~ gut health ~
You cannot have a healthy gut without a healthy thyroid,
and you cannot have a healthy thyroid without a healthy gut.
You have to address both at the same time.
Right at this moment in time, I’m in the “loving and healing my gut” mindset.
Basically, I’ve been following the AIP diet since the beginning of May this year, and even though I’ve definitely felt the positive benefits of it, I have also been dealing with a few set-backs due to gut inflammation. Why and how this is happening, I may never know, but I’m on a mission.
So what is leaky gut?
So I went and had acupuncture.
What I discovered on my first visit = I have a Spleen Qi Deficiency.
What the hell is that, I hear you ask?
Apart from my obvious obsession for all things French, I have a keen and ever increasing passion for all things gut related. Not quite in the same realm as each other, but any hoo…whatever floats your boat.
So today I'm sharing with you 6 simple, everyday tips that you can add into your day to day life to help improve you digestion and get it into a tip top working state......
Constipation. Not a fun or sexy topic, but a pretty common complaint for those of us with Hashimoto’s or other thyroid conditions.
Even the healthiest of us can suffer constipation on occasion as a result of stress, bad food choices and traveling.
Did you know . . .
The reasons why I've removed white potatoes from my diet (at the moment), and 3 white potato alternatives that I'm enjoying in the meantime!
So no grains and legumes, huh!
No problemo. I've been off gluten for over a year now and kicked refined sugar to the curb over 2 years ago. Grains and legumes. Easy peasy.
And then I thought about it.
I thought about the brown rice I have cooked and frozen in my freezer for emergency meals. I thought about the simple mid-week meal I often whip up of roasted pumpkin and chickpeas. I thought about how I use white beans as a simple quick "mash" instead of cooking up potatoes. And I also thought about the lentil salads I loved, especially when using my favourite legume of all...du puy lentils.
Holy cow! To say I'm now overwhelmed is an understatement.
Did you know that eating gluten is the number one cause of a leaky gut?
We all know that gluten is a trigger for Celiac disease, but I never knew its connection with a leaky gut. Even in a person without any gluten sensitivity, this difficult to digest protein can still cause leaky gut.
Apart from gluten, other inflammatory foods leading to leaky gut can also include dairy, sugar and processed foods as well as an over consumption of alcohol.
I discovered this information whilst trying to figure out my own underlying triggers for Hashimoto’s, as I, like a large number of you, have been suffering constant bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
So what is a leaky gut, I hear you ask?
Today I'm talking about my tummy. My poor, sore and bloated little tummy. It's one of the joys I've been recently discovering that comes hand in hand with having a dicky thyroid (can your hear my sarcasm?). This is a real struggle as I've always had a stomach that could take anything I threw at it.
Out of desperation I've been voraciously researching ways of improving my health without having to resort to pharmaceuticals, and one of my favourite discoveries (giving me a glimmer of hope) has been finding Lee Holmes' website Supercharged Food , and in particular, her Heal Your Gut program.
As you've guessed it...I signed up.
Well, we finally made it. Wow.
The final part of this little 4 part series that I’ve put together to help you (and me!) embrace all of those wonderful nutrient-dense foods that are in abundance all around us and that help us heal.
Get excited people as it’s now time for Part 3 of my little four part series that I’ve put together to help you (and me!) embrace all of those wonderful nutrient-dense foods that are in abundance and that help us heal.
Today’s topic is probably my favourite one of all . . . fat!
It's time for Part 2 of my Healing Foods Series.
A little 4 part series that I’ve put together to help you (and me!) embrace all of those wonderful nutrient-dense foods that are in abundance and help us heal. For those of us living an AIP lifestyle, these are foods that we can still (and should) enjoy daily for their ability to build and improve our health.
I’m sharing with you my 4 top highly nutritious food groups that you can add into your life, starting today. I’ve done all the research. You just need to sit back and enjoy.
Yes, eliminating inflammatory causing foods is a major step, I believe, in our wellness journey when dealing with Autoimmune Disease and gut issues, however embracing nutrient dense foods is just as important.
I’m sharing with you my 4 top nutrient-dense foods that you can add into your life, starting today.
I’ve done all the research. You just need to sit back and enjoy.
Ready for Part 1 ...
So….Have you been told to eliminate grains from your diet, but have no idea where to start?
Today I’m sharing with you my 5 tips to make going grain-free a little easier . . .
I’m talking all about alkalising foods at the moment.
What the hell are you talking about? I hear you ask . . .
So as you know, I have been living with Hashimoto’s and leaky gut for quite a number of years.
The journey hasn’t been easy (and it still isn’t), however I’m eternally grateful for the progress I have made so far, and for the unexpected change in direction my life has taken.
