box.

I’ve also got some cabbage, leeks and cauliflower that I can cook tomorrow. I’ll eat some lamb with it because that’s what I have but the rest of the week I’ll have chicken and fish with broccoli, avocado, blueberries, aubergines, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and chicory (can you tell I’m ordering my shopping?).

OP posts:
Nilbog · 14/03/2021 21:48

Good point @ExtraordinaryQuince (I’m glad you can’t see the poor furry quince I’ve neglected to eat).

I need to eat them before they turn.

OP posts:
PegLegAntoine · 14/03/2021 23:02

I’ve wondered about kefir but I struggle with different drinks - what’s the taste and texture like please?

Cormoran · 14/03/2021 23:04

Introducing healthy bacteria isn't enough for gut health if you do not also provide the food they need. I always make the analogy that taking or eating probiotics without changing the diet is like sending humans to Mars without sending food to feed them. You can have rockets landing every single day but the colony will not survive or thrive. So yes to all the fermented food and drinks you want, but you need to seriously increase your fibre and healthy carb intake as well, otherwise, you might just as well flush the probiotics pills straight in the toilet.

Leeks are great, especially the green part that everyone bins. Wash the leeks, white and green, Cut them in half lengthwise, put on bigger bowl in the house, add smoked paprika , nutritional yeast, a bit of salt, a bit of extra virgin olive oil , lay on try one slice net to the other, and put in hot oven at 210 degree . You will hav veto make several trays.

Everythingiswonderful · 15/03/2021 15:02

Cormorant Op is changing her diet, that’s why I suggested the kefir.

@PegLegAntoine some are nicer than others. Some are also thicker than others -sorry, not much help I know but they really do all taste so different. Some of them are quite sour and fizz on the tongue, some are really smooth and quite sweet. Maybe try a flavoured one to start with to see if you can manage the thickness?

Cormoran · 15/03/2021 18:33

@Everythingiswonderful oh but my post wasn't directed at you at all but at the OP, as a further encouragement to changing her diet.

As much as you introduce food that will make favourable species thrive, you also need to cut the food supply for the harmful one, and this means, eliminating ultra processed food and reducing the amount of meats if you are having it like many three times a day (eggs and bacons morning, chicken lunch and beef in evening), processed meat are especially bad for the gut.

It doesn't have to be veggies only. Rolled oats, cold pasta from the night before, ideally wholemeal.
It won't be an immediate process, but once the change is done, your taste buds will change because everybody forgets about the microbiome in the mouth, and they need feeding as well, so eat crunchy things, apples, celery, fennel (fennel and celery , but not together, are lovely with the juice of a freshly squeezed orange, Cut the celery or fennel as thinly as you can, sprinkle some salt, extra virgin olive oil, the orange juice, and a tiny bit of red wine vinegar) .

the problem with the veggies I see here in Australia, is that most people don't know what to do with them or how to cook them to make them delicious to the point you would prefer the vegetables over something else.
Garlic, fresh rosemary and olive oil is your friend for all oven roasted veggies.
Soup is often overlooked. Think the thick French onion soup, a true Christmas dinner for your gut bacteria, and so easy to make.

chickadeeeeeeeee · 15/03/2021 19:09

comoran Your suggestions sound delicious and I agree about processed food. I have noticed bloating etc when I eat processed stuff and have tried to remove it from my diet

Soups and salads are great, but I am trying to balance this otherwise I am constantly running to the loo Wink

Cormoran · 15/03/2021 19:49

chickadeeeeeeeee what about homemade hummus . You can reduce the fibre if your gut is still sensitive by re-boiling the can of chickpeas. Open can, empty water in sink, rinse chickpea and let them simmer for 20 min in a small pot of water with 1 teaspoon of bicarb soda. The shell of the chickpeas will come to the surface and you can remove them with a fork, and then make the hummus as usual. It will be super creamy.

Flaxseed is another option to add to your oats, or have you ever tried chia seeds pudding? With frozen raspberry which you let melt in a small pot until syrupy and with a bit of honey or Marple syrup, it is really nice.

Be warned, once you eat real stuff, the fake one tastes vile.

LunaHeather · 15/03/2021 19:52

Oh dear, dare I google Gillian M?

OP when I was working stupid hours I had home made green smoothies daily - often missed meals but it's a good way to have your veg with no faff. Used a Nutri Bullet so all the fibre still in there.

I've never taken a supplement but always have seeds in porridge or with yogurt.

chickadeeeeeeeee · 15/03/2021 20:30

comoran lovely suggestions, thanks 😊

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