Slow cooker recipes are a fantastic way to prepare healthy, flavorful meals with minimal effort. Not only do they offer convenience, but many slow cooker dishes can also be beneficial for gut health and achieving a flatter belly. By incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like fibrous vegetables, lean proteins, and probiotic-rich foods, these recipes can promote a balanced digestive system and support overall wellness.
Below are four of our favorite gut-healthy slow cooker recipes. These dishes provide digestive benefits and are perfect for the fall season. Keep reading to explore them!
1. Gut-Healthy Chicken and Vegetable Stew
Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, says that the chicken thighs in this recipe provide protein and collagen, "which supports gut lining integrity."
As for the veggies, "carrots, celery, and sweet potato offer fiber and antioxidants that promote a healthy gut microbiome."
The spices, such as turmeric and ginger, and probiotics, such as apple cider vinegar, "have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the digestive tract. Adds beneficial enzymes and probiotics for gut health."
Together, these ingredients not only make the stew a comforting fall dish but also support a healthier gut, potentially leading to a flatter belly.
To prepare this hearty slow cooker stew, start by placing 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, into the slow cooker. Add 2 sliced medium carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1 cubed medium sweet potato, 1 chopped zucchini, 1 diced small onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger.
Next, season the ingredients with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, salt, and pepper to taste, and add a bay leaf. Pour in 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes with no salt added. Stir everything together to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. About 15 minutes before serving, stir in 1 cup of chopped kale or spinach and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, allowing the greens to wilt. Remove the bay leaf, and serve the stew warm, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added flavor.
2. Beef & Broccoli
For a rich and filling meal complete with vitamins, minerals, and ample protein, this beef and broccoli dish fits the bill. Serve it over a portion of brown rice for some added healthy carbs and you have a meal perfect for allowing you to reach your weight loss goals or simply maintaining your well being without skimping on flavor.
The broccoli adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to overall satiety and digestive health. Using low-sodium soy sauce and homemade broth helps reduce unnecessary sodium intake, which can prevent water retention and bloating, ultimately leading to a flatter stomach. The dish is also low in unhealthy fats and sugars, making it a nutritious alternative to high-calorie takeout options.
Ingredients: Flank steak, beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, chili-garlic paste, minced garlic, cornstarch, broccoli florets, brown rice, chopped green onions
3. Slow Cooker Minestrone
Who doesn't love an easy-to-make soup?! A hearty serving of minestrone is one of the best—and tastiest—ways to pack some fiber-filled veggies into your daily diet. Luckily, this slow cooker recipe makes it easier than ever to cook up this delicious Italian soup.
Carrots, celery, zucchini, and spinach are packed with fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Fiber helps reduce bloating and supports a feeling of fullness, both of which can contribute to a flatter belly.
From kidney beans to zucchini, the ingredients will have your body (and your digestive system) feeling happier and healthier than ever. Yum!
Ingredients: vegetable broth, water, can of diced tomatoes, white kidney beans, carrots, celery, onion, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt, pepper, pasta, zucchini, spinach, parmesan cheese, basil
4. Golden Lentil Soup
Turmeric is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients you could include in your wellness routine and this soup will help to fill you up and keep you satiated while resetting your digestion this fall.
Loaded with fibrous lentils and veggies for a punch of plant-based protein, this meal is the perfect staple comfort meal for those nights when you’re looking for something fresh and healthy to nourish you. An added bonus? It stores well for leftovers throughout the week to cut down on excess cooking.
Ingredients: Onion, carrots, garlic, red lentils, vegetable broth, water, tomato paste, kosher salt, ground black pepper, turmeric, cumin, grated ginger, kale, canned coconut milk, fresh lime, cilantro
