Health coach Megan Lagerwey struggled with her gut health for many years before discovering the root of the issue. It wasn’t the typical digestive symptoms that got her, she struggled with anxiety, acne, brain fog and food sensitivities for years. Little did she know, it was all connected to her gut health. Then, six years ago, she was introduced to the concept of gut health through a friend, and her life changed.
Since then, Megan has become a qualified health coach, dedicated to helping her clients through their gut health issues and has fostered some amazing results. We sit down with Megan to chat about how to get to grips with your gut health.
Why is gut health so important?
Gut health is overall health! I always say, “happy gut, happy life!” Your gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria living mainly in your large intestine) do the most for your entire body. They help reduce inflammation, they train your immune system, they regulate blood sugar, they assist in the uptake and production of certain nutrients, and so much more! Your gut microbiome is centre of your overall health and wellbeing.
What are the risks of having an unhealthy gut biome?
The risks are huge. With poor gut health you could experience anything from food sensitivity, fatigue and anxiety to an increase in chronic illness and autoimmune disease. Your gut biome is like a centre of operations, you always need to make sure it’s getting what it needs to run smoothly.
What could be affecting my gut health?
There are so many aspects to consider, the common culprits are high stress levels, high intake of processed foods, an overload in sugar and alcohol, taking unnecessary medication (like antibiotics) and getting infections. If you’ve had digestive concerns like bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, or pain, it’s worth getting your gut health checked. There are also less obvious signs that your gut may be struggling, like anxiety, acne , brain fog – they’re all telltale signs of an unhappy gut.
How do I build a healthy gut biome?
It starts on the plate. The number one marker of a healthy gut is the diversity in one’s diet. We need to be eating a lot of fibre and plant based foods daily! That doesn’t mean you need to become vegan or vegetarian, but diversify your meals! Plant fibre is key to a healthy gut because your gut bacteria feed and thrive off of prebiotics found in plants.
Where do I start, Meg?
Fortunately, eating for great gut health is all about abundance! Eat more variety and more diversity every day. Some holy grail snacks I love to include in my diet are nuts and seeds, lots of fruit, and delicious homemade treats like chia seed pudding, cookie dough bites, and chocolate covered chickpeas! Here’s some of my recipes to get you started on getting to grips with your gut health:
Cookie Dough Balls
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Chocolate covered crispy chickpeas
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Chia seed pudding
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Feature Image: The Good Gut Guru
