Microbiome Boosting Snack Plate

By Chief Nutrition

Microbiome Boosting Snack Plate
This recipe is a guest recipe by Holist, you can also find her on Instagram.


All Chief products are safe for the gut, one is particularly important for building a healthy gut...

Gut health isn’t just about probiotics; it’s about redefining what you’re eating every day.  

The cells lining your gut are constantly renewing. Amino acids from protein, especially glutamine and arginine, provide the building blocks for this repair process. Without enough protein, your gut lining can become weak, leading to increased intestinal permeability (aka “leaky gut”), which can trigger inflammation. 

This is why we’ve included Beef Sticks as our source of lean protein in the snack plate. They’re made with 95% Australian organic grass-fed beef, which means you’re getting the amino acids your gut lining relies on to repair and stay strong. This is a big piece of gut health that gets missed. 

We’ve kept the ingredient list tight on purpose, leaving out the extra’s you might find in the beef sticks at the gas station (we are looking at you, sodium nitrate) 

As much as beef sticks are absolutely delicious, they also contain a starter culture to support fermentation, and in turn, a healthy gut. It’s a simple addition to a gut-friendly snack plate that actually does what it promises. 

Here are a few other things that we love to add in order to keep our guts happy and thriving:

Gut-Loving French Onion Dip (GF)

Ingredients
  • 1–2 medium brown onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 cup ricotta (or cottage cheese)
  • ½ cup kefir
  • 5 tbsp Chief unflavoured collagen powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt + pepper, to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  • Caramelise the onions
  • In a bowl, combine: ricotta, kefir, collagen, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice or ACV
  • Combine
  • Chill + serve

Tips

  • Low and slow onions = deeper flavour + natural sweetness
  • If too thick, loosen with a splash of kefir
  • Tastes even better after sitting for a few hours

Microbiome Benefits

This dip supports gut health through a combination of prebiotics, probiotics and gut-lining nutrients. The onions are rich in prebiotic fibres like inulin, which feed beneficial gut bacteria and are fermented into short-chain fatty acids that support gut lining integrity. Kefir provides live probiotics, helping introduce and support a diverse microbiome. Collagen contributes amino acids that help maintain the structure of the intestinal lining, supporting barrier function. Combined with the fats and proteins in the dip, this helps slow digestion and create a more stable environment for the gut, making it a great example of a simple synbiotic food.

It is important to stack your plate with a diverse range of food to give your gut maximum benefits. Check out a few of our other favourite foods to add in. 

Radish

  • Rich in vitamin C to support immune function and collagen production
  • Contains glucosinolates, which are compounds that support your liver detoxification pathways
  • High water content, to support your hydration and digestion
  • Fibre to help regulate your bowel movements and gut health

Toasted Sourdough

  • Naturally fermented, which improves digestibility compared to standard bread
  • Contains beneficial organic acids to support your gut health and mineral absorption
  • Lower glycaemic impact (vs. white bread) that supports more stable blood sugar levels
  • A great source of B vitamins to support your energy production and nervous system function
  • Provides complex carbohydrates for stable energy

Passionfruit

  • High in vitamin C to support your immune function and glowing skin
  • Rich in dietary fibre (especially seeds) to support your gut health and satiety
  • Contains vitamin A, for important for glowing skin and eye health
  • Source of polyphenols to help reduce your oxidative stress
  • Naturally low GI, gentle on your blood sugar levels

Cucumber

  • Extremely hydrating (95% water) to supports glowing skin and cellular hydration
  • Contains silica to support skin, hair, and connective tissue health
  • Provides antioxidants to reduce inflammation
  • Soothing for your gut

Parmesan

  • High in protein, to supports muscle repair and satiety
  • Rich in calcium which is essential for your bones and teeth
  • Contains phosphorus to support your energy metabolism and bone strength
  • Naturally low in lactose, which is often better tolerated than other dairy
  • Provides umami flavour to enhance your meals, reducing need for excess salt, and supports satiety

Want more ideas to support your gut with a snack plate? Check out part 2

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