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.