Would you like to have more energy, glowing skin and a flatter belly? Then you need to try fermented foods! I struggled for years trying to get a flat stomach and reduce bloating – sometimes it even looked like I was 3 months pregnant ☺ It wasn’t until I discovered fermented foods that I was able to heal my digestion and get a flat belly after all.
This Flat Belly Tomato Chickpea Salad is one of my go-to lunches when I’m feeling a bit tired or stressed. It is packed with plant-based protein, minerals and natural probiotics thanks to the addition of sauerkraut. It is also high in vitamin K2, an important nutrient to beat inflammation and keep your bones & teeth healthy and strong.
Flat Belly Tomato Chickpea Salad
SERVES: 1 person
EQUIPMENT: serving bowl
INGREDIENTS:
4 large handfuls of mixed greens (I used arugula, mustard greens and spring mix)
½ small cucumber
1 large Heirloom tomato (I used Coeur de boeuf variety)
1 small handful of fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, dill…)
½ cup of cooked chickpeas (or lentils, black beans…)
¼ cup of sauerkraut
DIRECTIONS:
- Cut your cucumber and tomato into smaller pieces.
- Mix in the leafy greens and fresh herbs.
- Stir in your chickpeas and sauerkraut.
- You can keep it really simple and just add some avocado or extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper to taste – or you can serve this salad with this Basil Vinaigrette. It combines really well with the sauerkraut!
- I also crumbled some ALL GOOD Tortilla Chips on top for extra flavor and crunch. Feel free to leave these out or to replace them with your favorite nuts or seeds.
JULIE’S TIPS & TRICKS:
- Still feeling hungry? I love adding some cooked quinoa to this salad for extra protein! •
- No time to make your own sauerkraut? Most health food stores carry organic fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or kim chi – just make sure the product doesn’t have any nasty additives like refined sugar or unnatural preservatives like sodium bisulfite. High quality sauerkraut should only contain 3 simple ingredients: organic cabbage, water and sea salt.
- About the chickpeas: you can buy these pre-cooked or you can prepare them yourselves. Make sure to soak your chickpeas overnight and then cook them until they are soft enough to your taste. I always add a piece of kombu seaweed to the boiling water because it makes the chickpeas easier to digest. After cooking them, throw away the kombu seaweed and rinse the chickpeas well.
Now I would love to hear from you! Have you ever felt bloated and tried fermented foods to heal your digestion? What’s your secret to a flat belly? Let me know by leaving a comment down below.
