Gut health pop up lunch with Emma Ellice-Flint

We are excited to be hosting a pop-up vegan lunch and gut health Q & A on March 14th, welcoming once again Emma Ellice-Flint and her wisdom to The Forge.

Words : Daisy Dobson Photography : Silkie Lloyd

What is gut health?

The gut, also known as the ‘second brain’ is where trillions of organisms live - collectively known as the microbiome. Each organism plays a role from digestion, absorption of nutrients to keeping each other in check. Experts say that the balance between good and bad bacteria in the microbiome affects your physical and mental wellbeing - from controlling your immune system to the way your brain processes certain information. Keeping all the bacteria in your gut in balance is a tricky business - stress, toxins, hormones, a course of antibiotics and food choices can all play a role in tipping the balance to good or bad.

Why is gut health important?

Feeding the gut the right stuff increases the production of good bacteria - ready to battle the bad and generally make you feel better. When your gut is overpopulated with bad bacteria, it enters your bloodstream and leaves you all out of whack. The best way to boost the good bacteria in your gut is to eat the right foods; miso, tempeh (fermented soybeans) sauerkraut, kimchi and sourdough bread have all got the good stuff with the added benefit of being delicious.

Emma Ellice-Flint, expert nutritionist and chef joins us this month for a vegan lunch here at The Forge. She will be hosting a Q&A and sharing delicious dishes each with a focus on gut health the menu below will leave you inspired and satisfied!

The Menu

Hand Rolls with Crispy Fried Tofu & Home Made Pickled Ginger
Mushroom & Fennel Hotpot

Warm Parsnip & Purple Sprouting Salad tossed with Roast Chickpeas
Ancient Grain Salad with Spring Herbs, Wild Garlic & Softened Leeks
Home Made Purple Cabbage & Cumin Sauerkraut

Forced Rhubarb, Apple & Cardamon Cake with Cashew Cream
Chocolate Truffles
Fig & Ginger Slice

*There may be slight changes depending on ingredient availability