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    10 life lessons from a newly minted 30-year-old digital editor

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    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    22 seconds ago

    I just turned 30, and what better way to mark the milestone than by running off to Bangkok with my two lifelong best friends? Five days, countless Pad Thais, and several questionable spa treatments later, I had what can only be described as a 30th-birthday epiphany. Between midnight tuk-tuk rides and laugh-until-you-cry conversations about how we’re officially out of the “young” category, I realized a few life lessons—some surprisingly deep, others hilariously shallow.

    Ah, turning 30. The age when you’ve been around long enough to start feeling like you should probably have your life together by now but also aren’t quite ready to actually have it together. I mean, I tried in my twenties, I really did. But now that I’m entering my third decade, I’m suddenly aware that I actually know absolutely nothing, but I’ve become okay with it. Here are some of my tried-and-tested life lessons:

    1. Finally Feeling Comfortable in Your Own Skin

    From all the life lessons, this one is very important. You spend all of your teens and twenties worrying about every inch of yourself. But now? My skin may have a mind of its own, but at least it’s a familiar one. I’ve got laugh lines, pigmentation and, yes, I still cringe when I think about how much of my youth I wasted comparing myself to Instagram filters. Thirty-year-old me says, “Screw it.” These laugh lines mean I’ve laughed a lot, and that’s something I’m weirdly proud of now. Embrace the skin you’re in, because surgery is expensive.

    2. The Power of Saying ‘No’

    When you’re 20, you think “no” will make you unpopular. By 30, you realize it’s the magic word that’ll save your sanity. “Want to go to Zuma for dinner on a Tuesday night?” No. “Want to go to a pilates class at 6:00 am on a weekend at Alserkal Avenue ?” Hard no. In fact, I’d love to say no to everyone and everything some days. Saying “no” is like a superpower that, when wielded correctly, frees you from obligations you never wanted to agree to in the first place. Try it. Liberate yourself.

    3. Learning to Love Your Flaws

    Let’s get one thing straight: the word “flaws” is problematic. By now, I’ve just learned that I am, in fact, a compilation of bizarre idiosyncrasies and highly specific food aversions, and I am rolling with it. I’ve got quirks, not flaws. Like, yeah, I can’t function without coffee, I lose my keys at least twice a day, and I have to wear SPF 50 in the shade. But hey, these things make me unique. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

    4. Learning Not to Take Yourself So Seriously

    Ever had a mortifying moment that kept you up for days? By 30, you’ve realized nobody else remembers it, and if they do, you’re simply giving them free entertainment. I spent a lot of my twenties trying to “brand” myself or “build a personal legacy.” Now I’m just trying to make it through the day without embarrassing myself in front of my coworkers.

    5. Taking Chances (Even if They’re Small and Kind of Terrifying)

    Thirty has taught me that taking chances doesn’t mean cliff diving or quitting your job to backpack through Iceland (though go for it if you’re into that). Sometimes taking a chance means, like, talking to someone new at a party or trying an oat milk latte even though it sounds strange. I’m learning that taking risks doesn’t mean being reckless; it’s just being open to the weirdness life throws at you.

    6. Picking Up Hobbies That Don’t Earn Money

    Somewhere in your twenties, “hustle culture” convinces you that all your hobbies need to have a profit margin. So, knitting becomes “knitting with an Etsy side business,” and baking turns into “artisanal cupcake catering.” But at 30, I’ve finally given myself permission to be bad at things and not even care. Knitting, baking, poorly playing padel— all just for me. My hobbies aren’t monetizable, and that’s exactly what makes them mine.

    7. Learning to Take Care of Your Health (Skin and Gut, Mainly)

    There comes a time in every adult’s life when they realize pizza and ice cream at 2 a.m. are no longer “just food” but rather “the regrettable decision that will haunt you for the next three days.” Enter the world of probiotics, SPF, and collagen powder that makes you question all your life choices. Turns out, gut health isn’t just a fad—it’s a full-time job. And skin? Oh, now I’m spending more on serums than I ever did on concert tickets, and you know what? I don’t even care anymore. Skin-care routines have become the new version of partying till dawn, and I don’t hate it.

