I have a gut feeling you should read this.
Especially if you've been on the protein bandwagon. Or if you're a human being on this planet with a stomach.
Did I set out this week to lead with a picture of cereal and a Colon Blow reference?
No, of course not. But then, when I was doing my weekly links research (code for being able to surf the web for fun stuff, guilt-free), I started to notice a lot of chatter about fiber.
And the all the fiber talk made my ears perk up. (And my gut rumble a bit.)
Because the thing is, I’ve been pretty obsessed with my gut since the days those Colon Blow commercials originally aired (the 90s). I was in college at the time, and my diet was pretty much crap - dorm food, beer, diet Coke, and coffee … with the mainstay being about two bowls of cereal a day. (One giant one for breakfast and another for a snack.) It was disgusting but delicious, and I took great pride in my ability to make cereal creations with healthy and unhealthy varieties. (Cracklin Oat Bran with Lucky Charms, anyone?)
Yum, right?
I ate so much bran that my niece and nephews called me Aunt Cereal.
As you might have guessed, my gluten obsession gave me a pretty profound gluten sensitivity that’s stuck with me.
But back then, gluten wasn’t really talked about. It took a lot of years of trial and error, during which time I felt pretty crappy. (Obligatory pun.)
My gut hurt. My joints hurt. I had brain fog, and I didn’t feel like myself. I was also a little very crabby. Off the leash, as my cousin likes to say.
Years later, a naturopathic doctor told me I needed to heal my gut. She also taught me about the gut-brain connection and helped me pinpoint the foods that were the greatest offenders for me.
Today, my gut is so much better… but it didn’t happen overnight - it’s taken years.
And I now know that taking care of your gut is a lifelong thing. There is no quick fix.
I’ve come to realize that:
What we eat, how we handle stress, the way we live day to day, and how we sleep all contribute to our gut health and overall health.
At the end of the day, we need to pay more attention to the gut, because it’s the essential link to our overall mental and physical health.
My Alien team over at Perplexity agrees and gave me evidence to back it up, “The direct communication between the brain and gut via the vagus nerve, influencing mood, digestion, and overall health, is well-documented by Harvard Medical School and the Cleveland Clinic, which explain how this gut-brain axis plays a vital role in both physical and mental well-being.”
Our guts are kind of a big deal.
And one of the things that helps our guts a lot is fiber. Which is why I was happy to notice a shift in “the space” (a term I use to loosely refer to the internet with all of its human and alien opinions swirling about).
Specifically, I’ve noticed influencers in the space now saying, “In addition to all that protein, don’t forget about fiber.”
Did anyone else see that coming?
I mean, there’s been so much talk about protein. And even though I agree with the evidence that protein is absolutely necessary for men & women (especially as we age), and I binge-watch YouTube protein videos as much as the next person, I started to think, “Can we talk about something other than protein? Por favor?
What about fiber?
And while I’m really happy that people are now talking more about fiber, and I want to learn more about it so I can continue to make my gut happier…. the hyper fixation on protein and now fiber leads nicely to What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week.
After years of following trends ~ the carb craze of the 90s, no-fat diets, the eat-fat diets, no sugar diets, protein craze, and now fiber bandwagon ~ I want to sum it up with one word.
UNCLE.
Uncle to going gangbusters and doing deep dives into any one food trend or food obsession. (I’m talking to you, Raisin Nut Bran mixed with Cocoa Krispies.)
Uncle to getting psycho over “Am I getting 50 grams of protein with my breakfast?”
Uncle to any food trend that just seems a bit over the top.
Instead, I’m doing things in moderation.
Getting protein, yes. But also fiber.
And, according to the aliens, “In addition to fiber and protein, other key elements of a good diet include carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.”
So, in a nutshell, saying Uncle to extremes and Aunt to variety.
That’s what I’ll be doing.
Figuring out my life-food connection for an ideal gut-brain connection.
And with that, let’s get to this week’s links.
I’ve got tips for Travel-Gut Wellness-Home-Productivity- and a couple to pull at your heartstrings.
And yes, some of those links *will* talk about fiber. And protein. And clean eating. I’ll give you a smorgasbord of options so you can make choices that work for you. I’m also going to dish (below the paywall, because gut talk is personal) on what I do when my gut isn’t working.
Let’s go!
BE WELL, FRIENDS
Starting with your daily dose of Woo with the workbook, Shift: Quantum Manifestation Guide. Why might this one have some merit? One of the authors is Jim Curtis, who is now dating Jennifer Aniston. Do you think he manifested her?
If you’ve been counting your steps and sometimes feel that you’re not getting enough in, this article will make you feel better.
Summer may be on the way out, but here’s why you should keep protecting yourself with UPF protective clothing.
My mom used to tell me, “Don’t wish your life away.” 💔How true. Another way to think of it comes from our Office pal Andy Bernard.
TRAVEL
Love this vlog on travel to Madrid from Vera, a flight attendant who shares great travel and lifestyle tips. Her recent trip to Madrid got me psyched about a (nearish) future trip to Madrid. Stay tuned for a video series and *maybe* a second newsletter.😳
What’s trending for travel this fall and winter? Intentional travel, wellness travel, and traveling for an experience - no matter the cost.
Are you headed anywhere?
Question: On your next trip, will you take part in this sobering travel trend?
Always good to know the latest rules from TSA - don’t pack these items!
RELATED TO THE GUT…
There’s the gut-brain connection, and there’s the gut-heart connection, which Ted Lasso explains so well, and I couldn’t resist including.
Speaking of the heart, this Love Frequency can help your heart, your gut, and your overall well-being.
GUT TALK 101
Like I said above, there’s gut and fiber talk everywhere, and Liz Plosser of Best Case Scenario tells us why Fiber is the New Protein.
Here are five foods for fiber intake, as recommended by a board-certified internal medicine specialist and allergist, and three high-fiber foods for a healthy liver.
Plus, what a gut doc says about common gut remedies and the top five foods for optimal gut health.
Camille Styles suggests these easy-to-digest foods, and here’s a recipe for Mediterranean Tuna Salad.
I think most travelers would agree that travel - ahem - messes up digestion. To counter that, below are the things I swear by before each trip…
