Little Step No. 21
What to do:
Cook potatoes. Leave to cool. Then eat.
Why this step works:
If you could only ever take steps to improve just one aspect of your health, my top recommendation would always be to focus on the gut microbiome. We all have an incredible internal ecosystem of bacteria that live in the gut and as more and more research attempts to unravel its inner workings and wider health effects, what is becoming very clear is that the gut microbiome influences pretty much every aspect of health – from immune function, brain health, mood and detoxification capacity to energy, body weight, hormone balance and so much more.
Think of it like this. If all your body systems are an orchestra, then your gut microbiome is the conductor; making sure everything is playing in tune.
It will come as no surprise then that this little step is about feeding a healthy gut microbiome. Because when you cook potatoes and leave them to cool, something incredible happens. During the cooling process a substance called resistant starch is formed; a special type of starch that is particularly helpful for feeding friendly gut bacteria.
Choose good old fashioned mucky potatoes and give them a good scrub. Leave the skins on, roughly chop and boil. Drain and leave to cool completely. Add a dollop of good quality mayonnaise (I like Hunter & Gather), sliced spring onions, chopped fresh parsley & chives. You don’t need a big portion to get the benefits - this is best served as a small side dish. And remember your gut microbiome LOVES DIVERSITY, so the benefits of this little step are MAGNIFIED when it sits within a varied diet. Super simple, yet super effective. They're always the best little steps aren't they :) x