GOOD GUT

Have you heard the terms, leaky gut, or food intolerance?? Well, I had heard it many times associated with an ad for a supplement or powder to try. I am a naturalist in that I want to eat food as they grow in nature not as it is made in a factory. As I aged and had symptoms that could not be explained, I begin to look into the science of gut health.

DEFINING THE WORDS

Food allergy is when small amounts of a trigger food produce symptoms some of which can be life-threatening. (Swelling of throat, breathing problems)

Food intolerance happens when the trigger food affects your digestive systems, such as bloating the abdomen and pain but not limited to diarrhea and constipation as well.

THE WHYs

As we age digestive enzymes decrease thus creating an environment that does not adequately break down our food particles for proper digestion and absorption. Combine fewer enzymes with eating too quickly in that we do not chew every bite to a cake batter consistency and we have set up an environment of poor digestion.

When our food does not break down properly “undigested” food passes from the small bowel into our colons where this big chunky food that is not properly broken down begins to decay, producing gas, bloating, and pain. This will also lead to constipation or diarrhea and throw the bacteria balance of your gut out of whack.

The example I think of is a smoothie made in a blender that leaves big chunks of spinach and fruit, vs a smoothie made when all ingredients are blended to a smooth consistency easy to drink.

THE WHATS

A few of the symptoms of bad gut are as follows: thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, irritable bowel, diarrhea/constipation, heartburn, bloating, and insomnia. As an x-ray tech, I have seen countless patients (adults and children) coming in with a chief complaint of stomach issues. Imaging and lab work show nothing is wrong and they are sent home with pills that are little more than a band-aid to symptoms that will continue to plague them until they change the root of the problem. The above symptoms are not due to food allergy but could be a food intolerance.

THE HEALING

Easy remedies to a good gut are to slow down eating, set your fork down between bites, chew each bite of food thoroughly, and eat smaller meals. It is best to stop eating when you are satisfied. Psychology has proven to satisfy a craving you need 3 bites, any more than that and you are eating from a habit of mindless eating.

The big change will come when you discover what foods are intolerant to you. This is as individual as your fingerprint, so it is best to have a food intolerance test. Once my test came back, I had food intolerances to many of the foods I ate. I thought because they were healthy foods, I was good. I have an intolerance to chicken, dairy, tomatoes, and gluten in wheat and white bread.

I have tried many healthy eating plans but the one that works for me Whole 30. In my first strict month (no cheating) on Whole 30, I lost only 4lbs BUT I lost 5” off my belly! I almost didn’t do the measurements because who wants to know those numbers!

I knew I was on to something. The next month I lost another 9lbs and inch. Today I have kept off 17lbs, fit in 2 dress sizes smaller, and have far fewer gut issues as I occasionally eat off-plan.

Through trial and error, I know for me dairy causes bloating, gas, and abdomen pain. If I mix dairy with sugar and gluten and I am going to have major issues. I don’t like this but I know what it takes to feel better so it becomes easier to stick to the plan.

Food is very emotional for people and they can get downright vicious about losing a certain food group, especially sugar and alcohol. I used two books that help me follow what I needed to give up to feel better; DAY BY DAY Whole 30 and the 40 Day Sugar Fast. One of my blogs coming up is how I will take my passion for cooking good food and not using dairy, gluten, or sugar. My family will admit they are shocked at the recipes I have tweaked and become family favorites.

FINAL THOUGHT

In addition to eating a healthy plan that works for my body, I also take a B complex, probiotic, and multi- herbal supplement. At night I take magnesium, Vit D, and Melatonin.

Each day I stretch through my whole body, incorporating spinal twists to get the gut a churning. I breathe deep and talk myself down when I just want to binge eat to find out what is the problem.

When I am craving energy, I just sit quietly and let my brain have a few moments to rest and reset.

When I want something sweet, I get up and do something or try a handful of berries, when I want something crunchy or salty, I eat a few nuts.

Learning to use food as fuel and eat according to how my gut performs the best has been hard and yet easier than the symptoms of a bad gut.

Yoga Mom Kimberly

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