    8. Valuing Friendships That Invest in You

    My early twenties were spent in one long, unfulfilling friendship marathon, where I thought it was my duty to keep up with every person I’d ever shared a textbook with. At 30, I’m prioritizing friendships like a triage nurse. The friendships that grow with you, cheer for you, and don’t disappear when you’re having a bad day? Those are keepers. Anyone else? If we’re still ghosting each other in group chats, that’s a sign it’s time to move on.

    9. Taking Yourself on Dates

    Turns out, alone time isn’t a punishment. In fact, a coffee date with yourself (even if it includes reading restaurant reviews and eating alone) is something to look forward to. At 30, I’ve embraced the joy of flying solo. It’s taken me a while, but I can finally go out, sit by myself, and not worry that people are judging me. In fact, they probably envy my solo zen.

    10. Learning That ‘Success’ Isn’t a Checklist

    Ah, success—the looming, unattainable prize. Turns out, 30 taught me it’s not about the checklist of achievements society expects (career, house, car, family, etc.). It’s more like learning to exist happily without needing to “arrive” anywhere. Real success? Knowing you’re not perfect, not taking yourself too seriously, and still being okay with the whole thing. The days of obsessively comparing myself to every successful person on social media are (almost) over.

    Being 30 means I’ve made peace with my quirks, learned to say “no,” and finally accepted that I don’t have all the answers. So, if you’re turning 30 soon (or if you’re already here), don’t stress and learn from these life lessons. Embrace the imperfections, laugh at your mistakes, and don’t forget the probiotics.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Pinterest  More

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      Here’s How A High-Fibre Diet Can Improve Your Digestion And Gut Health, According To Nutritionists

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      It’s no secret that fibre supplements are making a major comeback these days. From gummies and capsules to psyllium husk to help your gut health, there are plenty of products on the market these days to aid digestion, ease constipation and help you stay fuller for longer. When it comes to good nutrition, experts say you shouldn’t sleep on a high-fibre diet—but before shopping for supps, it may help to stock up on fibre-rich foods first.

      Consuming more fibre in your diet has many health benefits, says dietician Deborah Cohen. Because fibre is typically found in plant-based foods, consuming more of those tends to be good for your overall health, she says. Fibre also helps your intestinal tract function optimally and plays an important role in preventing metabolic diseases, according to a 2022 study in Nutrients.

      So, what does a high-fibre diet involve and can it really help your gut health? Ahead, dieticians break down what fibre is, how much you need and simple ways to work more into your diet.

      Meet the experts: Vanessa Rissetto, RD, is a dietician and the CEO and co-founder of Culina Health. Deborah Cohen, DCN, RDN, is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Science at Rutgers University. Nutritionist Karen Ansel, RDN, is author of Healthy in a Hurry.

      What is fibre and how much do you need?

      Fibre is a nutrient that comes from the food you eat and is an essential part of a healthy diet, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The current recommendation for daily fibre intake is 14 grams for every 1,000 calories per day—about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That said, most adults need about 25 to 30 grams of fibre per day, according to a 2022 review in the National Library of Medicine. “Trouble is, most of us only consume about 10 to 15 grams a day, so almost all of us could use more,” says dietician Karen Ansel, RDN, author of Healthy in a Hurry.

      Here are the different types of fibre to have on your radar:

      Photo by Valeriya Kobzar on Pexels

      Dietary Fibre

      This type is typically found in plants, says dietician Vanessa Rissetto.

      “It’s resistant to digestion in the human small intestine,” she says, meaning that it can’t be broken down and therefore passes through your body undigested.

      Dietary fibre can help keep your hunger and blood sugar in check, per Harvard Health.

      Image by: Wikimedia Commons

      Added Fibre

      Also known as “functional fibre,” this type is added to foods during the manufacturing process, Cohen says.

