Riley Webb has long battled intestinal problems all through working hours. Typical business lunch choices—sandwiches, chips, and sugary drinks—did not appeal to him.
“I would often find myself bloated and slow, and occasionally it felt like I couldn’t focus for the rest of the day,” he says. Riley started making simple lunches he could readily bring for work in order to better his gut health and general energy level.
Riley started by emphasizing cutting processed meals, which usually left him feeling overweight. Rather, he changed to eat nutrient-dense, easily digestible meals that might help him. “I started cooking meals heavy in fermenting foods, which are fantastic for gut health, and fiber,” he notes.
One of his favorite meals evolved into a dish of quinoa topped with roasted vegetables—sweet potatoes and broccoli—along with kimchi on the side.
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Riley says, “Kimchi is packed with probiotics; the quinoa boosts my protein without making me feel bloated.” He also began preparing homemade hummus to go with cucumbers or carrots. “Hummus has good fats; the vegetable fiber keeps things flowing naturally.”
Another classic was a grain-based salad topped with avocado and a basic lemon-tahini vinaigrette using farro, spinach, and chickpeas. The protein from the chickpeas and the good fats from the avocado kept him full without the heavy sensation he used to get.
Riley discovered with little preparation that eating for his stomach was about feeling energy and engaged all day, not only about avoiding discomfort. “When I eat gut-friendly meals, I feel better, my digestion improves, and I have more energy to tackle my work,” he notes.
