Recently scientists have created tiny cameras which fit inside veggie capsules that people swallow to see how the digestive tract works. One study took two groups and gave one of the groups homemade noodles made from scratch with homemade vegetable broth poured over it and water to drink. The other group received store-bought noodles with a flavor packet that required boiling water to mix together with a blue sports drink as the beverage. Then they swallowed the camera to see how each group digested the foods that they were given. Hours later in the group that had been given the store-bought noodle mix, the camera could still see the teeth marks in the noodles indicating that the noodles were not being properly digested. Substances in the store-bought processed noodles were not breaking down for digestion to take place! The blue dye in the sports drink had also colored the noodles blue. Blue dye is made from petroleum which our bodies cannot digest. Gross. Now, in the group which took the homemade noodles, during the same digestion time frame looked like white fluff in the digestive tract like it should. The digestive enzymes that the body produces were able to break it down for proper digestion and absorption. The other mixture was not able to be broken down by enzymes. This is just one food example, but, how many of us are eating food-like substances that the body does not recognize therefore making it impossible for our bodies to digest? So, what’s the problem? The problem is that the body does not receive any vitamins and minerals when we eat processed food. Ultimately, we are an overfed but undernourished society. Our bodies are riddled with inflammation, aches, and pains, we go through our days experiencing “Brain Fog” and we have no energy.

So how do we combat this? How can we fight back and keep our bodies and our minds operating in tip-top condition? One thing you can do (shameless plug coming) is hire me as your Nutritional and Epigenetics coach – or someone else. The truth is, each one of us needs a coach at some point in his or her life. It is so easy to get off track in life and it truly happens to all of us at some point. It’s not a weakness to admit that we need someone in our corner rooting for us, to help us dig deep and find our inner samurai, even if it is just for accountability. Understanding our mindset’s and our beliefs around food, such as if you have the cookie jar gene, for example, can help us find success and end our struggles around nutrition and living within our authenticity. Even if you are not sold on seeking the help of an Epigenetic or Nutrition Coach, spend some time educating yourself about how food is made and how what we eat can affect you. We live in a world full of information at our fingertips. Some of that information was paid for by large companies trying to sell you something so be aware of who funded the information and what the intentions are. And finally, keeping it simple, just eat real food. If it was created in a lab to sit on a shelf for years, it is not real food. If you feel like you need help with changing or sticking to a more consistently rewarding diet, or perhaps you need someone in your corner helping you stay accountable to yourself, reach out. I have been there and I understand. I would love to help you find your inner Rock Star!