A lot of women struggling to find ways to maintain their energy levels, banish bloating and fight off recurring illnesses, often the result of being run down, and interestingly a lot of these patients have a single thing in common – poor digestion! Sydney based Naturopath, Emma Sutherland, shares her top tips for getting your guts into shape and feeling lighter, brighter and back on top!
As around 70 per cent of the immune system is located in the gut, having a correctly functioning digestive system plays a fundamental role in supporting your overall health and wellbeing. your digestion is compromised, your body will be unable to absorb the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in your food and nutrient deficiencies can start to occur, affecting not only how you feel but also how you look.
Complaints such as bloating, gas and constipation are often traced back to poor diet, stress or antibiotics, all of which can lead to the depletion of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, essential for good digestion.
Expert Naturopath, Emma Sutherland’s Top Digestive Tips:
• Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol as these alter the pH of the digestive system making it more acidic.
• Reduce or avoid gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, oats and barley
• Check to see if you have a dairy intolerance by avoiding all dairy for two weeks and then re-introduce it and observe if your digestive symptoms flare.
• Take a good quality probiotic supplement, daily to aid digestion and help support the immune system.
Rescu. recommends: Wagner’s Probiotica P3
• Eat in pleasant surroundings, sitting down and enjoying your food. If you are rushed, walking or distracted, you are more likely to eat quickly without chewing properly.
• Chew your food! Chewing helps to break down your food, easing the burden on your lower digestive system.
• Try not to drink large volumes of fluid at least half an hour before a meal.
• Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice in a small amount of water before a meal to improve your digestion.
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, even if you only manage two minutes each day.
• Eat fresh organic food as it contains more nutritional value and no pesticides, additives or preservatives.
Digestive Super Food – Greek Yoghurt
Dietician, Nikki Briggs, gives us the facts about delicious Greek Yoghurt.
While many people think the phrase “Greek yogurt” describes where a yogurt’s made, it actually refers to how it’s made. Specifically, the phrase references the unique straining process used to remove excess liquid made up of water and liquid whey from the yogurt. It’s this process that makes Greek yogurt thick, creamy and higher in protein than regular yogurt, giving it a consistency between that of yogurt and cheese, while preserving its distinctive tart flavour.
In addition to having a more interesting taste and mouth feel, Greek yogurt is also rich with health benefits. Authentically made brands, provide two times more protein and are lower in lactose than their non-strained counterparts.
Rescu. recommends: Chobani Greek Yogurt.
They also contain good for you live and active cultures, which are living organisms, or “cultures,” added to milk to make yogurt. This fermentation process is what creates yogurt, with its unique taste, texture and health benefits.
Authentic Greek yogurts are also naturally gluten free, Kosher Certified and free of gelatin so they’re a great option for vegetarians. They’re also lower in lactose than regular yogurt so they’re a great option with people with sensitivities to lactose.
Chobani Greek Yogurt is available in Woolworths in NSW and Victoria for $1.99/170g RRP and $5.79/907g.
For more info head to www.chobani.com.au
For more on Emma Sutherland, visit www.emmasutherland.com.au and for more information on health supplements, visit www.wagnerproducts.com.au
