Healthy soils leads to nutrition foods

Healthy soils, nutritious food, healthy people was the key theme of a workshop hosted by the Baw Baw Food Movement recently.

The free event, held at the Drouin Country Club was well attended by a large enthusiastic group of people keen to hear how nutritious food improves our gut health.

Soil and nutrition experts discussed links between healthy soils, healthy plants and healthy people.

Much has been said about many foods we are eating that are not doing us much good.

Common diseases such as diabetes, obesity and many cancers are considered diet related illnesses.

More recently mental health illnesses have been linked to modern western diets with our high consumption of sugary drinks, processed foods, and junk food commonly singled out as culprits.

But do we really understand why are these foods bad for us and what makes “good food” good?

Guest speaker Maarten Strapper sent a clear message - “consumers need to support farmers to grow food well, because we eat it.”

A former CSIRO soil scientist, he discussed the science of biological farming and the function of healthy soils to grow healthy plants for healthy people.

Dr Stapper is a farming systems agronomist who spoke passionately about helping farmers improve their profitability by harnessing the power of natural healthy soil processes.

The audience particularly enjoyed his respect for nature. “In nature, there is no waste. Everything exists for a purpose.”

Nutritionist and dietician Marieke Rodenstein talked about the health of the gut in achieving overall health and preventing modern diseases.

Marieke’s tips for improving gut health included:

Step one: Restore the healthy balance of gut bacteria.

Reduce pathogenic bacteria - sugar and refined carbohydrates and preservatives Add garlic - raw wherever possible Add antimicrobial foods - pumpkin seeds, apple cider vinegar

Add fermented food yoghurt, kefir

Add prebiotic foods - asparagus, Brussels grouts, cauliflower, broccoli, lentils, dark chocolate Avoid antibiotic products – soaps Step two: Restore and maintain the health of your gut wall Consume bone broth Consume vitamin A, D and zinc - butter, chicken, cod liver oil, liver, pumpkin seeds

Avoid inflammatory foods - vegetable oils, processed foods, sugar

Reduce stress, avoid gluten and get outside into nature!

Marieke and Maarten joined a panel of local farmers and healthcare professionals to answer questions and continue the discussion.

This event was the first in a series of community conversations about food presented by the Baw Baw Food Movement – a local network of community organizations and individuals with interests ranging from agriculture and food production through to community health who have an interest in growing and eating healthy food. - sauerkraut, miso,