What the Hell Did I Eat? How “Healthy” Foods Can Mess You Up
(And How to Actually Figure It Out Without Losing Your Mind)
You ever eat something “healthy” and feel awful about an hour later?
Welcome to the wildly misunderstood world of inflammatory foods and food sensitivities! This is the world where tomatoes might cause a rash, oats might bloat you and your doctor still tells you your labs are “normal.”
I touched on this on my latest podcast episode “Why Is My Gut Always Messed Up?” of the Untamed and Unfiltered Wellness podcast, but this topic needs more space. The reality is, a lot of people are walking around with symptoms they think are “normal” when in reality, their food is quietly making them sick.
Look, it took me 20 years to figure out what my gut issues were. Let me save you some time.
Let’s break it down.
“Healthy” Doesn’t Mean “Right for You”
Kale, oats, lentils, almonds are all healthy foods, but depending on your gut bacteria, stomach acid, hormone state and nervous system, they might be the wrong healthy foods for your body right now.
For example:
That oatmeal you eat for breakfast? Could be spiking your blood sugar like a cupcake.
Tomatoes? Packed with antioxidants and naturally high in histamine.
Almonds? Great for some, bloating hell for others with gallbladder or enzyme issues.
Green smoothies? If you're already cold, anxious and under-eating protein they’re making it worse.
Just because it works for someone else, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.
What the Research Actually Says
Your gut bacteria affect how you digest food, regulate inflammation and even process nutrients. The landmark study by Zeevi et al. (2015) showed that two people can eat the same meal and have completely different blood sugar responses depending on their microbiome.
And food sensitivities? They’re more than bloating. They show up as:
Headaches
Brain fog
Joint pain
Mood swings
Skin breakouts
Chronic fatigue
Cravings that come out of nowhere
This is why those elimination diets or “just avoid gluten and dairy” advice don’t go far enough. They’re like slapping duct tape on a leaky pipe…it might hold, but you’re not actually fixing the problem.
So What Do You Do?
First: stop guessing!
Second: start tracking.
I created the 90-Day Food & Symptom Journal for this exact reason. It’s not about obsessing over calories or cutting out foods from your life. It’s about noticing patterns when the bloating hits or the headache starts, what you ate before your energy tanked and which meals help you feel grounded instead of gassy and hangry.
Inside, you’ll find:
Daily logs to track food, mood, digestion, sleep, and skin reactions
Space to note supplements, poop habits, and yes even the weird stuff
No calorie tracking. No shame. Just clarity.
This is how we figure out if eggs are triggering your eczema… or if your 3PM granola bar is setting you up to feel hangry at 7PM and then you end up eating anything you can find.
➡️ Grab the Food Symptom Journal here
TL;DR: It’s Not Just What You Eat, It’s How Your Body Handles It
If you’ve been talked into thinking your food reactions are imaginary, let me be the first to say:
You’re not crazy.
Your body is inflamed.
And you deserve real answers.
Your gut is trying to talk to you, the journal helps you translate it.
And if you haven’t yet, go listen to “Why Is My Gut Always Messed Up?” on the podcast. It’s a straight-shooting deep dive into your microbiome, your brain and stress.
Question for You:
What’s one “healthy” food you suspect might actually be wrecking your day? Drop it in the comments or hit reply. I’ll tell you how to track it like a pro.
Ready to calm your gut without losing your mind?
I created a no-BS, real-life Gut Reset Checklist, the same one I use with clients when bloating, fog and digestive drama hit. It’s available now for paid subscribers only.
Upgrade here and get instant access.