How You Eat Is Just as Important as What You Eat
When it comes to gut health, most people focus on what they eat — choosing the “right” foods, following the latest diet trend, or avoiding certain ingredients that cause bloating or discomfort.
But here’s something I see in clinic all the time: even when someone is eating all the right foods, they’re still bloated, gassy, or running to the toilet.
So many of my patients and members have been on a low FODMAP diet or avoided gluten for years and still feel no relief or very little.
Why?
Because how they eat matters just as much as what they eat. (This is what last month’s teachings inside the Tummy Rescue Hub was all about)
Your Body Isn’t a Machine — It’s more like a Chemistry Lab
When you rush through meals, eat while stressed, or scroll on your phone or continue working between bites, your body doesn’t register that it’s time to digest.
Your nervous system stays in “fight or flight” mode instead of “rest and digest.”
That means your digestive system is not getting ready for food. There is less stomach acid produced, which leads to lower pancreatic enzyme levels. Fewer digestive enzymes mean your food sits in your stomach longer and does not digest properly. All of this causes symptoms of excessive fullness, bloating, pain and gas.
So even if you’re eating a beautiful salad full of nutrients, your body might not actually be using them properly if you’re eating on the run or in a state of stress.
Let’s be honest, we are probably all guilty of eating like this these days.
Digestion Starts in the Mind (and Mouth)
Digestion doesn’t start in your stomach — it starts in your brain, and it’s called the cephalic phase of digestion.
The smell, sight, and even thought of food send signals to your gut to prepare your digestive system for the meal ahead.
When you slow down, you give your brain a head start. Smelling, looking, and even preparing your food will ensure the brain starts digestion by stimulating the release of saliva. Saliva contains the digestive enzyme amylase, which begins carbohydrate digestion. If you skip this “cephalic” phase of digestion, every other step in the digestive process will be reduced.
The act of chewing sufficiently is also incredibly important for a number of reasons: it stimulates more saliva, breaks down your food mechanically into smaller pieces making it more accessible to the enzymes, it redirects more blood to the digestive system and can prevent you from overeating.
Think of it as sending your gut a friendly “heads up — food incoming!” message.
Inside the Tummy Rescue Hub, members have access to handouts on at-home tests, exercises and quick-start protocols they can use to assess and strengthen their digestive system to ease the symptoms of poor digestive function.
Modern Life vs. Your Gut
Let’s be honest — most of us eat too fast & without even looking at our meal.
We eat in the car, at our desks, or while juggling emails and kids. Our brains never get the message that food has arrived, and our digestive system struggles to keep up.
This is why I often tell my clients: You can’t out-supplement or out-diet your way past poor eating habits. Mindful eating matters!!!
If your body isn’t in the right state to digest, even the best foods can make you feel awful.
Small Shifts, Big Results
I’ve seen countless people improve their bloating, energy, and bathroom habits simply by changing how they eat by at least 20%— before we even touch what’s on their plate.
So next time you sit down to eat, remember — your gut isn’t just digesting food, it’s digesting the experience.
When you eat with presence, calm, and awareness, you create the ideal environment for your gut to thrive.
If you’ve been doing “everything right” with your diet but still feel bloated or uncomfortable, don’t be discouraged.
Often, the missing piece isn’t another food to cut out — it’s slowing down and supporting your body’s natural rhythm.
Inside the Tummy Rescue Hub, I dive deeper into mindful eating practices and gut-healing tools to help you understand your unique digestive patterns and finally achieve lasting relief.
Because healing your gut isn’t just about what you eat — it’s about how you live, breathe, and nourish yourself.
Option #1 Book a consultation to explore a tailored approach to your gut health and start feeling better today, you can start with a FREE discovery call.
Option #2 Want to Dive Deeper?
Last month inside the Tummy Rescue Hub, we explored how the way you eat is just as important in detail—covering:
A deep-dive Masterclass
An easy-to-follow Cheat Sheet for understanding symptoms
A brand-new Recipe Book - 8 gut healing desserts- so you don’t feel deprived
Bust Anxiety with your Breath- included 6 exercises to get into “rest & digest”
If you're wondering how to finally resolve your gut symptoms without nights wasted googling for an answer, the Hub is the best place to get the clarity, support, and guidance you need.
👉 Click here to join the waitlist for the Tummy Rescue Hub and be the first to know when doors reopen!
Download my FREE E-book- 5 ways to reduce your bloating, pain & gas 👇👇👇
If you want 5 ways to reduce your bloating, pain, and gas, get my FREE e-book right now!
This guide is easy to understand, so that you can begin implementing changes today and
get relief as soon as possible.
Don’t suffer any longer!
A bit about me!
I am Danielle Elliott a qualified Naturopath and the owner of Tummy Rescue.
I have been helping kids & adults improve their health for over 16 years, with the last 11 years concentrating on helping patients with any kind of gut disorder. I began focussing on everything gut related after my husband was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. And lucky I did……as my husband and both our kids have Coeliac Disease and my daughter has a dairy allergy.
So…. I am well and truly where I am meant to be!
I love being able to help people to soothe and calm their symptoms, investigate the causes and support and improve their gut function.
I also get to write educational pieces to train practitioners and am often interviewed for podcasts and summits, which is another really rewarding part of my work. I love educating people (this is something I do in every consult), because I do believe knowledge is power. It gives you the tools to make the changes you need to!
So, when you opt-in to my E-book, you are beginning on a journey of learning and discovery, of how you can reduce your symptoms of bloating, gas & pain and improve your gut health.
I would be honoured to help you along the way.
Danielle xoxo