Blog one-packaged foods
Welcome to my first blog post!
I am a massive label and ingredient nerd, and recently I realised I have a lot of my own insights and learnings from my own health journey that I should be sharing with others.
This blog will explore some of the nasties and additives that are added to some of our easy to grab packaged foods on the supermarket shelf, how we can go about navigating these and why its important to be mindful of what we consume.
Firstly, lets talk about our gut.
Our gut is an incredibly complex system that plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. The gut lining is a thin layer of cells that protects our digestive system from harmful substances. However, many of the foods we eat today are filled with additives, such as gums, fillers, and flavours, that can have negative effects on our gut lining.
When we consume foods that are high in additives, it can cause inflammation and damage to the gut lining which can lead to issues such as gut permeability, also known as leaky gut. When the gut lining becomes damaged, it can allow harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation, bloating and other health problems.
First, let's take a closer look at what gums, fillers, and flavours are. Gums are substances that are added to foods to provide a specific texture or consistency. They're commonly found in processed foods like sauces, dressings, and baked goods. Fillers, on the other hand, are added to foods to increase their volume or bulk. These can be anything from cellulose to soy protein isolate. Finally, flavours are added to foods to enhance their taste and aroma.
One of the biggest risks of added gums, preservatives, fillers, and flavours is that they can disrupt the balance of bacteria in our gut. Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria that play a critical role in our overall health. When the balance of these bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to a host of health problems, including digestive issues, low energy, autoimmune disorders, and even mental health problems.
So, while these additives may make our food taste better or look more appealing, what can we do to protect our gut lining from the negative effects of added gums, fillers, and flavours? The first step is to be mindful of what we consume. Read labels carefully and avoid foods that are high in additives.
Instead, focus on whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and fibre. The more numbers, ingredients, and difficult to pronounce words on a packet there are, chances are its not going to be very good for you.
Some recommended food swaps from me:
Corn chips: Swap Mexicano corn chips for Proper corn chips (they are additive free and still tasty!)
Gluten free bread: Swap Tip Top for Venerdi which you will find in most New Words, and Pak’n Save supermarkets in NZ.
Nut milks: Swap Alpro for Pure Harvest or Otis (the organic one).
As always, healthier food is usually always more expensive. Some ideas for navigating this are below:
Make your own corn chips with wraps and bake in the oven. I recommend these Corn Tortillas if you are gluten free and in NZ. Because they are preservative free, they need to stay in the fridge.
Make your own nut milks! The Milky Plant just bought out a nut milk maker which is most definitely on my to purchase list.
Freeze any bread purchased and use as needed to avoid wastage.
In addition, it's important to support a healthy gut by consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. These foods help to replenish the good bacteria in our gut and support overall digestive health.
Finally, consider working with a healthcare professional like myself, a Nutritionist or Naturopath, who can help you identify any food sensitivities or allergies that may be contributing to gut health problems. By taking a proactive approach to gut health, we can protect our gut lining and enjoy better overall health and well-being.
Until next time!
