Do trendy health foods somehow make their way into your shopping cart—then secretly make you bloated, swollen—and now you are confused as to why? Have you experienced an attack of belly pain, a “flare”—seemingly out of nowhere?
The internet is a seductive siren. Consequently, clever marketing can target a vulnerable community, such as those with gut issues. And, even those with good intentions may push an idea that may serve some, but not all.
Talking About Flares & Flare-ups
Have you tried everything, and feel nothing is working? For example, you are following a diverticulitis diet; taking digestive enzymes and Happy Gut Cleanse. Last week, you even drove past the pastry shop without stopping, yet you still experience flares.
Next, let’s talk about how you may have unknowingly added a flare-trigger to your diet, albeit a trendy health food which is promoted to heal, not hurt.
Unfortunately, diet experimentation is full of land mines. I made many mistakes when healing, as I had no guide. Creating daily diet menus and plans that fit your lifestyle is one of my favorite parts of coaching calls, and my clients love that, too. I offer personal gut health sessions and look forward to meeting you speeding your healing. Healing is easier with a step-by-step plan created specifically for you. Start by scheduling 1/2 hour with me, and also get my free gut fix formula video series.
Recovering from a recent and don’t understand why? first, check below and discontinue these trendy health foods below to save unnecessary pain and suffering. Next, you’ll also learn about delicious substitutes you can bring into your diet for flare-free gut health.
7 Trendy Health Foods that May Cause Gut Flares
1. High Fiber: High fiber foods such as raw food like salad, flax, and chia make constipation worse. Constipation is a cause of diverticulitis. Jumping on board with chia pudding after seeing a wellness influencer posting about attaining a flat tummy is tempting. These foods are constipating, and can enlarge and adhere to diverticulitis pockets which can lead to a flare.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar can cause bloat, acid reflux and even create Candida, a yeast overgrowth. They symptoms of candida include out of control sugar cravings. You don’t need another problem.
3. Nuts and seeds: I find it unbelievable that my clients’ practitioners are still saying that whole nuts and seeds won’t trigger a flare. Nuts and seeds are coated by nature with an efficient protective skin which only bursts open when the nut or seed is sprouted. Designed by nature, Nuts and seeds were meant as food for birds, to be eliminated whole, and then to grow into trees. however, f you like the taste of nuts, try creamy almond butter. Peanut butter is best avoided, as it is acidic.
4. Whole grains: Whole wheat, brown rice, wild rice and bran are in the high fiber category and are irritating and inflammatory. Choose digestible grains such as white rice. And, we recommend practicing food combining for optimal digestion. That means eating your carbohydrates separately from proteins. Download the Food Combining Chart for details.
5. Beans: A combination of proteins and carbohydrates, beans can be gassy and indigestible. Avoid beans and foods such as hummus, lentils and refried beans which are popular health food recipes.
6. Yogurt: Ever the super popular health food, cow yogurt can be inflammatory and constipating. Instead, look for goat products: goat kiefer, goat yogurt, and goat cheese.
7. Health Food Sodas: Poppi’s & Kombucha irritate the gut as carbonation & bubbles are inflammatory. Many brands of Kombucha have sugar—some as much as Coca-Cola! Health food sodas are the brainchild of industries that values the bottom line over your health.
If you are wondering when you can add new foods safely into your diet, schedule a coaching call with me. A one-on-one consult is the optimal place to dive in to your issue, and find solutions. My goal is get you on a productive path during your first cal. And friends, although you may be saying goodbye to foods that do not serve your gut health, I have good news for you, in the next section. These foods are helpful for flare prevention.
7 Gut-Friendly Substitues for Trendy Health Foods
1. Wheat: Substitute all wheat products which are hard on the gut such as bread, baked goods, and pasta for breads, pastas, tortillas, flours and pancake mixes made from other ingredients. Substitute with cassava, tapioca, potato flour, coconut flour, or almond flour.
