The Circadian Loaf: A high-protein, plant-based bread for your gut microbes, mitochondria and melatonin

🌱 Made with 11 plant-origin ingredients to support microbiome diversity and metabolic resilience

Inspired by the creative recipe shared by @thyme_4_cooking, this isn’t just another gluten-free bread. The Circadian Loafis a plant-forward, protein-rich Mediterranean-style bake, clinically restructured for patients and practitioners who understand that food is a functional input for circadian health, gut–brain signalling, and overnight repair.

This loaf is your new clinical ally: 100% gluten-free, high in complete proteins, and packed with prebiotics, polyphenols, and mitochondria-safe fats—designed with the gut–sleep axis in mind.

🌟 Why This Bread Matters — Nutritional Science Meets Functional Application:

• Lentils (200g, soaked)→ Plant protein, resistant starch, and polyphenols for SCFA production and peripheral clock gene expression.

• 4 Eggs→ Choline, B12 and full amino acid profile to support gut repair and REM sleep.

• Greek Yoghurt (2 tbsp)→ Probiotic cultures and casein peptides to stabilise post-meal insulin response.

• Vegan Collagen (40g)→ Supports mucosal healing, glycine status, and tissue resilience.

• Prebiotic Fibre (50g, e.g. Myota Gut Booster)→ Fuels SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g. Faecalibacterium, Roseburia) and regulates immune tone.

• Sun-dried Tomatoes + Kalamata Olives (7–8 each)→ Antioxidants (lycopene, oleuropein), monounsaturated fats for anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial support.

• Fresh Parsley (2 tbsp)→ Apigenin-rich herb shown to support GABA signalling and sleep depth.

• Olive Oil (1 tbsp)→ Oleic acid supports barrier integrity and circadian synchronisation.

• Cheese (50g goat’s cheese or vegan alternative)→ Nutritional yeast can be used for added B-vitamins and umami if dairy-free.

✅ Quick Ingredient Summary (Kitchen-Friendly List):

• 200g soaked lentils

• 4 eggs

• 2 tbsp Greek or coconut yoghurt

• 40g vegan collagen powder

• 50g prebiotic fibre (e.g. Myota Gut Booster)

• 50g grated goat’s cheese or vegan cheese

• 7–8 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 7–8 kalamata olives, chopped

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• ½ tsp sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tsp aluminium-free baking powder

🧁 Method Summary:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F). Line a loaf tin.

2. Blend lentils, eggs, yoghurt, collagen, and fibre until smooth.

3. Stir in olives, tomatoes, cheese, parsley, olive oil, salt, pepper, and baking powder.

4. Transfer to tin and smooth the top.

5. Bake 55–60 min. Cool fully before slicing.

🍽️ Clinical Serving Idea

Serve a slice of The Circadian Loaf with wild greens (rocket, dandelion), pumpkin seed pesto, and a drizzle of flax oil for an evening meal that ticks all the metabolic boxes: anti-inflammatory, protein-stabilised, sleep-inducing, and gut-microbiota-approved.