Foods for the Microbiome - that aren't fermented!
I love fermented foods for feeding the microbiome, but sometimes they can be a little too advanced for the damaged gut to handle - bloating anyone? New research into the microbiome emphasises the need for diversity in gut bacteria. The best way to encourage this is to eat a variety of fruits vegetables and animal products, reduce toxin exposure and get out into green spaces.
So what are some good foods to start with, that are easy to find, and provide the right kind of fuel for your bacteria to thrive on? This list from Drs Erica and Justin Sonnenburg - experts in the Microbiome - is a good place to start.
FOS (fructooligosaccharide) & Inulin Foods
chicory root
garlic
Jerusalem artichoke
leek
onion
dandelion greens
asparagus
banana
barley
wheat
sugar beet
honey
tomato
rye
Resistant starch foods
potato, steam or roasted and cooled
green banana
cashew nuts
ripe banana
uncooked rolled oats
white beans
cooked lentils
Polyphenols
blueberries
strawberries
peach
plum
grape seed extract
cranberry
resveratrol
tea
cocoa & chocolate
Other prebiotic foods
kiwifruit
beetroot
fennel bulb
green peas
snow peas
sweetcorn
cabbage
chickpeas
red kidney beans
pistachio nuts
watermelon
grapefruit
pomegranate
dried dates & figs