Activated charcoal has been trending for some time now, and many take it after being glutened, but does it actually work? Activated charcoal has its time and place, but after gluten exposure isn’t really one of them. It’s useful for binding toxins, but has not been shown to effectively bind gluten protein. While it won’t…
Recipes & Blog
5 Gut-Friendly Pantry Staples
Looking for gluten-free, gut-friendly staples to stock your pantry? Here are five great ones to start with! These are versatile, delicious, and ready to support your gut health. 1. Beans There are so many types of beans that you’re bound to find one you enjoy. As a staple in the gut-friendly pantry, beans are a…
What is small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is getting more press lately, but what is it exactly and why does it happen? In this article, you’ll get an overview of what SIBO is, how it’s tested for and treated, and a few reasons why it occurs. Setting the stage: Normally, most of our native gut bacteria live…
How to Choose a Quality, Gluten-Free Protein Powder
The protein powder aisle can seem to stretch for miles. The many claims and labels on containers can be mystifying and overwhelming. Although these products are not a necessary part of everyone’s diet, protein needs are higher in those with inflammatory conditions and gut damage. In my practice, I consistently find that people are struggling…
How to Fix a Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies are very common on a gluten-free diet regardless if you have celiac, gluten-sensitivity, or are gluten-free for another health reason. Depending on the vitamin or mineral and its specific roles, correcting a deficiency could support your… Digestive function Metabolism Thyroid Energy levels Bones Cognition and brain function Hormone production Immunity Tissue repair If…
Do food sensitivity blood tests work?
If you’ve been curious about food sensitivities, you’ve probably found many options while searching online. There’s everything from blood tests to hair and fingernail analysis to facial thermography. The most popular in recent years has been IgG blood tests. This is a test used commonly by functional medicine practitioners, and people are now able to…
Basic Chia Pudding
Recently I wrote about 15 ways to increase fiber on a gluten-free diet, and one of them was to snack on chia pudding. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and FIBER. You can throw them in smoothies or baked goods, or mix them together with a milk of choice to make chia…
Prebiotics for Gut Health
Prebiotics are just a fancy name for certain types of fiber that our gut microbes love to eat. The technical term for the way our microbes process these fibers is called fermentation. Note that prebiotics are not the same as probiotics, which refer to the live microorganisms that we ingest either via supplements or fermented…
15 Ways to Increase Fiber on a Gluten-Free Diet
Gluten-free diets are notoriously low in fiber. Many gluten-free products, especially packaged items such as crackers, breads, baked goods, and flours tend to be lower in fiber than their gluten-containing alternatives. Fiber feeds our gut microbes, who turn around to keep our gut lining healthy, balance our immune system, and decrease inflammation. Fiber also helps…
Gut-Friendly, Immuni-Tea
Is there anything better than cozying up to a cup of hot tea in winter? I view it as one of the most comforting things on a cold day, and it’s also a great opportunity to bring more herbs into our lives. In my opinion, herbs are one of the most underrated powerhouses for our…
Tips for Low Iron Levels (plus a high-iron recipe)
Celiacs, especially when newly diagnosed, are very prone to nutrient deficiencies due to how gluten causes damage to the small intestine (where nutrient absorption SHOULD occur). Iron is one of the most common. In fact, unexplained iron deficiency anemia is a major sign of celiac disease and often a clue that helps people get screened…