There’s a whole lot more to our digestive system than we might think. This complex and wonderful system of organs all work together to process the food that we eat - and the thing that's keeping it all working together? Bacteria!
Our guts are home to more than 100 trillion bacteria, all working together to keep our digestive system and immune system working nicely. Did you know that If you weighed all of the bacteria living within our guts, it could amount to more than 1kg in total!It’s all about balance
Sometimes, lifestyle factors can damage this wonderful bacteria so it's important to keep it healthy. There are some really simple, small changes we can all make to balance this out:- Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet full of probiotic and prebiotic rich ingredients.
- Practicing mindfulness and self care to reduce stress levels as much as possible.
- Practicing good food hygiene habits.
What are prebiotics?
A prebiotic is a type of nutrient that is vital for gut health. They are ‘food’ for the healthy bacteria within our gut. Prebiotics work alongside probiotics to nourish and boost the healthy bacteria already thriving within our amazing bodies.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are actually living organisms found in foods such as yoghurt. Probiotics are often referred to as ‘friendly gut bacteria’ as they help the body get rid of ‘bad’ types of bacteria which can cause stomach upsets and other illnesses.
The power of porridge - is porridge a prebiotic?
Porridge oats contain a special type of fibre (beta-glucan) which is proven to help nourish and replenish levels of healthy gut bacteria as well as maintain normal levels of cholesterol.
For this reason, porridge oats are a fantastic prebiotic food to eat every day, but just how can we make sure we’re getting enough of these essential probiotic and prebiotic nutrients?
Importance of gut health
The importance of good gut health is highlighted every year during Love Your Gut Week, taking place every September. This campaign highlights just how good bacteria and a healthy gut can help you to feel better than ever!
Here at MOMA, to mark Love Your Gut Week we’ve highlighted which tasty toppings can help you to top your porridge and top up your friendly bacteria too!
| Probiotics | Prebiotics |
|
|
Probiotic & Prebiotic Porridge Topping Ideas
Our Plain (No Added Sugar) Porridge Pots are the perfect blank canvas for a whole host of delicious toppings. Make sure you’re fuelling your digestive bacteria as well as your body with these probiotic & prebiotic porridge topping ideas:
Dark Chocolate and Banana Porridge
As well as their prebiotic and probiotic benefits, shavings of dark chocolate and sliced banana combine to create a luxurious porridge topping, rich in antioxidants from the chocolate and the potassium from the banana.
Kefir, Mango & Chia Seed Porridge
Kefir is a tart and creamy alternative to yoghurt, packed with all the same great probiotic bacteria and goodness. Combine a spoonful Kefir, sliced fresh mango and the crunchy chia seeds before tucking into your gut-friendly breakfast oats.
Live Yoghurt and Flax Seed Porridge
Live yoghurt has long been known for its essential ‘good bacteria’ and flax seeds for their omega-3 fatty acids. Combine a swirl of cooling, creamy live yoghurt with a sprinkle of crunchy flax seeds to our instant porridge pots for a nutrient rich porridge perfect for showing your gut some TLC during Love Your Gut Week. If you’re looking for some prebiotic porridge, try our Coconut & Chia Seed Porridge Pots, they’re dairy free and vegan, too!
Probiotics and Prebiotics as part of a balanced diet
Probiotics and prebiotics eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet can have so many beneficial effects on the body such as improving digestion and boosting the immune system, however it can be possible to get ‘too much of a good thing’.
For more immune boosting porridge topping ideas, read our blog here>>