      “Types of added fibre include beta-glucan soluble fibre, psyllium husk, cellulose, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum and hydroxyethylcellulose,” she says. “These fibre are either found naturally in foods or made synthetically in a lab and added to foods to increase the fibre content of a food.”

      Added fibre may help with lowering cholesterol and keeping you regular, Ansel says.

      Image by Freepik

      Soluble Fibre

      Soluble fibre interacts with water to create a gel-like substance, Cohen says. It is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, barley, nuts and many vegetables, per Mount Sinai. It’s also known for its role in lowering cholesterol in the blood, per Cohen.

      Image by Freepik

      Insoluble Fibre

      This form of fibre doesn’t dissolve in water and is found in wheat products (especially wheat bran), quinoa, brown rice, legumes and leafy greens, per Harvard Health.

      “Insoluble fibre works like a broom, moving food through your gut so it’s great for keeping you regular and preventing constipation,” Ansel says.

      READ MORE: Fibre For Weight Loss: How Much Should You Eat? What Nutritionists Recommend

      Benefits Of A High-Fibre Diet

      Here are a few potential perks of going on a high-fibre diet, according to experts.

      More fibre may help lower your cholesterol.

      Foods high in soluble fibre, in particular, may cause at least moderate (0.20-0.40 mmol/L) reductions in LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind), per a 2021 review in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. “This gel blocks cholesterol absorption and whisks it out of the body, making it a powerful tool for anyone trying to lower their cholesterol,” Ansel says.

      “Soluble fibre is so effective that consuming five to 10 grams a day has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol by five to 11 points,” she says.

      It supports good gut health.

      Loading up on fibre helps keep you regular (as in, pooping frequently), Cohen says. Keeping things moving also lowers your risk of constipation and diverticulosis, a condition where small pouches form in the lining of the intestine, she says. Fibre-rich diets may help improve your gut microbiome, per a 2022 review in Trends in Food Science and Technology.

      It may lower your risk of certain diseases.

      Getting more fibre in your diet has been associated with a lowered risk of dying from heart disease and cancer, among other serious health conditions, per a study on dietary fibre in The Lancet. High fibre intake is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, research shows, and it has even been linked to a lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, per a 2020 study.

      It helps you to feel full and may help with weight loss.

      “Fibre promotes satiety and helps us feel full,” Cohen says. This is because fibre helps stimulate signals from the gastrointestinal tract to parts of the brain involved in appetite regulation, according to a 2024 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.

      In addition to staying fuller for longer, if you’re trying to lose weight, increasing your fibre intake may be beneficial. In a recent 16-week study of 4,477 participants in the U.S., 62.5 percent of people who participated in a plant-based, fibre-rich eating program reported weight loss (about 3.2 kilograms on average).

      Potential Risks Of A High-Fibre Diet

      “Adults—typically those who are vegans or following a raw food diet—could run into problems with too much fibre or if they increase their fibre intake too quickly,” Cohen says. Having more than 40 grams a day is usually too much for people, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, feeling really full, cramps, diarrhea, constipation and nausea, she says.

      This also means that having a high-fibre diet may not be ideal for people with certain bowel diseases. In fact, a low-fibre diet may be recommended for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) during a flare, per Mount Sinai. If you’re upping your fibre intake, be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.

      Additionally, having too much fibre may also cause nutrient deficiencies of calcium, iron and zinc, Cohen says. “Fibre binds to these nutrients and prevents their absorption,” she says. If you suspect you may have a nutrient deficiency, consult your healthcare provider about lab tests and the best next steps.

      READ MORE: PCOS Diet Plan: The Best Foods To Eat (And Limit) When You Have PCOS, According To Experts

      General Guidelines For A High-Fibre Diet

      “If you’d like to increase your fibre intake, start with small servings of fibre-rich foods to give your digestive system time to adjust,” Ansel says. This may mean sprinkling a few tablespoons of canned black beans on top of tacos before amping up to having a mixture of half beef and half beans. “Once that feels comfortable, skip the beef and try a taco made entirely with beans,” Ansel says.

