Awaken Your Digestion Naturally
In This Blog:
Feature Focus: Foods to Support Digestive Secretions
Tips for Adding Bitter Foods to Your Daily Routine
Summer Wellness Corner
Foods to Support Digestive Secretions
Did you know that digestion begins before your first bite? The body relies on digestive secretions like stomach acid, bile, and enzymes to break down food effectively and certain bitter and sour foods are nature’s way of kickstarting this vital process.
Including just a small amount of bitter foods at the start of your meal can help awaken your digestive system and improve nutrient absorption, reduce bloating, and support overall gut health.
Here are some of nature’s digestive powerhouses to add to your meals:
Bitter Foods to Stimulate Digestion:
Aloe Vera
Apple Cider Vinegar
Artichoke
Aubergine
Bitter Melon
Blood Orange
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chicory
Coffee (organic, black, in moderation)
Cranberries (unsweetened)
Dark Chocolate (95%+ cocoa)
Fenugreek
Ginger
Grapefruit
Green Tea
Kale
Lemon Juice
Rocket
Dandelion Leaves
Radicchio
Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Turmeric
White Asparagus
How to Include Bitters in Daily Meals
Try these simple ideas to support digestion naturally:
🥤 Start meals with a glass of water + lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
🍊 Add grapefruit or blood orange slices to your breakfast plate.
🍇 Mix stewed rhubarb or fresh cranberries into your overnight oats or porridge.
🥗 Toss a few leaves of rocket, radicchio, or dandelion greens into your salad and eat those first.
🥄 Take 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice 10 minutes before eating.
🍛 Add fenugreek and turmeric to warming Indian curries.
🥦 Aim for one portion of bitter veg per main meal.
☕ Finish with a cup of strong fresh ginger tea or an organic espresso.
🍫 Nibble a square or two of very dark chocolate after dinner.
🍵 Sip a cup of green tea daily for added support.
Citrus Digestive Spritz
SUMMER WELLNESS CORNER
Hot days can leave digestion feeling sluggish. Focus on light, vibrant meals and stay hydrated with herbal infusions like mint, fennel, and lemon.
Combine them with our featured bitters to create a digestion-friendly summer tonic.
Quick Recipe Idea:
Citrus Digestive Spritz
Juice of ½ grapefruit
Splash of apple cider vinegar
Dash of grated ginger
Sparkling water
Optional: mint leaves
*Health insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional.
Invest in your health like your life depends on it.
Because it does!
If you have a health concern or are looking to improve your overall wellbeing, why not take the first step? Book a free 15 minute discovery call to share your concerns and explore how naturopathic nutrition can support you.
“You don’t need to do more. You just need to check in.”
Can you believe we are already in August?
If the months have flown by in a blur, you’re not alone!
But before we rush into a new month with more to-dos, I want to invite you to check in.
Not with guilt, but with curiosity.
What’s been working for you?
What’s felt off?
What are you craving more of?
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
But taking five minutes to reflect can help you step into the new month with clarity and intention.
Maybe it’s moving your body a little more.
Maybe it’s saying no more often.
Maybe it’s just remembering to breathe.
Whatever it is… honour it.
You’ve got more wisdom than you think.
So what if we stopped fighting the symptoms and started listening to them?
A gentle gut check-in (literally)
If your digestion has been calling out for attention.
Through bloating, discomfort, brain fog, fatigue or skin issues. Maybe August is your time to finally listen.
You don’t need to “go hard” or overhaul everything.
You just need the right support, at the right pace, with the right care.
If you’re ready to explore that, I’d love to help you.
📞 Book a free Call — a 30-minute chat to help you make sense of your symptoms and where to begin.
Tracking your symptoms is a great way to understand what helps you feel your best. It allows you to notice possible patterns and triggers.
That’s exactly why I created the Healthful You Journal, a space designed specifically to help you tune into your body and notice meaningful patterns.
You can purchase your copy here or simply use a journal of your own, the most important step is just getting started.
Small Changes, Big Impact: A Simple Morning Ritual
Boost your wellbeing without overhauling your entire routine. Sometimes it’s the smallest shifts that make the biggest difference.
One quick, affordable, and impactful habit:
Start your day with a warm mug of lemon, ginger, and water.
T
his simple combination can:
✔️ Support digestion
✔️ Gently wake up your system
✔️ Hydrate your body after sleep
✔️ Help you feel calm and grounded before the day takes off.
It’s not fancy, expensive, or time-consuming, just a nourishing start to your morning and will support your health from the inside out.
Why not give it a try tomorrow?
Quick Recipe Tip:
Grate a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger into your mug, squeeze in half a lemon, and top with warm (not boiling) water. Let it steep for a few minutes and sip mindfully.
*Certain medications can be affected by citrus fruits. Compounds in citrus fruits can interfere with the metabolism of some drugs, altering their absorption or effectiveness.
"Finding Joy in the Small Things"
Most people think joy comes from the big stuff, holidays, new purchases, big milestones.
