Morning friends – hope you’re well and thriving this week!
Got some fresh thoughts and insights for you today on fibre, celebrity junk food promotion and the health benefits of broccoli sprouts – let’s get into it.
Broccoli vs Broccoli Sprouts – Is There a Winner?
We all know broccoli is good for us (Mum was right). Packed with fibre, vitamins C & K, and antioxidants – it’s a no-brainer to get into your vegetable rotation
But here’s where it gets interesting: broccoli sprouts. These tiny, 3-5 day old seedlings pack another level of punch and to be honest, are one of the best foods you can get into your diet for nutrient density and power.
I came across their benefits way back in 2020 and I've been intrigued with them ever since.
The standout compound in broccoli sprouts is sulforaphane – a potent compound linked to everything from detoxification and reduced cancer risk, to reducing inflammation and even supporting brain health.
Broccoli sprouts can have up to 100x more sulforaphane than mature broccoli - which is nuts considering how small they are.
Don’t ditch the broccoli though – we still want the fibre and micronutrients – but adding sprouts to salads, smoothies, or bowls is the way to go.
You can also buy growing kits online to grow them at home, so it brings an element of fun for you and your family (particularly if you have small kids).
The celebrity obsession with promoting junk foods
Celebrities launching junk foods or partnering with junk food brands seems to be the new thing these days.
But given that many of these guys don't need the money, and probably would want to see the health of the youth improve...why do they actually do this?
Let’s break down a few recent offenders:
- Kim Kardashian just partnered a cookie brand – pushing ultra-processed snacks all while selling shapewear and skincare on the side. Because apparently, nothing says wellness like sugar-laden cookies, of course (she's also previously endorsed Beyond Meat)
- KSI & Logan Paul are now behind Lunchly – a so-called “healthier” version of Lunchables. But when you scratch the surface, it's still the same heavily processed garbage with a shiny marketing spin.
- And then there’s the Kelce brothers, hyping up a junk cereal packed with sugar and refined carbs, and calling it the 'Kelce Mix'. The irony of top-level athletes promoting a food that they themselves wouldn't even go near
I get it – these products make a ton of money.
But just because a celebrity smiles next to it doesn’t make it good or worthwhile – and certainly doesn't make it healthy.
My view is this: if a product needs a celebrity face to sell it, it probably doesn’t have much going for it nutritionally.
Is Fibre the New Protein?
I recently saw a tweet from a nutritionist saying that 'fibre is the new protein'.
Protein has had the spotlight for years – and rightly so, because it’s essential for muscle, hormones, enzymes, and a ton more.
But even though fibre is stepping into the spotlight (deservedly), messaging like this doesn't help, as we don't want people to think it's either one or the other.
We want both.
When it comes to fibre, yes - most people (95% of us really) don’t hit their fibre targets.
And this stuff is gold dust for your gut, blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation and more.
Fibre isn’t just about “keeping things moving” – it’s linked to longevity, metabolic health, immune function, and even mental wellbeing.
We have a colony of bacteria in our gut that help keep us healthy. We should think of fibre as fuel for these gut microbes – and a happy gut invariably means a happy you.
And the reality is – it's only found in plants!
It's perhaps one of the benefits of plant protein that shouldn't be overlooked in the plant vs animal protein conversation.
So when it comes to the two of them, protein still matters – and it shouldn't be one or the other.
But fibre? It's definitely the underrated hero we all need more of.
Have a great week ahead friends – make it a fruitful one.
Stay healthy,
Jeff