A gut health expert has warned that a simple 'protein mistake' might be behind your digestive troubles. Dr Megan Rossi, a specialist in the microbiome and digestive wellness, has identified a common dietary issue affecting many people.
Dr Rossi cautioned that excessive protein consumption could harm your gut health unless you simultaneously boost your fibre intake. Data from the British Nutrition Foundation shows that most Britons already meet or surpass the recommended 0.75g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. However, fibre consumption tells a different tale, with over 90 per cent of us falling short of the recommended 30g daily intake.
"Did you know that having excess protein is linked with poor gut health?" she questioned. "As a gut health dietician and scientist, let me reassure you, this isn't always about the meat itself, but what's missing alongside it." She introduced the concept of the 'fibre-protein index', explaining that when protein intake is high but fibre intake is low, it can shift the gut towards a more aggressive environment, potentially leading to foul-smelling gas.
Dr Rossi emphasised that this does not mean cutting out animal products, but rather ensuring that if you increase your protein, you also increase your fibre from plants. She advocates for snacks such as a wrap with hummus, seeds, and vegetables, or sourdough with nut butter and raspberries, which provide both protein and fibre.
