We’ve all been there pushing through the fatigue, ignoring the signals our body is frantically sending, only to end up burned out and wondering why we didn’t just listen.
It’s easy to dismiss those little nudges (or gut punches) until something forces us to stop in our tracks.
For South African cookbook author Chantal Lascaris, this wake-up call came after a devastating bout of food poisoning that turned her relationship with food and her health completely upside down.
“I had a serious falling out with my gut,” Lascaris admits. “After the food poisoning, I couldn’t eat the foods I loved anymore without pain. Garlic, onions, and tomatoes, my kitchen staples became my worst enemies. And fermented foods? Those so-called gut-health heroes? Forget it.”
Diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), Lascaris' journey wasn’t just about managing symptoms; it was about rethinking her entire approach to food and gut health.
Her story is a relatable reminder that our bodies are constantly talking to us, even if we’re not always paying attention.
“Gut health isn’t about following every hashtag or trendy diet it’s about tuning in and figuring out what works for you,” she explains.
And it’s true. No two guts are the same. While your friend might rave about how kimchi transformed his or her digestion, it could be a total disaster for you. It’s not one-size-fits-all and that’s exactly why listening to your own body is so important.
Here’s the science: trillions of microbiota live in your gut, creating a unique bacterial ecosystem that plays a huge role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health.
Research from Loma Linda University Health highlights how the gut and brain are in constant communication, sending signals about everything from joy and cravings to anxiety and worry.
When this gut-brain connection is disrupted, it can lead to more than just bloating, it can affect your mood, your focus, and your overall well-being.
Restriction to reinvention
Restrictive eating is when people cut out certain foods or food groups in an effort to lose weight, manage health condition or follow popular diet trends.
While it may seem like a quick fix, overly restrictive eating can harm the body by depriving it of essential nutrients, slowing metabolism, and even leading to binge eating or unhealthy relationships with food.
Instead of focusing on what you can’t eat, transitioning to healthy food is about adding more nourishing, whole foods into your diet.
For Lascaris, her gut issues forced her to completely reinvent her approach to cooking and eating.
“It wasn’t about avoiding foods forever; it was about making conscious decisions that worked for me,” she says. “Through trial and error, I learned to balance what my body needed with what I loved.”
Her cookbooks, "All Sorts of Healthy Dishes: The Mediterranean Way", and "All Sorts of Tapas" reflect this philosophy. While they’re not specifically focused on gut health or restrictive diets, they emphasise fresh, wholesome ingredients that can be adapted to suit individual needs.
Lascaris credits the Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish and whole grains for helping her find balance. But more than just the ingredients, it was the lifestyle that made the biggest difference.
One of the key lessons Lascaris learned was to slow down and savour her meals.
“I stopped rushing through meals and started making them an experience,” she says.
“Eating socially and mindfully not only improved my digestion but deepened my connection to food and the people I shared it with.”
This approach aligns with the Mediterranean way of eating, which is as much about lifestyle as it is about food.
Taking the time to enjoy your meals, being present, and appreciating the flavours on your plate can have a profound impact on both your physical and emotional health.
Gut-friendly game changers
Lascaris' journey taught her a few key strategies for maintaining a happy, healthy gut:
- Prioritise fresh, whole foods
Seasonal, unprocessed ingredients became her go-to. Cooking from scratch allowed her to control what went into her meals, ensuring they were as gut-friendly as possible.
Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function better. This shift not only improves energy levels and digestion but also supports mental health, builds stronger immunity, and promotes long-term balance.
- Experiment and adapt
“I learned through trial and error,” she shares. “It’s about finding what works for you, not what works for everyone else.”
- Make mealtime meaningful
By turning meals into a mindful experience eating slowly, socially, and with gratitude Lascaris found that food became more than just fuel, it became a source of joy and connection.
For anyone struggling with gut issues, the advice is simple but powerful: “Listen to your body. Your gut is your gut nobody else’s. Respect it, love it, and pay attention when it’s trying to tell you something."