If you're struggling with bloating, constipation, skin breakouts, and experiencing other physical symptoms like inflammation/swelling and headaches, your body might need some digestive support and a little help clearing toxins and eliminating waste. Below are some of our fave foods for supporting the body's natural functions:
Constipation often brings bloating & gas along with it. A potassium-pumped food, pureed pure pumpkin serves up a hefty dose of fibre to help get/keep things moving through your digestive tract. You’ll also get a whopping 14,000 IU of vitamin A to help soothe inflammation.
One of the liver's primary functions is to remove and break down toxins in the blood. It also helps to process nutrients from the blood.
Dandelion is rich in chlorophyll, which helps to eliminate toxins from the liver. Both the leaves and root have detoxifying properties. It also helps Try adding the leaves to a salad or lightly steam them and drizzle with lemon, olive oil and freshly minced garlic.
The kidneys filter waste from the blood to be excreted in the urine. They help keep the blood clean and regulate bodily fluids, blood pressure and pH.
Parsley helps to flush out toxins via the urine and is effective in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones, thanks to its diuretic properties. Also try: ginger, nettle and/or basil.
The colon carries a heavy load when it comes to toxin removal. Even mild consipation (e.g. less than one bowel movement per day) can lead to toxins being recycled and reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
Hemp, chia & flax seeds expand in your intestines with water and add bulk to stool to aid in its passage. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation of the intestinal tract.
5. Probiotics for your healthy gut...
Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. You have two kinds of bacteria constantly in and on your body — good bacteria and bad bacteria. Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps keep your gut healthy.
Keep your good bacteria levels up with fermented foods (kimchi, pickles), yogurt (plant-based coconut or dairy), tempeh and sourdough.
6. Lemon water for your stomach...
Acid helps break down food, which is why there's a lot of it in our stomachs. The acid in lemons can be helpful with supplementing stomach acid levels, which can decline with age, and support digestion. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day is one of the best ways to keep your moves smooth.
Stay tuned for next week's Blog, we're diving into the what & why of doing an Elimination Diet (don't let the name scare you!).
Our top blend picks for keeping your gut health in check with:
Questions about which blends are right for your taste buds and maintaining a healthy gut & digestive tract? Email us anytime.
Sources: cbc.ca, harvard.edu, healthline
Need a gut health-reset? Our Blended 3-Day Cleanse plans are the start of new healthy eating habits and can include the following benefits:
Check out our 3-day Cleanse Plans and Inflammation Fighter Package below.
3 Day Smoothie & Soup Cleanse + Nutrition Plan
3 Day Smoothie Deep Cleanse Plan (15-Pack)
The Inflammation Fighter Package
We're big on nutrition that helps you reach and maintain your health goals, and support strength and recovery. Your body needs nutrient-dense foods for all these things. Factors like stress, hormones and sleep also play an important role.
Whether you're training for a big event, have weight loss goals, struggling with an illness, or simply want to maintain a strong and healthy body, these three rules apply:
1. Eat the right foods: not all calories are equal. If you eat empty calories, your body cannot use them and they'll get stored. If you eat high fibre plant-based foods, lean and omega-rich proteins, and healthy fats, you'll be giving your body a huge amount of physical and mental health support. If we could pick just three things for you to avoid/really limit: refined sugar, alcohol, processed foods.
2. Eat the amount of carbs, protein and healthy fats that are right for your body and health goals (daily). If you deprive your body of getting enough overall calories and these three macronutrients, you'll lose muscle mass and bone density, which will make it very hard to hit/maintain your weight goals, diminish athletic performance and reduce mental function. You'll also risk fatigue, mood swings and hormonal imbalance.
Say it with us: I need to eat enough of the right kinds of foods for a strong and healthy body.
3. Use natural boosters/supplements as needed that focus on support for your health goals. Most of us need some added support in getting a few key vitamins & minerals, which vary with general health, age, gender, genes, and activity (eg. Vitamin D, B12, B6, Calcium).
There are a bunch of boosters and supplements we lean into and recommend for different health support needs. Connect with us through the link below if you'd like recommendations.
Email us: Hey Blended!
Here a five foods & boosters we love for natural immune system support, reducing inflammation and energy-boosting. Whether you're athlete-level active, doing a regular fitness routine, or struggling with inflammation and energy, we recommend rotating them into your diet on the regular.
Turmeric: fights inflammation, aids muscle recovery, helps reduce muscle soreness, and also gives your immune system a boost. Tip: add to smoothies, meals like stir fries & sautés, and spreads like hummus.
Tart Cherry Juice: high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it's proven to reduce muscle soreness & pain during endurance activities such as cycling & running. It also supports muscle relaxation (& in-turn sleep), blood flow (during activity), and immunity-boosts. Tip: consume 8 oz about 1.5 to 2 hours before endurance activity and again after.
Maca: a natural energy booster, it's also beneficial for your mental health (helping reduce anxiety and elevating mood). Tip: add to your pre-activity snack or meal add it to your smoothie, stir into nut-butters.
Magnesium Citrate: excellent for muscle recovery, activates vitamin D/ immune system support, and aids in a healthy sleep cycle. Tip: post-activity - stir powder form into 12 oz of water.
Sprouted Protein Powder: supports muscle building, repair and recovery. Tip: avoid pea and whey proteins if they cause you bloating and gas, which can cause cramps during activity and negatively impact performance.
