Naturally fast food chain, Leon has launched its new ‘Feel Sunny Inside’ campaign in partnership with Dr Megan Rossi, a gut health guru. The campaign celebrates foods with gut-boosting benefits, and highlights new and existing menu items. It also focuses on how to look after this important part of the body and offers the opportunity to win consultations with Dr Rossi.
Dr Rossi is a Registered Dietitian with a PhD in gut health, working as a Research Associate at King’s College London investigating nutrition-based therapies in gastrointestinal health. She also runs a private gut health clinic on Harley street.
The ‘Feel Sunny Inside’ menu introduces live culture yogurt to every breakfast menu and LA Brewery Kombucha into ten restaurants, alongside existing fermented Kefir drinks which have been proven to contain 1 billion good bacteria in each serving - all to help get your gut feeling good.
Research shows that the functioning of gastrointestinal tract, involving digestion and absorption of foods, affects people's entire wellbeing. In fact, 70% of the body’s immune system lies within the gut, with gut microbiota contributing 99% of the genes in the body.
Dr Rossi said, “Over the past decade it has become clear that boosting the health of your gut is one of the most effective ways to enhance your overall health and wellbeing. I am so thrilled to be working with LEON towards our joint goal of translating the ground-breaking science into delicious and accessible food. I also see our partnership as an incredible opportunity to spread the word about gut health which I believe will make a true impact on the health of the Nation.”
The new gut health menu is based around pre and pro-biotics, including live cultures, plants and fibres:
LIVE CREAMY YOGHURT
This is probiotic, meaning it is filled with friendly bacteria that help the gut out.
MANGO & PASSIONFRUIT AND BLUEBERRY & ELDERFLOWER KEFIR SMOOTHIES
With more than a billion bacteria in every cup, this kefir is fermented with a unique fruity and tangy flavour.
THE VEGAN MEDITERRANEAN MEZZE SALAD (New from 9 August)
Sweet potato falafel and avocado hummus, with freshly roasted vegetables and Greek slaw. This mighty plant based box is packed with fibre.
ROSEMARY ROASTED RED PEPPER & SWEET POTATO VEG POT (New from 9 August)
Fibre-filled red peppers and sweet potatoes, roasted in-house every day with a scattering of fresh rosemary. Served on a red pepper hummus dip with prebiotic-filled chickpeas.
BANANA & CINNAMON PORRIDGE
These organic oats are a good source of fibre and the dates are tasty and hard-working thanks to their fructans (the better relative to fructose) which are prebiotic. This means they create growth of helpful microorganisms on our insides.
BLUEBERRY, HONEY & SEEDS PORRIDGE
Same organic oats, same good source of fibre. The seed mix and the blueberries are a winning anti-oxidant team on top.
BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN
The wholegrains of rice brings fibre, then there is the prebiotic power of the beans. It is a good gut cheering combination. And delicious, and vegan. A winner all round.
FALAFEL HOT BOX
This box boasts more than 20 plant based ingredients, so when served up on a bed of Italian brown rice it is a great source of fibre. The chickpeas, onion, garlic and cabbage offer prebiotic benefits too.
ORIGINAL SUPER SALAD
Since created in 2004 this salad has been offering up a good source of fibre. With over 15 plant based ingredients you can enjoy the taste in every mouthful, followed by the gut goodness.
SMOKED SALMON & EGG SALAD
A salad launched this Spring featuring sustainably-sourced smoked salmon and free-range poached eggs. It’s a good source of fibre with over 15 plant-based ingredients.
CRUSHED PEA SALAD
A small powerful pot of green fibre, topped with a toasted seeds full of prebiotics.
FAVA BEANS & ORGANIC DRIED MANGO
Small packs of flavour and fibre. Good on the go and for those bits in between whether elevenses or afternoon tea.
Leon also said t's not scared to use the P words (pre-biotics, pro-biotics and poo – yes, that one too) and will be producing inspirational and educational content over the coming months with the help of Dr Rossi’s expert knowledge, to offer plenty of information on gut health.