But that mindset makes us miss out on all the small, everyday moments that can bring real joy.
Joy doesn’t have to be dramatic, it can be simple:
A hot drink in your hands
A deep breath of fresh air
A good song, a smile, a kind word
These tiny moments matter, they build up and change how we feel every day.
Joy isn’t just emotional, it’s physical:
It calms your nervous system
It supports digestion
It brings your body into a healing, “rest and digest” state
So instead of waiting for joy to arrive...
Look for it
Create it
Make space for it in your daily routine
See my video post on socials where I talk about how having an empty bin brings me joy! Head over to Instagram or Facebook and check it out…
In my work as a naturopathic nutritional therapist, I help you explore what your body is trying to say. We gently uncover the root cause of your gut struggles, and together we create a plan that feels nourishing, supportive, and completely personalised to you.
You deserve to feel calm, clear, and at home in your body.
If you’re ready to move beyond managing symptoms and into real, lasting gut healing I’d love to support you.
Healthful You: May Edition
“Is your gut trying to tell you something?”
What Your Gut Might Be Trying to Tell You…
If you’ve been dealing with bloating, abdominal pain, chronic heartburn, fatigue or brain fog. Despite eating well and trying to take care of yourself, you are not alone.
I hear it all the time:
“I’ve changed my diet, I’ve cut things out, I’ve taken supplements… but I still don’t feel right.”
The truth is, gut health isn’t just about what you eat.
It’s about how you feel, how you sleep, how you manage stress, and the emotional weight you might be carrying without even realising it.
Your gut is deeply connected to every part of you—physically, emotionally, and energetically. When something is off, your body sends messages. Symptoms like digestive discomfort, low mood, cravings, or skin flare-ups are often just the tip of the iceberg.
So what if we stopped fighting the symptoms—and started listening to them?
In my work as a naturopathic nutritional therapist, I help you explore what your body is trying to say. We gently uncover the root cause of your gut struggles, and together we create a plan that feels nourishing, supportive, and completely personalised to you.
You deserve to feel calm, clear, and at home in your body.
If you’re ready to move beyond managing symptoms and into real, lasting gut healing—I’d love to support you.
Book a free 30 minute discovery call www.healthfulyou.co.uk/contact
I’m truly honoured to have been nominated in the “Wellbeing and Health category”.
I’m incredibly passionate about naturopathic nutrition and the transformational impact it can have. Helping people take back control of their health, reconnect with their bodies, and get to the root causes of their symptoms is what drives me every single day.
This nomination is such a meaningful recognition, and I’m so grateful to be part of a community that’s focused on real, lasting wellbeing.
If you're curious about how naturopathic nutrition can support your health—or the health of your team—I’d love to connect. Lets Chat!
Abdominal Massage
Targeted abdominal massage activates the enteric nervous system to improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
Gentle rubbing and stroking boosts circulation to the digestive tract, delivering oxygen and nutrients.
Massage techniques help break up trapped gas, stimulate peristalsis, and encourage regular bowel movements.
Clinical studies show abdominal massage relieves pain, bloating and constipation for IBS sufferers.
Abdominal massage enhances immunity by stimulating the lymphatic system.
Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to 1tbsp of massage oil.
Starting at the lower right side of your abdomen, massage clockwise up to your ribs then across the top of your abdomen and down the left side, making a big circle around your navel.
Repeat this action for 10-15 minutes twice a day.
Health insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional.
Healthful You:April Edition
Spring is here! As the days get brighter, it's a wonderful time to nourish your body with foods that truly support your digestive system. This month, we’re focusing on the power of slow-cooked meals.
Why Slow-Cooked Meals Are a Game-Changer for Digestion?
If you’ve been feeling bloated, sluggish, or just not quite right after meals, it could be your digestive system crying out for a little extra support. One of the most comforting and effective ways to help your digestion is by incorporating more slow-cooked meals into your diet.
Here’s why:
Easier to Digest: Slow cooking breaks down tough fibres and proteins, making food much gentler on your gut. If your digestion feels strained, slow-cooked foods can be much easier for your body to process.
Improved Nutrient Absorption: Gentle cooking preserves essential nutrients that your body needs for repair, energy, and gut health, allowing you to truly benefit from what you eat.
Gut-Healing Goodness: Broths, stews, and slow-cooked meats are rich in collagen and gelatine, both of which help strengthen the gut lining and support healthy digestion.
Reduced Irritation: When your digestion is struggling, raw or heavily processed foods can be harsh on your gut. Slow-cooked meals are softer, easier to break down, and provide much-needed nourishment to a sensitive digestive system.
Comforting & Calming: Warm, well-cooked meals signal safety to the body, promoting better digestion and even helping to calm the nervous system.