      It’s a good idea to drink plenty of water when you’re having lots of fibre, since fibre binds to water, she says. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting constipated or bloated.

      Fibre supplements can be one way to increase your intake of the nutrient, but Cohen doesn’t recommend going this route if you can help it. “Taking a fibre supplement does not make up for a diet that is low in fruits, veggies and whole grains, or high in ultra processed food,” Cohen says. “Most published research on the health benefits of fibre were conducted in populations who consume foods high in fibre and not just supplements with fibre.”

      The bottom line: If you’re looking to increase your fibre intake, start slow. Listen to your body and gradually increase things up from there.

      This article written by Korin Miller first appeared on Women’s Health US. More

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      Unlocking Gut Health: The Power Of Probiotic Supplements According To A Medical Expert

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      Trusting your gut feeling is encouraged if the situation is certain. However, when your gut health is anything but healthy, we recommend scrolling down to read more on how to remedy the situation. Here’s how to find the perfect probiotic to combat gut deficiencies. 

      Meet The Expert: Sam Swaine is a vitamin and supplements counsellor and founder of The Rebalance Lab. The lab provides a holistic approach to ageing and longevity.

      What Is Gut Health?

      Gut health is the health of your entire digestive system, including the microorganisms living in your digestive tract. When your gut is healthy, it can break down food, provide essential nutrients and support body systems with ease. If you have come across terms such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), acid reflux disorder, gluten intolerance and more of this sort, this alludes to an unhealthy gut. To fight these off, look to probiotics and find the next addition for your supplement drawer. 

      READ MORE: What To Eat To Keep Your Gut Healthy And Your Skin Glowing

      What Are Probiotics?

      According to Sam Swaine, probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that are good for our digestive system. Probiotics carry bacteria which many may think are harmful but on the contrary, the “germs” or bacteria are ‘good’ bacteria which, as Swaine illustrates, “…add to our existing supply of friendly microbes which also helps us fight infections and boosts our immunity.”

      For improved gut health, probiotics have been known to “…improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, help manage diarrhoea, boost the immune system and help maintain your microbiome or get it back in balance after it’s been disturbed.”

      “A good probiotic is allergen-free and doesn’t trigger any food sensitivities or upset your digestive system.”

      Probiotic Supplements Recommended For Gut Health

      “When choosing a probiotic, it’s important to look at Colony Forming Units (CFUs). This measures the number of active microorganisms found in a serving of probiotics. It is recommended that a probiotic taken for general gut health should have at least 10-20 billion CFUs according to research” says Swaine.

      Bifidobacteria

      It helps support the immune system and limit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestine. They also help digest fibre and assist in producing important vitamins that the body needs.

      Lactobacillus

      It is a variety of bacteria that produces lactase – the enzyme that breaks down lactose, or milk sugar. These bacteria also produce lactic acid. Lactic acid helps control the population of bad bacteria and increases the body’s absorption of minerals. 

      Helpful tip by Swaine: always read the ingredients on the bottle of your probiotic, choose a brand that is transparent about the probiotic strains in their supplement and all the additional ingredients you’ll find in their product.

      Who Should Not Take Probiotic Supplements?

      “Probiotics are generally safe, but you should always consult a healthcare specialist before taking any supplement,” says Swaine. Although probiotics are recommended here is a list of people Swaine advises to hold off the probiotics.

      People with weakened immune systems taking immunosuppressant drugs.

      People with critical and chronic illnesses. 

      People who have just had surgery as their immune system is compromised. 

      People with severe food allergies

      People with preexisting gastrointestinal disorders.

      READ MORE: “I Drank Kombucha Every Day For 10 Days — It Was Amazing”

      Healthy Habits You Should Consider To Accommodate The Probiotics

      Recommendations by our expert, Sam, on how to help you “maintain a happy and balanced gut.”

      Avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar as these foods decrease the amount of “good” bacteria and diversity in your gut.

      Eat a diet that is rich in fermented foods, these contain a natural source of probiotics.

