Nutritionist recommends including certain ultra-processed foods in diet for better gut health

Rhiannon Lambert, a leading nutrition expert and best-selling author, has issued a surprising recommendation for an ultra-processed food that everyone should include in their diet for better gut health

Nutrition expert Rhiannon Lambert has suggested that everyone should include a certain processed food in their diet for improved gut health. In a chat with Olivia Attwood on the 'So Wrong It's Right' podcast, Rhiannon was asked if "baked beans or beans in general" make people "gassy".

She reassured listeners that baked beans are perfectly fine as they fall under the "beans and pulses" category. Rhiannon explained: "It's kind of a fad because it depends on how used to having baked beans you are or beans in general because your gut buds love beans and pulses."

"So, when they eat a food, they then give off gas as a byproduct. So if you're not used to eating a high amount of fibre and suddenly you do, your gut buds will go crazy."

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She further stated, "[It's] an example of an ultra-processed food that's good and you should have because it's one of the super six, it's beans and pulses."

Rhiannon also encouraged diversifying diets by saying, "I want everyone to get more and also replace some of your animal produce every week. For example, if you have meat every day try and swap it for half and half.", reports the Express.

In the candid discussion about health and diets, Olivia probed Rhiannon about her own dietary indulgences.

To Olivia's surprise, Rhiannon opened up about her intense cravings during pregnancy, confessing: "I know I'm a nutritionist but it doesn't mean I eat perfectly. I love sugar. I think there's definitely a psychological component to it but when I was pregnant I could live off milk chocolate buttons, I mean like daily, it was bad."

"So just to make anyone feel better we all have our things, but now if I'm looking at it I now for instance pick chocolate that doesn't have as much preservatives in it."

Rhiannon also stressed the importance of balance in eating habits, advocating for occasional indulgence in what she calls "enjoyed items" rather than a strict diet. She explained: "I'm a big believer...that if you allow yourself enjoyed items you're less likely to binge, less likely to overeat and you do not have these crazy cravings. It's people that are very all or nothing...it's not helpful because it doesn't instil a healthy relationship with food."

She further noted that maintaining optimal gut health, which is vital for overall well-being, requires a careful selection of foods that can either support or hinder this aspect of health.

Studies indicate that your morning cuppa could be more than just a wake-up call, with coffee emerging as a potential boon for gut health. Speaking to the Telegraph, Nicola Shubrook, a registered nutritionist, highlighted the perks of coffee for our internal ecosystem: "The microbiome comprises legions of species of 'good bacteria' that work collectively and individually to improve our health. These microbes are increasingly being seen to benefit our metabolic health, weight management and mental health."

She further explained, "Coffee contains several compounds that act as a prebiotic, which means that they nourish the probiotic beneficial bacteria by providing them with nutrients necessary for growth and function."