Eat to share

Eat to share is a wonderful phrase I came across which epitomizes how we should approach nourishing our gut.  It is simple and clear.  Eat for you and your good gut bacteria.

Your gut is a source and generator of health through the activity of the organisms that live in your gut.  When you eat, you either nurture that symbiotic relationship with your gut flora or you clog it up by underfeeding your gut organisms.  That is why the concept of eating to share is so important in creating balance in your diet.  

So how do we eat to share:
Eat enough for you and your microbiome, but not too much. When you have a meal - make sure there are fiber rich foods or prebiotic foods for your digestive “partners.” (veggies, fruit, sweet potato, sunchokes).  When we eat large meals, however, digestion is backed up and foods begin to ferment which is not a good environment for your gut flora.

Eat on a schedule that allows for regular eating times and rest times.  You give your digestive microbiome members a chance to process what they eat and time to rest.  If you are beginning, start with no snacking between breakfast and lunch, then move onto creating an evening eating cut off, then look at any grazing between lunch and dinner.

Eat for you. Each individual's microbiome is different - so what you need is not that same as what someone else needs. This is where listening to our own body and being aware of how it is functioning is most important.  Above dietary philosophy is your individual GPS.

Eat more plants and less meat.  A meat heavy and processed grain diet is typical in America and has health effects.  If you look back on your last few days of eating and you see mainly meat, dairy, wheat products, white potatoes, rice, and beans you're out of balance.  Adding in vegetables and fruits will help bring you into balance and mitigate the ill effects of the above mentioned imbalance.  

The principle of eat to share is to eat for your body - brain, movement,  living -  and for your gut microbiota.  You’ll feel the change quicker than you think.  The microbiome is extremely responsive - in just a day of eating to share, the composition and activity level of your gut builds and diversifies. You will feel the difference.

love,
Julia