The Healthy WIFE: Tips for Digestion

Wives say Hello to Zoe Copsey, our new resident nutritionist for THE WIFE. Zoe has studied Anatomy & Physiology at Bristol University and then trained in Weight Loss and Lifestyle Nutrition. She is now the Head of Nutrition for a Lomax, a boutique Health and Lifestyle Company putting together bespoke meal plans for her clients as well as developing the menu for the popular and trendy cafe in the heart of Chelsea. Zoe works alongside chefs as well as other leading Nutritional Therapists in London including Vicki Edgson, who has written numerous books that have been sold worldwide. Zoe’s ethos is to make healthy eating more accessible and enjoyable to improve one’s overall health and sense of well being. – Taryn Cox for THE WIFE

 A frequent and sometimes embarrassing complaint amongst many women tends to be gas, wind and bloating, as well as IBS type symptoms, which can occur intermittently or for longer periods of time. These symptoms can arise for many reasons from stress to intolerances or even an imbalance in gut microflora, but very often just some tweaks in the diet may help. Here are some top tips to help with digestive health:

• It sounds simple but remember to CHEW YOUR FOOD! In our hectic lives we always tend to forget this simple thing. Chewing ensures that food can be broken down effectively putting less stress on the rest of the digestive process.
• Equally you may find that when you’re stressed your stomach is in ‘knots’. Always take some time out to sit down and eat meals, never eat on the run.

• Be gentle to your digestive system. Everyday we put all kinds foods that can act as irritants inside us; give yourself a break and have foods that help to soothe the digestive tract  – these include aloe vera, peppermint or fresh mint tea, as well as peppermint capsules.
• Avoid stimulants as much as possible such as coffee and sugar for example as this can very often irritate the gut and create an imbalance in natural micoflora.
• Include more probiotic foods in your diet e.g. naturally fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut. You may also want to try taking a good multi strain probiotic.
• Make sure your diet contains good sources of both soluble and insoluble fibre. Fibre helps to bulk stools and move it through the digestive tract. Sources of insoluble fibre include: whole-grains, fruit skins and nuts while soluble fibre sources include: vegetables, fruits containing pectin (apples, pears and citrus fruits for example), beans and lentils. A simple and easy change includes flaxseed – add this to porridge, yogurt or into smoothies as a good source of fibre.
• Don’t have fruit too late in the day. This especially applies after dinner as fruit can ferment in the stomach and cause bloating late at night.

There can be many reasons for digestive problems and therefore if symptoms persist then one should seek advice from a doctor or nutritionist who may also suggest celiac testing, intolerance testing or even parasite testing. Remember the key is to treat your gut with TLC! You wouldn’t put rubbish ON your skin so why put it inside you? – Zoe Copsey for THE WIFE

To inquire about Lomax and or Zoe’s services you may contact her below: