Dairy & Gut Health
Being on my 5-week social-media cleanse, I have SO much more time to be present with my meals and make new things. I have a subscription to Chef’s Plate which delivers new recipes along with the ingredients to my door every week.
In aiming to gain a few pounds, I am consuming more dairy - cheese - than normal. About a portion of cheese every other day or so.
What I am noticing is - more mucus. I am feeling more congested, and more phlegmy. So, I had to write a couple of reminders for you on Dairy.
The effects that dairy has on our body are clogging. From clogging the pores in our face to clogging our intestines and lymphatic systems, dairy adds a heaviness. This heaviness is inflammatory and perceived by the body as a stressor.
The body has to use up a little more cellular energy and digestive enzymes to break down, digest, water down, unclog, and clear the inflammatory mucus that is the byproduct of dairy consumption.
This excess cheese makes me extra mindful to keep my stomach acid high, consume a lot of pre and probiotic foods, and stay on my gut health regimen so I don’t tilt the scales in the favour of inflammation and bloating.
As many of you know, my advice is never to cut out X or Y food. Rather, depending on the symptom you are experiencing, I recommend supporting the body.
Digestion is one of many ways our body communicates with us. Avoiding foods is simply a bandaid on the issue, not to mention inconvenient and a little frustrating.
Some general quick tips to improve your digestive function:
Rest for 5-10 minutes before and after meals. Read more in this post.
Deep breaths to allow the body to get into a Rest and Digest vs. Fight or Flight
Optimizing gut environment with a large intake of Alkaline foods.
If you drink a lot of water throughout the day, this may be washing out your pH levels. If this is you, consider increasing hydrating with fresh-pressed fruit & vegetable juices that contain enzymes and probiotics.
Consider the idea that your digestive system may be overall sluggish due to an energetic burnout. Listen more in this YouTube video: Losing Weight, Fat Burning, And Organ Function
In an ideal world, we would function like we are supposed to primarily. Our stress levels would cycle with the Circadian Rhythm and for women the Infradian Rhythm. We would be able to digest all types of foods, free of intolerances, bloating, and sensitivities. We would be hydrated to optimal levels of water and salt, and our stomach acid would be optimally high that it could digest and break down all foods free of acid reflux and gas.
From someone who has dealt with just about every digestive issue, tried all supplements, cleanses, diets, and herbs, I realize there is so much more to a highly functional digestive system free of bloating and insensitivities than just cutting out X food, and adding in Y food. I hope my quick tips help and if you have a more in-depth question, or story, please feel free to reach out to me. I love to hear from you.
Thank you,
Asma
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Asma Kassam, BHK, CSNA, CFST
Kinesiologist, Fitness & Mobility coach, Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor, Fascial Stretch Therapist, and Women’s Health Advocate
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