Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

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in Blog· Digestive Health· Food Allergy and Sensitivity

The Alligator Pear for Digestive Health

You’re probably thinking, ‘what on earth is an alligator pear?’ Well, it is the beloved and wildly popular avocado. The subject of many conversations lately – from guac to toast – the avocado is a widely discussed and wildly diverse in it’s use!

Avocados have been around since about 7000BC, but they’ve only been cultivated since about 750 BC. Many people don’t  know that the avocado is actually a berry! Yes, it’s true. Even though it’s well known that the avocado is a fruit, it is specifically a berry, which makes it even more intriguing.

Avocados are loaded with fiber and potassium, designed to aid in bloating and gas, while at the same time, their natural high content of fat helps you feel full for longer periods of time. The fats that are contained in an avocado are actually heart healthy fats and aid in cardiovascular function.

Here’s the caveat that most people don’t even consider given the popularity of the avocado: that in certain cases it could actually be the cause of your digestive discomfort. For those who are FODMAP sensitive (apples, onion, and garlic also fall into this category), or have a latex food allergy, your digestive system has a difficult time digesting the avocado. To combat negative effects from the avocado, a standard serving for FODMAP sensitive individuals is approximately ⅛ of an avocado. Experiment with serving size to determine if you can reap the massive benefits of the fruit, while not taxing your digestive system too much. If you think you might be intolerant to avocados, try avoiding them for at least a couple of weeks and see if your symptoms change.

If you are able to enjoy the fruit in unlimited amounts, one of my favorite ways to use an avocado is to cut it in half, poach an egg, place the egg in the center, and sprinkle a bit of Himalayan salt and crushed red pepper flakes on top. You can also slice it and top anything – salad, rice, grilled chicken, open faced sandwich – it makes a creamy almost mayo like garnish.  Avocado is an excellent high heat cooking oil, that does not become carcinogenic as it heats.

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Do you take supplements? How did you decide which Do you take supplements?  How did you decide which ones were right for you?  One of my favorites that can benefit many is black elderberry. Have you heard of it? 
 
This powerful herb helps: 
Reduce inflammation
Enhance immune system
Benefit cardiovascular function
 
The second bullet point highlights why elderberry is SO important to take in winter months. Our immune systems are getting back up to speed this season after two years! Elderberry is well researched and shown to be an effective supplement for fighting bacteria and viruses. 

Share this post with a friend who may benefit from black elderberry.
If you are what you eat, what are you? I actually If you are what you eat, what are you?

I actually used to obsess over what I ate. That wasn’t a long term solution for good nutrition, so I’ve learned how to eat what makes me feel good and is health promoting. 

Learn more about how you can take control of your health with nutrition, click the link in bio.
The winter blues hit everyone differently. You mig The winter blues hit everyone differently. You might find yourself looking to food or sleep for comfort while the weather changes your sleep and mood.

While you can’t change the weather, here’s some proactive steps you can take to battle the blues: ❄️

🥕 Eat Your Veggies. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to eat heavy, high fat processed foods. Explore recipes like hearty vegetable soups, roasted vegetables, and omega 3 rich foods. 

🏂 Go Outside. Exercise inside is fantastic, but don’t let that keep you from a brisk walk outside. 

🤗 Keep Social. Social interaction is important for your mood. Make sure to keep your social engagements even if you don’t feel like leaving your house. You will be glad you did.
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