2. Yogurt: Anything from a goat can be replaced by goat products” goat yogurt, goat cheese, goat milk and goat kiefer.
3. Spices/Herbs: Fresh and dried herbs, lemon and ginger replace black pepper, onion, and garlic.
4. CocoAminos: Created entirely from coconuts without sugar. These can replaces highly processed condiments like mustard, salad dressing, or ketchup.
5. Monk fruit: best sugar replacement. Monk fruit has zero aftertaste and is zero glycemic.
6. Coffee: Low acid coffee is a delicious replacement for coffee. However, if you have recently healed from a flare, choose green tea or matcha for the first 30-45 days. Then, enjoy low acid coffee after a meal, never on an empty stomach.
7. Alcohol: When you are 90 days flare-free, and your gut is stable, replace any alcoholic beverage with mezcal, tequila or vodka—least damaging to the gut and metabolism.
What People Say About Julia’s Private Gut Health Sessions
Important Supplements for Gut Health
- Remember to take Enzyme Energy after meals and, Happy Gut Cleanse morning and night.
- Spring is also a fabulous time for a parasite cleanse. You do not need a binder with Bugs Be Gone, as you can pair it with Happy Gut Cleanse.
- Have you tried my Sugar Flush yet? I just heard from a client who has lost 12 pounds and completely balanced her A1C levels! Nothing makes me happier than news like that.
- Below is Nicole’s gift (Facebook Group Moderator) for you–a delicious pancake recipe. This recipe is no-guilt, no wheat, and no sugar.
Coconut Flour Pancake Recipe with Lemon Sauce
These pancakes are the ultimate breakfast and this version, made with coconut flour, hits the “healthy gut” spot. Pile them up and spoon over homemade lemon drizzle.
Ingredients for Coconut Flour Pancakes
2 large eggs
3 1/2 fluid oz coconut milk
4 fluid ounces cold water
1 TSP vanilla extract
1 TBS Purisure organic monk fruit
1 3/4 oz coconut flour
1 TSP baking soda
1 TSP coconut oil
Salt to taste
For additional topping–4 TBS crème fraîche (optional)
Lemon Drizzle Ingredients
Finely grated lemon zest
juice of 1 unwaxed lemon
2 TSP rice malt syrup
Instructions for Wheat-Free Pancakes
Crack eggs into a bowl, then add coconut milk, water, vanilla, monk fruit sweetener, flour and baking soda. Season with a pinch of salt. Whisk to a smooth batter, then leave to rest for a moment.
Lemon Drizzle
Meanwhile, mix the lemon zest, juice, and rice malt syrup together in small bowl.
Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Pour in a tablespoon of the batter, leave to settle for a moment, then add more tablespoons, allowing a little space between each one. Fry for 2 minutes, or until the bottom of each pancake is light brown and the sides are set.
Flip over the pancakes using a spatula and cook for 2 additional minutes.
Transfer the pancakes to a warm serving plate. Cook remaining pancakes in same way. If using, top pancakes with a tablespoon of crème fraîche, and spoon atop lemon drizzle.
Resources for Free to Get Started with Acquiring Gut Health
I contend that acquiring gut health need not break the bank; and therefore I offer free resources to include live video, support group, plus life-changing blogs and newsletters.
If your body chemistry out of whack, imbalanced, or hurting, it can feel impossible to ask for help. Perhaps, you have come to believe that you do not deserve support. Yes, you do. In case you need solid, experienced gut information, tune to my free ASK JULIA TikTok and YouTube live videos Sundays at 4 pm PST—plus join the love and compassion at our Facebook Group. We contend that achieving gut-health need not be a financial decision! Therefore, The Happy Gut Tribe Facebook page, my live ASK JULIA videos, plus my power-packed with life-changing blogs are all free. Plus, watch for our exciting new offerings and gifts—because gut health should not break the bank.
Sending you all a big hug and healing love,
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