I thought I might take the time to share with you where I started, what I changed in my life and where I currently am......
It’s no secret I’m a card carrying fan of bone broth.
New to bone broth yourself, perhaps the Healing Green Broth 30-Day Challenge is just what you're looking for . . .
Did you know that micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances are extremely common in those of us with an autoimmune disease?
Today I'm focussing on increasing the nutrient density in my diet. Want to know why?
Looking for a super simple yet nourishing soup that will keep you feeling full and satisfied?
It really doesn’t get much simpler than this.
So what is Phase 1 on The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol all about?
The first step is elimination . . .
Pimples under your chin? Bad period pain and PMS?
These symptoms are brand spanking new for me and I wanted to know why?
Interested in where my research took me…..
Estrogen and Fibre.
So I thought I'd give you a little long overdue update on the whole parasite situation going on in my gut ... along with my new plan of attack AND a little say "au revoir parasite" granola . . .
Did you know that dairy, it seems, is the second most common food trigger of Hashimoto's (after gluten)?
The more information I gather on the subject, the easier I'm finding it to say adios. One of the things helping me through.....Ghee.
Continuing on from The Gut Chakra Part 1....
When this chakra is blocked you’ll most likely experience feelings of low self-worth and of being powerless and stressed. You have an unhealthy digestive track, adrenal fatigue and develop bad sleep patterns. Sound like you?
Did you know that poor gut health can actually suppress your thyroid and trigger Hashimoto’s disease (Hypothyroidism)?
I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest issues I experience from having Hashimoto’s is my digestion. Or should I say, my lack of digestion . . .
I’d like to introduce you to Boris and Boris Jnr.
They’ve recently joined my life.
Perhaps you’re already acquainted with the Boris’ but know them by their more common names of Dientamoeba Fragilis and Blastocystis Hominis. Two microscopic parasites that are found in the intestinal tract of humans. And right at this very minute, they’re paying me a very unwelcomed visit.
I’m not happy!
Although as I say those 3 words, I also have to admit to you that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. This icky news has actually given me an answer AND with it, an opportunity to finally fix the problems I'm having .
These parasites could potentially be the root cause of my developing Hashimoto’s. Holy cow!
Coconut Flour.
A pain in the arse to bake with, but when you get the combination right....oh my!
One of the first struggles I encountered when I took gluten from my diet was the vast array of "gluten-free" alternatives out there. The supermarket shelves these days are packed to the brim with them and I found it hard to decipher between those that were actually nourishing and helpful to my body, and those that are synthetic, processed, bleached and potentially contain gut irritating soy products. Clever marketing can be very persuasive.
I don't know about your story or reasons for going gluten free, however removing gluten from my diet was for health reasons, so I certainly didn't want to then start adding all that crap into my body, just because it didn't contain gluten.
Should you quit sugar?
It’s a big, and somewhat daunting question.
Perhaps you could ask yourself this:
- Do you get an energy slump in the afternoon?
- Do you need something sweet after lunch and/or dinner?
- Are you unable to eat just one slice of cake or one piece of chocolate and then walk away?
- Do you have hypothyroidism and wonder if quitting sugar might make a difference?
If you ticked yes to the above (I ticked yes to all!) then perhaps sugar is playing a bigger role in your health and your life than you thought.
Yes the lovely orange root vegetable may have oodles more vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber than its white cousin - the regular potato, but did you know that sweet potatoes are outstanding for your digestion?
Their high starch content can be easily broken down which is so soothing for our stomach and intestines - ideal for those of us suffering tummy issues (like the horrible bloating I'm currently enjoying due to my hypothyroidism).
Are oats, even if labeled "gluten free", gluten free?
I'm a very happy girl when my face is planted in a big bowl of steaming porridge on a cold winter's morning, or munching on a hot, just out of the oven, ANZAC biscuit. However, having removed gluten from my diet for health reasons, I've begun to question the eating of oats.
The amount of contradicting advice I've read on the subject has made me bury my head in the sand, whilst still eating my porridge and biscuits in blissful ignorance.
Fennel: You're either a lover or a hater. I'm a devoted lover and have been for a very long time, and as I've been slowly learning about the health benefits of this brilliant veg...I'm even more head over heels in love.
Not only does it help in the relief of indigestion, flatulence and constipation, it's also brilliant in the treatment of anemia.....something that my mum is currently experiencing . Not only is fennel high in iron, but the amino acid (known as histidine) found in fennel helps stimulate the production of hemoglobin.
So from me to you mum....it's cooked and packaged up ready for delivery.....
In my humble opinion, avocados should be crowned King of all foods.
In this little post I share with you:
5 things to know about avocados
4 reasons why to eat avocados
3 things to do with avocados
2 of my favourite avocado recipes