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'Cheesy' Cauliflower, Celeriac, and White Bean Soup
A tasty and nutritious soup with a diversity of plant fibre and protein, to keep the blood sugar levels well-balanced. The nutritional yeast gives it a ‘cheesy’ flavour while being free from dairy. Leave out the onion, leek and garlic if you don’t tolerate them well. Serves 4 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 small cauliflower, diced ½ head celeriac, diced 1 small onion, diced 1 leek, sliced thinly 2 cloves garlic, chopped small 1 litre of vegetable stock or bone broth 1 j
Helen Ross
Dec 9, 20252 min read


Why Fermented Foods Alone Are Not Enough to Restore the Gut Microbiome After Antibiotics
Antibiotics can save lives, but they also disrupt the delicate balance of your gut microbiome. Many people turn to fermented foods like...
Helen Ross
Aug 3, 20253 min read


Prebiotics and Gut Health: What They Are and Why You Need Them
A selection of prebiotic foods What Are Prebiotics? If you’re on a journey to improve your gut health , you’ve probably heard about probiotics - the live bacteria found in fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, and yoghurt. But there’s another key player in gut wellness that often gets overlooked: prebiotics . Prebiotics are a type of non-digestible fibre that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. While our bodies can’t digest these fibres, our gut microbes can, and in fac
Helen Ross
Jun 23, 20253 min read


Healing Gastritis Naturally: Functional Medicine Strategies for a Healthier Stomach Lining
By Helen Ross, Gut Health Nutritionist Stomach pain Gastritis is a common yet often misunderstood condition characterised by inflammation of the stomach lining. From a functional medicine perspective, gastritis is not merely a local gastric issue, but a symptom of deeper systemic imbalances that need to be addressed holistically. Rather than masking symptoms with medications, a functional approach seeks to uncover and address the root causes, using natural interventions to su
Helen Ross
May 30, 20256 min read


Spring Cleansing ~ Why You Might Want to Consider It
Do You Need to Detox? The idea of detoxing is often debated, with some questioning whether it is even necessary. However, given the increased exposure to environmental toxins, processed foods, and lifestyle stressors, supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes has become more relevant than ever. The goal of a detox is not to replace the liver and kidneys but to assist these organs in removing accumulated toxins and optimising their function. Detoxification is ofte
Helen Ross
Mar 7, 20255 min read


The Importance of Plant Diversity and Eating a Rainbow 🌱🌈
What is Plant Diversity? Plant diversity means incorporating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds...
Helen Ross
Jan 21, 20254 min read


Chocolate Protein Smoothie (with medicinal mushrooms)
This delicious and filling anti-inflammatory smoothie supports the immune system and the gut microbes. It would make a perfect breakfast,...
Helen Ross
Jun 30, 20242 min read


The Impact of Coffee on Gut Health: What Does the Science Say?
What are the effects of coffee on the gut microbiome? Coffee (or caffeine) is probably the most loved psychoactive drug in the world, and...
Helen Ross
Feb 11, 20246 min read


The Vagus Nerve – Why Re-Setting Your Nervous System is Important
Did you know that resetting your nervous system can go a long way to restoring your gut health, as well as a host of other complex chronic health conditions including hormone imbalances, thyroid conditions, autoimmunity, chronic fatigue, headaches, back pain, anxiety, and depression? Fixing imbalances in the gut needs to start with the nervous system. This is because we need a regulated nervous system in order to heal. If you have a history of trauma you’re more likely to hav
Helen Ross
Aug 28, 20233 min read


Red Cabbage and Beetroot Slaw
The red and purple plant foods in this delicious red cabbage and beetroot slaw are rich in polyphenol compounds and provides...
Helen Ross
Jan 28, 20232 min read


Menopause and Gut Health - how are they linked?
Menopause is a major life milestone for women, it is often associated with being a time of inner reflection and evaluation, and it marks a new phase of life. The official diagnosis of menopause comes after 12 months has passed without a menstrual period, which usually occurs at around the average age of 51 years old. For a small number of women, it can occur earlier than that, sometimes in their early 40s, or even younger. Declining levels of oestrogen, progesterone, and test
Helen Ross
Dec 11, 20224 min read


Struggling with Indigestion, GORD, or Acid Reflux?
Is your heartburn or indigestion a symptom of IBS? Acid reflux or heartburn, also referred to as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD), is not the same as irritable bowel disease (IBS), however, both conditions can often co-exist. And if you experience IBS, then it's more likely you will also experience reflux or indigestion (or dyspepsia). Indigestion and reflux are symptoms arising from the ‘upper’ digestive tract and may be a sign of reduced digestive enzyme out
Helen Ross
Oct 16, 20225 min read


Spanish Baked Eggs (low FODMAP)
This low FODMAP version of baked eggs provides a great source of protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin C, lycopene, and B vitamins. Asafoetida...
Helen Ross
Aug 24, 20212 min read


Hormones and the Gut - What is the Connection?
Do you experience digestive and/or hormonal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, indigestion, depression, anxiety, mood swings, acne, fatigue, weight gain, hot flushes, insomnia, lethargy, or brain fog? You might not be surprised to learn that the gut microbiome and our hormones are very closely linked, and if you have imbalances in one system, it’s possible you might have issues in both of these important functional areas of your health. Hormones are mes
Helen Ross
Aug 5, 20217 min read


Buckwheat Pancakes
I love having these pancakes for my Sunday breakfast or brunch. Served here with coconut yoghurt, poached pears, blueberry sauce, chopped...
Helen Ross
May 23, 20212 min read


What's the Best Diet for a Healthy Gut?
If you struggle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other digestive problems, you might be wondering what is the best type of diet for...
Helen Ross
Mar 25, 20217 min read


What is the Vagus Nerve and how does it relate to IBS?
If you struggle with digestive pain and discomfort, depression, or anxiety related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) then you might want to look at increasing or improving your vagal tone. What is vagal tone? Vagal tone is the degree of activity happening within the parasympathetic nervous system, helping our bodily systems to self-regulate, which can result in reduced inflammation, and improved cardiovascular, endocrine (hormones), and immune markers ( 1 ). The vagus nerve a
Helen Ross
Feb 11, 20218 min read


Chicken 'Bone Broth' Soup
This lovely anti-inflammatory soup can be made low FODMAP by leaving out the onion and garlic, instead only using the green tops of the...
Helen Ross
Jan 14, 20213 min read


Citrus Almond Cake
This moist and lovely cake is a great source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in bioflavonoids, a type...
Helen Ross
Jan 6, 20212 min read


9 Root Causes of Abdominal Bloating
Most of us will experience a certain amount of occasional gastrointestinal bloating, but when it is occurring regularly it can become uncomfortable, distressing, and frustrating, and it's worth looking into what might be the root cause of your bloating. What is abdominal bloating? Abdominal bloating is a common gastrointestinal complaint that can be painful and extremely uncomfortable. It usually refers to swelling or distention of the stomach which can feel very full or tig
Helen Ross
Dec 17, 20208 min read
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