      Examples include yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, and tempeh. 

      Drinks like kombucha are also a great source of probiotics, and speaking of drinks, keeping hydrated with water is crucial for a healthy gut.

      Eat high-fibre foods. 

      Look to collagen-rich foods like bone broth.

      Find foods that are rich in polyphenols (plant compounds supporting beneficial gut bacteria) such as blueberries, plums, cherries, apples, strawberries, black currants, black olives, dark chocolate, black tea, coffee, hazelnuts, and pecan nuts.

      Good quality sleep.

      Regular exercise.

      Manage stress levels. 

      Words by: Lesego Kgatle More

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      6 Health Benefits Of Kombucha You Should Know About, According To Dieticians

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      As far as drinks that have transcended hipster status go, kombucha – and kombucha health benefits – is right up there with green juice and coconut water. Convenience stores and petrol stations carry the stuff these days. So it’s safe to say kombucha has officially gone mainstream⁠ — and, in the process, gained a rep as a health tonic for everything from gut trouble to lifeless skin.

      But is the slightly sour-tasting drink really a magic health potion ⁠— or just another health fad? Given today’s surge in all sorts of wellness products (and the growing research on the benefits of probiotics on many aspects of health), kombucha is here to stay, says Beth Warren, a dietician and author of Secrets of a Kosher Girl. In the age of pills and supplements, “kombucha is a major source of whole-food probiotics,” she says.

      What is kombucha?

      Quick refresher: Kombucha is a mixture of black or green tea and sugar that’s fermented with the help of a SCOBY (short for symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). Essentially a blob of live bacteria that sits on top of the tea mixture, the SCOBY turns kombucha into the carbonated beverage you know and (maybe) love.

      People generally describe the brew as “rather effervescent with a slight vinegary and tea taste,” says Keri Gans, a dietician.

      Kombucha fans claim the slightly nose-stinging stuff does everything from help with weight loss and boost energy, to lower blood pressure and (yes, really) even prevent cancer, says Gans.

      So what are the kombucha health benefits I should know about?

      Honestly, it would be pretty much impossible for kombucha to live up to every single health claim associated with it.

      So far, research on the drink is pretty scant. Example: Though one study on mice found that the bubbly brew could help lower both cholesterol and blood sugar, researchers haven’t replicated these findings in humans yet.

      Still, if you break down all the components in the drink, you’re still looking at some pretty promising health benefits, says WH advisor Dr Samantha Nazareth, a gastroenterologist.

      READ MORE: 10 Low-Calorie Cocktails Worth Sipping On This Summer

      1. Probiotics for your gut

      Like other fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, kombucha’s health benefits extends to its probiotic properties. It contains probiotics, beneficial bacteria that have been linked to gut health, says Nazareth. Having the right balance of these microbes in your gut helps with immunity, digestion and balancing blood sugar.

      Kombucha’s probiotics come from its sugar and the yeast in the SCOBY. Though they’re different than those you’ll find in fermented cabbage, the benefit is likely similar, notes Nazareth.

      2. Kombucha’s antioxidants may help fight disease. 

      Since kombucha is made with green or black tea, it’s rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and repair damaged cells, says Nazareth. Tea polyphenols may even protect against some forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to research published in Critical Reviews of Food Science and Nutrition.

      Tea also contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which have been associated with a lower risk of cancer, notes Gans.

      3. The acetic acid in kombucha helps fight bad bacteria.

      Kombucha gets its slightly vinegary flavour from acetic acid, an anti-microbial agent found in vinegar like apple cider vinegar (a.k.a. ACV). The acid can help fight off bad bacteria that enter our systems when you eat, says Nazareth.

      4. Drinking kombucha may help you kick your soda habit. 

      Whether you love soda’s bubbles or sweetness (or both), fizzy and flavorful kombucha can be a great better-for-you option when the craving strikes. “If someone replaces their daily high-sugar soda with a lower-sugar, probiotic-packed kombucha, then that is a win-win,” says Gans.

