Some things in life whisper before they roar, and your gut is one of them. A little bloating here, some irregular digestion there, that heavy, sluggish feeling after meals. We tend to brush it off as no big deal, until the discomfort becomes constant, loud, and impossible to ignore.
At Culinary Canvas, we believe food can be a gentle yet powerful healer. As we wrap up our Weekly Salad Recipe Series, we’re turning our attention to something often overlooked but absolutely vital: your gut.
Your gut isn’t just a digestive engine, it’s home to trillions of microbes that influence everything from immunity to mood and mental clarity. When it’s out of balance, your entire body can feel the strain. Poor gut health has been linked to fatigue, skin issues, brain fog, and even hormonal disruptions.
That’s why our final salad bowl is crafted with care to calm, nourish, and restore. It’s packed with fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory ingredients that feel light going down and work hard once they’re in, supporting your microbiome and bringing your body back into harmony.
Why This Salad Supports Gut Health
Your gut thrives on the right kind of nourishment. It loves prebiotics natural fibers that feed the good bacteria. It needs probiotics live cultures that help replenish and balance your system. And it benefits deeply from anti-inflammatory nutrients that soothe irritation and support long-term healing. This salad brings all of that together, using simple, local ingredients that are as restorative as they are delicious.
The Gentle Gut-Healing Salad
Ingredients
1 cup shredded ugu leaves (fluted pumpkin) – rich in fibre and chlorophyll
1/2 cup thinly sliced cabbage – contains glutamine to help repair gut lining
1/4 cup grated carrots – adds crunch, fibre, and antioxidants
1/2 cup cooked unripe plantain cubes – resistant starch to feed gut bacteria
2 tablespoons fermented locust beans (iru) – a Nigerian probiotic powerhouse
1 tablespoon chia seeds – for fibre and omega-3s
A handful of avocado slices – gentle fats that soothe inflammation
Dressing:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
A pinch of sea salt
A sprinkle of dry scent leaf or uziza for added gut-friendly flavor
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine ugu, cabbage, carrots, and unripe plantain.
Add in the fermented locust beans and gently toss.
Top with avocado and chia seeds.
Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle the herbs.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for flavours to meld.
Gut-Loving Tips With This Salad
Chew slowly. Gut healing starts in your mouth. Slow chewing aids digestion.
Eat calmly. Stress shuts down digestion,breath, relaxi, and eat with presence.
Add fermented sides. Pair with a spoon of fermented pap or a cup of zobo kombucha if available.
From Hormones To Energy To Immunity It’s All Connected
Over the past four weeks, we’ve journeyed through salads for hormone health, energy support, skin and immunity, and now gut healing. Each recipe has been a quiet act of self-care, a reminder that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.
As we close out this series, remember: true health isn’t found in one perfect meal, but in the small, consistent choices we make every day. A well-crafted salad is more than just food. It’s a quiet investment in your future self.
Let each bowl you build from here on be guided by intention. Let your plate reflect what your body is quietly asking for rest, energy, clarity, or calm.
At Culinary Canvas, we’ll always remind you: food should feel good, not complicated. It should nourish, not overwhelm. And most of all, it should meet you exactly where you are, with simplicity, colour, and care.
Until our next series, stay gently nourished.
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