Simple Recipe to Try: Curried Chicken Slow Cooker Stew
1 Sweet Potato (large, diced)
2 cups chickpeas (cooked, drained and rinsed)
1/2 Frozen Peas
1 tsp Cumin (ground)
1 tbsp Curry Powder
2 Garlic (cloves, minced)
2 cups of chicken or vegetable Broth
Chicken Breast/boneless chicken thighs (keep skin on)
Add all the ingredients into the slow cooker and stir well to mix. Season with sea salt and pepper. Cover with lid and cook on low setting overnight or for 6 to 8 hours.
After 6 to 8 hours, remove the lid and lift the chicken out onto a plate. Use a fork to shred the chicken breasts and add them back to the slow cooker. Stir well to mix and let sit for 15 minutes.
Serve the stew on its own or you could add steamed green vegetables. Enjoy!
NOTES
leftovers; refrigerate for 3 days
more carbohydrates- add quinoa or brown rice
vegan option- skip the chicken (and chicken stock) and add extra chickpeas, beans or lentils
Ready to Dive Deeper into Your Gut Health?
Slow-cooked foods are amazing, but understanding and addressing the root cause of your digestive issues can make all the difference.
Working with me, we can uncover what’s truly going on and create a personalised plan to support your gut, boost your energy, and improve your overall well-being.
Ready to feel your best? Head over to “contact me page” and book your free 30 minute call.
Health insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional.
March edition
It all begins with an idea.
March: Spring into Gut Health!
As we step into spring, nature reminds us of renewal and growth—a perfect time to refresh our health and well-being. This season is a great opportunity to focus on gut health, which plays a crucial role in our energy levels, immunity, and overall vitality.
Why Work with a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist?
If you’ve been struggling with digestive discomfort, bloating, food intolerances, or low energy, you may have found yourself experimenting with different diets or supplements without long-term relief. The reason? Symptoms are only part of the picture—true healing starts at the root cause.
As a naturopathic nutritional therapist specialising in gut and digestive health, I take a holistic and personalised approach to understanding your body. Instead of merely addressing symptoms, I assess key factors such as gut microbiome balance, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and lifestyle stressors. With the right guidance, you can improve digestion, restore balance, and feel your best from the inside out.
Spring Gut Health: Time for a Reset!
Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to support your digestive system. Over the winter, we may have indulged in heavier foods, exercised less, and felt more sluggish. Now is the ideal time to gently detox and rebalance your gut for optimal health.
Here are three simple yet effective ways to refresh your gut this spring:
🌱 Increase Fibre Intake – Seasonal greens, asparagus, artichokes, and leeks are rich in prebiotic fibre, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and promotes a healthy microbiome.
💧 Stay Hydrated – Proper hydration supports digestion and helps the body eliminate toxins. Start your day with warm lemon water to stimulate digestive function and promote detoxification.
🍃 Embrace Bitter Foods – Foods like rocket, dandelion greens, and radishes encourage digestive enzyme production, aid digestion, and support liver detoxification.
By making small, intentional changes, you can enhance your gut health and set the foundation for long-term vitality. If you’re ready to take control of your digestive health, consider working with a naturopathic nutritional therapist to receive tailored support and guidance on your wellness journey.
Ready to restore balance and feel your best? Let’s work together to support your gut health and overall well-being!
Last Sunday I was so honoured to give a talk about “digestive wellness” at a wellness show in Lytham and I met some lovely people who are passionate about their wellbeing. I will be at the next event on Sunday 16th November and I will share a link to book your ticket nearer the time.
Recipe of the Month: Gently Spiced Squash Soup
Soup made with homemade stock (bone broth) is one of the most healing foods for the gut. Stock is packed with collagen, gelatine and beneficial minerals. Here it’s combined with gentle spices that are naturally anti-inflammatory and calming to the digestive system.
· 800g of butternut squash peeled and cubed.
· 4-6 shallots diced
· 10g coconut oil
· ½ tsp garam masala
· ½ tsp turmeric
· ½ tsp paprika
· ¼ tsp ground cumin
· ¼ tsp ground coriander
· ¼ tsp ground ginger
· Pinch of cardamom seeds
· Pinch of fennel seeds
· 50g creamed coconut
· 1L fresh chicken stock
· 1½ tsp salt
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Warm the coconut oil in a large saucepan. Add the diced shallots and sweat for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile place the spices in a pestle and mortar and grind well to incorporate the seeds.
3. Stir the spice mix into the sweated shallots and allow to warm thorough for 1-2 minutes until the spices start to release their aromas
4. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the cubed squash, coconut cream, dried chilli and salt. Pour over the boiling water and return the pan to the heat.
5. Bring the mixture back to the boil and simmer covered for about 30 minutes or until the squash is tender and starting to fall apart.
6. When the squash is cooked carefully remove the dried red chilli and then blend the soup until smooth using a hand blender.
7. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and enjoy.
Health insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional.
If you have a health concern or are looking to improve your overall wellbeing, why not take the first step? Book a free 15 minute discovery call to share your health concerns and explore how naturopathic nutrition can support you.