      5. Kombucha might be good for your waistline, too. 

      Full disclosure: Some promising research supports this claim but it’s not super robust. After an older study found that obese women who took green tea extract lost more weight than those who didn’t, experts began wondering whether tea-based kombucha might also have weight-related benefits. “It is hypothesised that kombucha made with green tea, specifically, may have a similar effect on weight loss,” says Warren. But, of course, research on kombucha itself will truly confirm the theory.

      6. Kombucha’s probiotics can help your skin glow. 

      You already know that kombucha’s probiotics can help balance out your gut⁠—and those balancing benefits can carry over to your complexion, too. In fact, according to Warren, as probiotics nourish the gut microbiome, they can help with inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema. However (as with kombucha’s potential impact on weight), more research is needed to understand its true skin benefits, Warren says.

      READ MORE: What Is Kombucha, Really? Here’s What You Should Know

      So I should grab a bottle right now?

      With so many nutritional hard-hitters, it’s tempting to have a daily ‘booch, but you might not want to chug bottles every day.

      When people first started drinking kombucha thousands of years ago, they took it as a shot, multiple times a day, says Nazareth. That was probably a good idea, considering the Centers for Disease Control recommends sticking to less than 350ml a day.

      How come? According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking a lot of kombucha may lead to stomach upset.

      Another reason not to overdo it: Kombucha does contain sugar (often about six or seven grams per serving). Drink a full bottle (two servings), and you’ve downed 14 out of the 25 grams of sugar you’re supposed to consume per day, says Nazareth. (Still, a significantly better option than soda.)

      To minimise the sugar issue, “look for brands that have less than four grams of sugar per serving and drink them in small amounts,” says WH advisor and integrative physician Dr Frank Lipman, founder of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City. He recommends mixing kombucha with soda water to dial down the sugar content further.

      Also good to know: Because kombucha is fermented it does contain traces of alcohol, (some brands more than others), says Gans. It also contains caffeine, which can make you anxious or unable to sleep if you chug too much.

      READ MORE: 15 Wellness Journals To Kickstart Your Year

      Curious? Try one of these kombucha brands.

      If you’re intrigued by kombucha’s funky flavour and potential benefits, Gans recommends trying one of the following quality kombucha brands on for size.

      BREW Kombucha Original

      Theonista Ginger & Rooibos Kombucha

      CultureLab Lemongrass Kombucha

      This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com. More

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      Overindulged? Gut Health Specialist talks gut health and mindful eating

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      Life

      by Camille Macawili
      2 hours ago

      Overindulged during the Eid festivities? Feeling bloated after a meal and don’t know where to start? We’ve got your gut covered.
      We ask the expert, Danielle Françoise, a Gut Health & Mindset Coach who works on helping clients heal from the inside out through breathwork, meditation, and gut cleansing.
      Here, Emirates Woman asks all you need to know to keep your gut health in check and why digestive issues start showing up in your 30s.
      Danielle Françoise, Gut Health & Mindset Coach | Photo: Instagram @coachedbyfrancoise
      What happens to your digestive system when you enter your 30s?
      Once we hit 30 the amount of stomach acid we produce starts to decrease more rapidly which is why around this age heartburn and acid reflux is more common and finding it harder to digest certain foods. By eliminating gluten and dairy while minimising alcohol and coffee consumption (swap out for a healthier energy boost like matcha) a lot of people see improvements pretty quickly. Being intuitive and making these adjustments as we age means we can stay in control of how good we feel – working with our bodies and not against them.
      Do debloating, probiotic, and pre-biotic supplements work? What should we be looking out for?
      The key thing here is unfortunately not all supplements are made equal. I swear by taking both pre and probiotics to produce and feed good bacteria in the gut which will improve your digestion but you need to look for clean ingredients and no bulking agents – this goes for any supplement you are buying.
      I don’t personally take or recommend any debloating pills as I believe in helping clients get to the root cause of their issues as bloating is very common but definitely not normal. It’s your body giving you a signal that your digestive system is not happy and we really shouldn’t ignore it.
      Aside from supplements, how can we look after our gut health?
      The gut needs and loves diversity.. so I always challenge my clients to work towards eating 30 different plant-based foods a week alongside their chosen protein sources – this includes fruit, veg, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fresh herbs. I’m also a huge fan of bone broth as it’s full of natural collagen which helps to heal and restore the gut wall lining. Start with a mug full every other morning on an empty stomach or if your gut really needs some TLC, have it every day for 2 weeks. It won’t be long until you start to feel better, it’s very powerful stuff.
      What should we be adding to our diet to reduce bloating and maintain a happy digestive system?
      Everyone is different which is why I work with clients on a 1:1 basis or create a personalised gut health plan after an in-depth online consultation, but gluten and wheat can be the devil for most, whether you get bloating symptoms or not. Especially in things like bread which just isn’t made the same as it used to be years ago and can play havoc on our digestive system. I would always encourage someone to go gluten and wheat free for a month and nearly everyone reports back on how amazing they feel – lighter, brighter, clear-headed, more energy, less or no bloating. Focusing on adding in lots of variety and colour to your diet alongside gut-loving fermented foods, live cultures, kombucha, bone broth and also making sure to actively minimise stress and do things that make you happy which is super important for a healthy thriving gut.
      Swipe through the gallery below to shop 9 of the best digestive supplements below to improve your digestion and gut health:

