Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious foods that not only delight your taste buds but also supports you and your loved ones’ health. Here’s some easy options for gut-healthy foods that are perfect for Valentine’s Day plus fun tips on how to show your loved ones you care – all year round.
Love your gut: easy ways to create Valentine's Day meals with gut-friendly foods
Your gut microbiome, the community of bacteria in your digestive system, plays a crucial role in your overall health and well-being. By incorporating gut-friendly foods into your Valentine's Day celebrations and beyond, you can nurture your inner ecosystem and give a kiss to your invisible heroes who help maintain your well-being every day of the year.
Probiotic-rich foods to share with your loved ones
Wondering what foods are good for gut health? Although a complex question, there are some simple ways to prepare a gut-friendly feast.
Power the gut love with probiotic foods which are a powerhouse of potentially beneficial bacteria that contribute to a balanced gut microbiota. By adding touches of foods rich in probiotics and fibre not only contribute to a balanced gut microbiome but also help create a delicious and nutritious meal that everyone can enjoy.
Start the day in a great way! Indulge in a creamy and probiotic-rich bowl of yogurt with fresh berries. Later on, savour a tangy and refreshing serving of kimchi with grilled salmon. For a sweet treat, grab some kombucha, a sparkling tea beverage teeming with beneficial bacteria.
Valentine’s Day meals powered by prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as food for the probiotics in your gut. Fill your Valentine's Day meals with prebiotic-rich foods like asparagus, apples, bananas, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes and whole grains. These nutrient-dense ingredients will nourish your gut microbiome and help keep it balanced and all loved up.
Miso Chicken Soup
A modern take on a winter-warmer favourite, this simple Miso Chicken Soup is bursting with wholesome goodness. (For a vegetarian option, swap out the chicken for silken tofu.) Serves 4.
Ingredients:
- 1L organic chicken stock
- 180 dried ramen noodles (or noodles of your choice)
- ¼ cup white miso paste (fermented soya beans)
- 5 cm piece of ginger, peeled and cut thinly
- 1 bunch broccolini, halved
- 2 cups of leftover shredded chicken
- 250g oyster mushrooms
- 2 bunches of pak choy, halved
- 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
Step 1: Heat the chicken stock and two cups of water in a large saucepan and bring to boil. Add in ramen noodles and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the noodles from the pan, strain and divide between four serving bowls.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk the miso paste together with a tablespoon of boiling water. Add the ginger and miso to the stock and bring to the boil. Add in the chicken and mushrooms and allow to cook for two minutes.
Step 3: Stir through the pak choy and leave to wilt. Remove from heat and divide the soup between the four serving bowls. Top with spring onion and serve
Elevate your connections: Fun (and free) ways to strengthen your relationships
While you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, it’s a great time to turn up the tunes and dance like nobody’s watching! Dancing can be a fun and non-verbal way to communicate with your partner and loved ones and creates a shared experience you can later bond (and laugh) over. Anyone for Zumba?
Sprinkle Love Notes like Fairy Dust
Once the dishwasher is packed and humming, there are still many other ways to bond and connect.
Leaving love notes in unexpected places is a sweet and thoughtful way to show your loved ones how much you care. A simple, "You're the best!" can brighten someone's day and make them feel loved and appreciated.
And the best part is that you can leave these notes anywhere - in your kid’s lunchbox, your partner’s workbag, or even in a coat pocket.
