Some years ago, my gut and I had a serious falling out. After a brutal bout of food poisoning, I found myself struggling to eat foods I once loved. I’d double over in pain most days, desperate for a reprieve. For months I struggled, and the symptoms didn’t disappear. It wasn’t long before I was diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus, and around the same time, I discovered I had SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). Talk about ‘no half measures’! In this opinion editorial, culinary author Chantal Lascaris, shares her personal health journey – how listening to her body changed her health.
Rethinking Food: From Restriction to Reinvention
I took the diagnosis badly – a complete derailment; an upset in my work routine; a social limitation that would restrict me and ruin my quality of life forever. Or so I thought, at the time.
For someone who loves to eat, and to cook, I basically had to rethink everything I knew about food and gut health. My usual go-to ingredients—garlic, onion, tomatoes—suddenly became the villains of my diet.
And fermented food? Don’t even get me started: these PH buddies that are unthinkably good for you are not for me! Any foods that had the slightest whiff of ‘ferment’ were the new frenemies of my fridge. What was good for others, was clearly not good for me.
A happy gut is a happy life
Through trial and error, tons of research, and a whole lot of pernickety eating, I found my gut was not happy – and possibly voice noting me all this time. She clearly had things to say, and I had no choice but to listen.
Listening to what your body says about the food you are eating
When I started this journey, I quickly realized that gut health isn’t lapping up every hashtag or fad to feel better, nor is it about avoiding certain foods like the plague. It’s about listening: hearing what your gut is saying, and finding what works uniquely for you.
Here’s what I know: No two guts are the same. We’re all born with sterile guts, which is an equal playing field – but over time, we develop a diverse and distinct brew of bacterial species, unique to each of us. This changes our chemistry dramatically. One woman’s kimchi could be another woman’s toxic boss in the digestive system. Our bodies are that different! And we need to wake up to the fact.
There are a trillion reasons to trust your gut – literally
In a study by Loma Linda University Health, the GI tract (gastrointestinal) is revered as the body’s hype squad of human connection – all the ‘feels’ sit here. Trillions of microbiota line the GI tract and help produce a barrier that assists with the absorption of nutrients, defends against infections, and helps with immune tolerance.
In retrospect, your gut calls the shots, your brain writes the memo. You should imagine these organs as longtimeuniversity mates. They’re biologically, historically and cosmically connected – blue toothing each other constantly with signals of love, joy, sadness, worry, cravings and any red flag you can think of. Why would you mess that up? Thing is, we do.
Evidence suggests that imbalances in the gut microbiota can disrupt this communication, potentially leading to a bestie-breakup – meaning, mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Keeping things good between the gut and the brain is a priority goal. No question.
Figuring out which food worked for me and which didn’t
The first conversation I had with my gut was ‘deep and meaningful’ about FODMAPS and good carbs. We figured out which foods did wonders for me, and which ones made me sick. I discovered a whole new world of eating, by consciously choosing what my body wanted first, not what everyone told me to pick.
Then came the how of my food choices: how to preserve them, prepare them and consume them. Turns out, this kind of conscious living had a whole name of its own: the Mediterranean Diet. Not so much a way of eating, but a way of living your life in the slow food zone; taking time to know your food, relax with your meals and stretch out your lunchtimes. And it worked.
This sustainable and nourishing approach to food seemed to please my gut immensely (and my taste buds).
This is how I Reset my Wellness Outcomes
Some of these game changers for me, included:
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Prioritizing Fresh, Whole Foods
I shifted my focus to seasonal, unprocessed ingredients—olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish, and whole grains. Cooking from scratch became second nature, allowing me to control what goes into my meals and ensure they’re as gut-friendly as possible.
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Making Meals an Experience, Not Just Fuel
I stopped rushing through meals and started savoring them. Eating socially and mindfully not only improved my digestion but also deepened my appreciation for food – and my conversation around the table.
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Moving my Body More, Stressing Less
Gut health isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s also about lifestyle. To beat the stress, which disrupts the brain axis, I had to move my body. Instead of forcing myself into rigid exercise routines, I embraced a more natural approach. Walking more, spending time outside, helped to reduce stress, playing a major role in my gut’s recovery.
Rethinking food in my recipes
While my cookbooks aren’t strictly FODMAP or SIBO-focused, they do encourage a healthy way of going about your meal choices. I always emphasize fresh, wholesome ingredients that can be adapted to different dietary needs – so you can make your meal as unique to your body as you like. My All Sorts of Healthy Dishes, The Mediterranean Way and All Sorts of Tapas books, in particular, celebrate the Mediterranean way of eating, proving that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive.
The bottom line
If there’s one piece of advice I’d share with anyone struggling with gut issues, it’s this: listen to your body. Your gut is your gut, nobody else’s. Respect it, love it, listen to it. If something feels off, pay attention. In the end, good health (like good food) is all about balance, enjoyment, and tuning in to the signals.
When you decide to dial down the noise and the fads that dictate your ‘best life yet’, and instead relearn how to trust your body, first – you’ll discover a lifelong friendship between body and brain, that had your back all along.
Read more about food and Chantal Lascaris here
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