      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Instagram @karenwazen More

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      How I got my job as… UAE-based health and mindset coach

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      1 hour ago

      Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
      This week we chat with Danielle Françoise, UAE-based Health and Mindset coach who works on helping clients heal from the inside out. Through breathwork, meditation and gut cleansing, she’s able to guide her clients to live a more fulfilling life.
      After launching Coached by Françoise, her clients have access to her services at Dubai’s all-in-one wellness destination, Blended and can practice the art of meditation through different techniques.
      To understand more, Emirates Woman sat down with this Mindset coach to find out more about her health and wellness journey.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      Art. I loved having the opportunity to be creative and express myself.
      What was your first job?
      After I graduated from Leeds University in the UK and I was a dance teacher for two years in a secondary school academy. I had grown up dancing at a stage school from the age of three years old so at the time this was my dream job.
      What brought you to Dubai?
      Change of lifestyle, the weather and new opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
      What inspired you to become a health and mindset coach?
      I have been on my own personal health journey since the age of 15 when I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety. With a range of health issues that then followed over the next 15 years including insomnia, skin issues, alopecia and depression, once I finally found a health protocol that helped me heal naturally from the inside out with a huge focus on gut health, I wanted to be able to share and help others – especially those who were going through the same or similar issues. It took me years and years to finally crack it, from poor advice to getting stuck in the pharmaceutical system which is even more motivation to share what I have been through to help others fast-track their healing compared to my long journey.

      Talk us through the inspiration behind your sessions? Tell us more about your gut health plans.
      I guide people through meditation and breathwork online and in person here in Dubai, privately and in groups. Breathwork is an incredible way to relax and reset the nervous system and is something that personally helped get my anxiety under control. My personalised gut health plans I offer online for those who want to cleanse, repair and heal their gut which is the root cause of a lot of peoples issues so it will reduce any physical symptoms but also improves mental health as the gut is connected to the brain through the vagus nerve. Heal your gut, heal your whole body.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      To support, guide and educate those who want to heal their body naturally, long term and look at getting to the root cause of issues and not just temporarily treating the symptoms. I also love to share and relate my coaching approach to my own health journey and experiences so that it can inspire and motivate others. I give people the tools and knowledge they need to live a healthier and happier life, with no fuss or fluff, straight to the point. I also like to make it as fun and enjoyable as possible. healing yourself really is a vibe!
      Talk us through your daily routine.
      I like to wake up, get out into the sunlight, warm lemon water, take my supplements and then do a 10k walk around Dubai Marina while plugged into a motivational podcast. Sometimes I grab a matcha latte on the way back home (obsessed!) and then my schedule day to day can look slightly different. But on average, I will have meetings, online client calls, write up client plans, or preparing for a meditation and breathwork session at Blended Wellness or Nao Dubai. In the evening I like to join a reformer pilates class, a bike ride to Kite Beach to watch the sunset or catch up with friends over food. I’m a big foodie!
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      Research your course thoroughly and make sure it covers all the areas in detail that you want to learn and practice. For me, it was super to important to study gut health in-depth as that was the missing piece of my health journey and something I am super passionate about. I am a qualified Nutritional Therapist and a Transformational Life Coach and I love to combine the two disciplines within my work as I am a big believer in treating the whole person and offering a full body experience to heal and thrive long-term.

