Day Six

Day six- be prepared. Food prep and keeping the fridge stocked with goodness is a big part of this 60 day venture. Basically whenever I have a minute, even if it's too early or too late to eat- prepare! When I get back to working full time, I know I won't always have time to make healthy meals when I'm hungry for them.

Some of my favourite things to have ready in 'bulk' is cooked potatoes, rice and pasta. The cool thing about cooking starches- once they're cooked and chilled, they become resistant starch. But what does that mean? It's like food magic!

In Plant Powered Plus, Dr. Bulsiewicz explains that resistant starch is a unique carbohydrate that skips digestion in the small intestine. Instead of being broken down into sugar and absorbed into your bloodstream, it travels intact to the large intestine. Once there, it acts as a high-grade fuel source for your beneficial gut microbes.

When these microbes ferment resistant starch, they produce a powerful compound called butyrate. This molecule is the primary energy source for the cells that line the colon, helping to strengthen the gut barrier and reduce systemic inflammation. By fueling these cells and the surrounding "good" bacteria, resistant starch helps stabilize blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, and can even trigger hormones that help us feel full and satisfied after eating.

I can mix and match my resistant starches with my prepped and sautéed veggie blend for a tasty filling bowl of flavour, make a potato or pasta salad, or even reheat them like a stir fry- even when reheated they stay resistant! More on food prep tomorrow, stay tuned..