GUT HEALTH
Compounds which promote gut health encourage digestion and metabolism. They promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
Recipes that promote gut health are below.
To learn more about a healthy gut, click the icon.
April 9, 2024
This hearty, filling salad has a nice mix of textures thanks to the chewy grains, crunchy raw vegetables, and soft-cooked vegetables. The vinaigrette and dried golden berries add a sweet-sour tang. You can chill this salad for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, but I typically serve it right away. BENEFITS: Whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa provide detoxifying fiber, which keeps you feeling full to help you lose weight. Quinoa and wild rice are good sources of Omega-3s, which keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Golden berries and red bell peppers contain […]
March 12, 2024
These squares are like lemon bars but made with antioxidant-rich baobab. Baobab is an African fruit that has a powdery texture. You can buy it from Amazon or you can use fresh lemon juice (3 Tbs.) or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) instead of the baobab powder. Feel free to substitute gluten-free flour for the wheat-based flour. BENEFITS: Baobab is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that appears to guard against heart disease and stroke and also protects the skin from the aging effects of ultraviolet rays. It contains fiber, which helps with detoxification and gut health. Yields 12 […]
January 29, 2024
This blended drink helps with your immunity, gut health, and even detoxification. Yogurt has probiotics which keep the good bacteria in your intestines flourishing. This is important because the intestinal tract is a main component of your body’s immune system. Strawberries are very high in vitamin C, a known immunity booster. Limes also have vitamin C and the acid from their juice helps the stomach break down food. Certain flavanoids in limes help detox the body and act as anti-bacterial agents. In some countries limes are used as a natural antibiotic. The carrot juice (or orange juice) provides beta-carotene which […]
January 16, 2024
This curry is delicious over white or black rice. I use monk fruit sweetener to reduce the impact cane or beet sugar can have on your blood glucose levels. Monk fruit also has NO CALORIES, and it’s completely natural. You can use coconut sugar instead, but like cane sugar, it will impact your blood sugar and is caloric. Benefits: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down proteins. Coconut milk contains some medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are broken down more easily by the body, as well as the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral lauric acid. Serves 4 […]
December 19, 2023
Indian Sheet Pan Chicken with Chickpeas The spices in this dish are inspired by Indian cuisine. The acid in the yogurt marinade helps tenderize the chicken. The sugar helps brown the chicken skin and caramelize it as it roasts. Be sure to toss the chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and cauliflower florets occasionally, coating them in the chicken fat as it renders. Benefits: Chickpeas contain fiber which aids digestion, increases satiety, and helps lower blood cholesterol. The iron in chickpeas helps transport oxygen properly throughout the body. The zinc they contain may play a role in reducing your risk of macular degeneration. […]
September 24, 2023
Cauliflower Steaks with Goat Cheese These cauliflower steaks can serve as a vegetarian main course or sit beautifully alongside grass-fed, grilled rib-eye or Porterhouse steaks. Piment d’Espelette is the French version of paprika. It’s mild and full-flavored. You can use paprika or red pepper flakes (1 tsp.) instead. A member of the nutrition-packed, cruciferous cabbage family along with Brussels sprouts and broccoli, cauliflower is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich, and may boost both heart and brain health. Eating cauliflower provides impressive amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, and much more while supporting healthy digestion and detoxification. Cauliflower has indoles (sulfur compounds) […]
August 30, 2023
Fig Salad Figs are an excellent source of fiber which promotes gut health and helps pull toxins out of the body. One serving of this salad provides about 12-15 percent of the daily requirement, in addition to some benefits from antioxidants, beta-carotene, and potassium. Figs also contain anthocyanins, which help reduce the risk of cancer. Deep purple figs have a greater concentration of anthocyanins than green or golden figs. Balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants and helps boost metabolism and regulate blood sugar. Slightly sweet and slightly tart, this salad also works well as an appetizer or dessert. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 1 […]
August 16, 2023
Stuffed Petite Peppers I like to combine the nutty flavor of millet with Canadian bacon and chlorophyll-laced parsley to make a satisfying filling for these cute pepper appetizers. Millet is a protein-rich but under-used whole grain. Gluten-free, it can be cooked like rice and used in place of white rice in many recipes–simply use three parts water to one part grain. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 1/2 cup millet 1 1/2 cups water 4 tsp. olive oil 4 slices Canadian bacon 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 tsp. paprika 1 medium egg white 8-10 mini […]
July 31, 2023
Veracruz Street Corn Bowl Mexican street corn (maíz callejero) is roasted ears slathered with chile powder and mayonnaise. My version treats the corn with a lighter touch, calorically speaking, and includes black beans, brown rice, and the crunch of Romaine and jicama. Benefits: Black beans contain protein, tissue-repairing lysine, vitamin B-6 for producing energy, calcium for building strong bones, and collagen-building zinc. Corn provides zinc, eye-healthy lutein, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that fights free-radical damage in your cells. Brown rice is full of fiber for gut health as well as beneficial trace minerals. Serves 4 Ingredients […]
July 19, 2023
The mangoes in this salsa give it a tropical flavor profile. Their sweetness nicely balances the zing from the vinegar and the heat from the habanero. This salsa is delicious over chicken or fish. If you want less heat, remove all the habanero seeds. Benefits Mangoes, like all orange fruits and veggies, contain antioxidant carotenoids, which help inhibit cancer and tumor growth, reduce your risk of heart disease, and support healthy immune function. The vitamin A in mangoes supports the healthy growth of skin and hair and keeps your eyes healthy. Unpasteurized vinegar contains many different nutrients, including those from […]
June 6, 2023
Soup isn’t just for winter anymore! This hearty, flavorful soup features anti-inflammatory ingredients balanced with fiber for gut health, protein and healthy fats. Plenty of fresh and dried herbs and spices liven up the flavor as beans take the center stage in this dish. Blending part of the soup helps it maintain a complex texture while taking on a creaminess. Soup makes wonderful leftovers as flavors mingle over time. It also freezes well so it is perfect for weekend batch cooking and planning ahead for busy weekends ahead. Enjoy this light, healthy soup this spring. SERVES 6 Ingredients 2 Tbs. […]
August 30, 2022
Soursop (Guanabana) Lassi From my first book, The Age GRACEFULLY Cookbook, here is an easy and delicious beverage featuring guanabana. Called, Soursop Lassi, it’s essentially a lassi drink from India made with yogurt and a pinch of salt. Mango lassi is very popular in Indian restaurants. I put a South American spin on the healthful drink by using guanabana in place of the mango. Guanabana provides antioxidants, immune-boosting vitamin C and riboflavin. Yogurt has beneficial probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. Learn more about the benefits of soursop here. You can find frozen guanabana pulp in Latin markets. Ingredients […]
August 30, 2022
No-cook recipes should be easy, quick, and healthy. Be ready to entertain any time with this simple crowd-pleasing hummus. Fresh herbs add depth to a classic chickpea blend bursting with flavor from rich tahini paste, fresh lemon juice and zest and savory garlic. Quick to make, you can whip this up in a matter of minutes with your food processor. Beans provide heart-healthy protein and detoxifying fiber which is good for gut health. Ingredients ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup tahini paste ¼ cup lemon juice ½ tsp. fresh lemon zest 2 garlic cloves 1 ½ Tbs. fresh thyme, picked […]