Spice Up your Weight Loss Journey

Did you know that obesity can be linked to a poor gut microbiome? Your gut bacteria can influence your body weight and how successful your weight loss journey will be.

Your gut bacteria thrive on a variety of foods. The diversity of bacteria in our digestive tract thrive when we include a diversity of foods into our daily diet. So let’s spice up our diet and make weight loss easier to achieve naturally.

Meal prepping the same meals for days on end doesn’t serve our gut microbiome since they depend on diversity. So let’s prevent the boredom for yourself and your gut microbiome and let them feast on various, seasonal and healthy foods. It’s a win-win.

Spice Up your Weight Loss Journey with these herbs and spices:

• Matcha and green tea: Matcha is known for its antioxidant and weight-reducing potential thanks to its EGCG compound. But did you know that it's best to combine matcha with lemon because it activates the EGCG compound to work more efficiently. Look for 100% organic matcha in the ingredients list as most matcha powders are mixed with sugars and milk powder.

• Cinnamon is known to help lower blood sugar levels and thereby help to decrease your hunger and appetite.

• Cacao powder or cacao nibs: Dark chocolate is one of the highest polyphenol-dense foods in the world (along with red wine!) if you select organic dark chocolate with the highest percentage of cacao powder. Cacao nibs are pieces of the cacao bean before it has been processed into cacao powder. Both are extraordinarily antioxidant-rich. Enjoy it anyway you can.

• Ginger is a great alkaliser, detoxifier and hormone balancer to assist in further eliminating excess fat. It is also anti-inflammatory and aids with digestion. Shred fresh ginger into your soups, stews, salads and teas. Enjoy it in juices and health shots.

• Lemon aids in weight loss by boosting metabolism for detoxification.

• Fenugreek is a spice known to help aid with hormonal control and satiety. It is commonly added to curries and soups in South Asian countries.

• Lemon balm is commonly consumed in tea form. A great weight loss aid

Weight loss herbs and spices (featuring lemon and lemon balm). These herbs shown above also include thyme, bay leaves and lavender which pose benefits to health, reducing stress and thus improving weight loss success.

Please be mindful that if you are taking medications that certain herbs and spices can cause negative interactions. Speak to your doctor if you are uncertain and take any form of medicine. For healthy individuals, please enjoy herbs and spices in moderation.

If you are uncertain about your daily diet, book your nutritional appointment and receive your personalised meal plan that will confirm the right foods for your gut, health and weight loss journey. We will take you the natural path with zero side effects and positive long term benefits.

Sandra Challita

Founder of Sandra Nutrition

Mobile: 0451911339

Website: sandranutrition.com.au