      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      ‘If we want something we have never had, we must do things we have never done.’ I repeat this to myself a lot when faced with new opportunities, challenges or things that take me way out of my comfort zone.
      And what is the worst?
      To just wait until you feel you are ready. In life, we will never feel ready, for anything. So go with your gut, push through the harder moments and there will be a stronger version of yourself waiting on the other side.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Probably my own mindset at times during challenging experiences with depression and anxiety. But I know from hitting rock bottom and pulling myself out of those dark places, (most of the time on my own as I didn’t want to worry anyone) that I wouldn’t be where I am now, doing what I love, helping and guding others. I am now grateful for my journey and those hard times for helping me to grow and become more fearless and resilient.
      What are the future plans for you as health & mindset coach?
      To continue working on myself – healing is a journey, not a destination so that I can serve and help heal others as my happiest and highest self. To broaden my business online so I can reach more people globally and just to carry on being the person I needed when I was younger – I became a health and mindset coach to help others but also as a big giant hug for my younger self.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram @coachedbyfrancoise More

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      in diet and nutrition

      What To Eat To Keep Your Gut Healthy And Your Skin Glowing

      by

      Here’s something new: it’s no longer bad manners to talk about what’s going on inside our tummies. Research now confirms that if we pay attention to the health of our gut, we can prevent breakouts, redness, dullness, inflammation and toxic build-up in our skin. Sounds good. But how can we improve gut health, fast?

      And what exactly is the connection between the gut and our skin? We ask the experts to shed some light on gut-healthy foods and supplements.

      READ MORE: “I Swapped My Regular Skincare Routine For A More Natural One — And The Results Were Surprising”

      Here, seven ways to keep your gut healthy and happy and your skin glowing…

      1. Eat a wide range of food

      Especially vegetables, fruit, seeds, legumes and fibre-rich carbohydrates to stimulate different strains of good bacteria.

      2. Get into fermented products

      Yoghurt, sauerkraut and kefir contain good bacteria lactobacilli, which help reduce the risk of disease.

      Choose a few fermented products and incorporate them into your day, or opt for a daily probiotic drink like Rawbiotics Daily, R97, from Faithful To Nature.

      3. Limit sweeteners

      Research shows artificial sweeteners increase blood sugar by stimulating the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Oof.

      READ MORE: Seriously Now, Is Alcohol Really THAT Bad For Your Sleep?

      4. Take a supplement

      Particularly when your skin is looking blah, a probiotic supplement ensures you’re giving your gut a healthy dose of live bacteria.

      Try Terra Nova Probiotic Complex, R397.50, from Faithful To Nature.

      5. Stock your plate with prebiotics

      Think artichokes, bananas, asparagus, oats and apples. These foods create a beneficial environment that allows good bacteria to grow instead of the bad stuff.

      6. Embrace whole grains

      With loads of fibre and beta-glucan, whole grains will encourage good bacteria to flourish.

      READ MORE: 21 Best Self-Care Gifts For Her That Go Way Beyond Face Masks

      7. Focus on polyphenols

      Plant compounds found in red wine, green tea, dark chocolate and olive oil, polyphenols help boost healthy bacterial growth.

      Try Cocoafair 95% Dark Chocolate, R57.99, from Faithful To Nature.

      Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. More