There is so much information out there on gut health and much of it is conflicting, confusing and often anecdotal (may have worked for one person, not necessarily right for everyone). As a clinician focused on gut health, I know that this is because the field of gastrointestinal health is amazing and fascinating, research is constantly emerging at a fast pace, and it is so important for our overall health long term to have a well-functioning digestive system.

The gut plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy immune system with the gastrointestinal tract housing 70-80% of the immune system. Nurturing your gut health and microbiome can strengthen your body’s defences against seasonal illnesses. Here are some foods and tips to help nourish your gut this Winter.

One of the easiest ways we can provide nourishment for the variety of bacteria found in our gut is to make sure that our intake of wholefoods is diverse.

Starting your day prepared and having a healthy morning routine can help significantly to improve your energy levels throughout the day and support your overall gut health and digestion. Here are a few steps that can help:

We hear so much about the gut–brain connection and it can be a little unclear as to what that actually means. There is a lot to it but for the sake of not wanting to present you with a textbook length blog post, here is a little introduction.

These two terms, Microbiota and the Microbiome are often used interchangeably when discussing the digestive system or the Gut (which you will hear me refer to a lot) but have slightly different meaning.

Our digestive system is home to approximately 100 trillion bacteria… Yeah, you read that correctly – 100 trillion bugs that live inside your digestive system (give or take a few trillion). I don’t mean to freak you out but we are actually more bacteria than we are human cells.

It’s the Yogi in me… I can’t talk about Nutrition without addressing Mindfulness.

A question. Can you remember the last meal you enjoyed that received your undivided attention, free from electronic devices like TV or social media? Or the last time you truly paid attention to what you were eating, how it smelt, the colours, textures, flavours, or where it came from?

Fibre - It’s currently the talk of the town… and for good reason!

It’s no longer just that tub of Metamucil that has sat untouched on the bench for years or that thing added to Tip Top white bread to call it ‘high fibre’. In fact, I’d rather you ditched both of those things if they still happen to be hanging around.

It also does more than just help you go to the toilet!

Sleep – That thing we all talk about wanting more of.. It’s what we do at the end of a big day. Sometimes if we’re having a bit too much of a good time, we prefer not to do it at all and usually regret it the next day or three. I know that feeling. If you have a young family, quality sleep might feel completely elusive. The word on the street is that we need about 7-8 hours of it per night. But other than that, who cares right..?

As a Yoga teacher, it’s no surprise that awareness and knowledge of the breath is my Jam.. Often we speak to a class about becoming aware of the breath to allow you an access point into the present moment.

In Yoga we talk a lot about maintaining a beginner’s mind in our practice. So what exactly do we mean?

Often in our Yoga practice (and in life if we’re really honest), we base our experiences today on our previous encounters.

Let’s be honest… My Peanut Butter and Raw Chocolate love affair runs deep. I’ve basically been perfecting this recipe for years now. I’m slowly forcing it on everyone I know – it usually doesn’t take much convincing, at all. Except if you’re a non PB lover.. Like my mate Jeanette WAS..