Bella Bellies and Food

Inflammation from foods, directly contributes to a bloated belly...a site that is not at all "bella."

With a bella belly objective/end goal in mind, I frequently recommend my clients reduce or eliminate foods they have difficulty digesting. Consistently reducing or eliminating foods such as gluten or dairy, and replacing them with healthy foods, significantly reduced their belly circumference. How or why gluten/dairy is a consistent culprit is debatable, but speaking as a personal trainer, the bottom-line is -it worked and our goal was attained.

For more insight into the matter, Jill Davis provided us with a Q &A below.

I met Jill during my Doula training in 2007. Jill is committed to maternal health and well-being, and I am happy to write she has expanded her business into nutritional health and well-being.

What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in BROW (Barley, Rye, Oats- technically, oats are not gluten, but it is cross contaminated in factories-get Gluten Free Oats--and Wheat). It is used as a way to flavor foods and acts as a thickening agent.  

What are some digestive problems with gluten?
Most Americans do not have the proper gut flora (we need good and bad bacteria, most of us only have the bad) to help break down gluten. This causes inflammation in the body, possibly causing ADD, ADHD, allergies, Autism, depression, eczema, constipation, and so on.

What are some digestive problems with Dairy? 
 Dairy causes excess mucus due to high heating during pasteurizing. This process kills all the wonderful enzymes and nutrients. This may contribute to symptoms similar to arthritis, allergies, sinus issues, night terrors, eczema, and many other illnesses.  

What happens when someone who is sensitive to Gluten or Dairy eliminates it from their diet? If you are sensitive to gluten or dairy eliminating them from your diet should make you feel better.  

How long does it take dairy and/or gluten to "leave our systems"?
It usually takes about six weeks for gluten and dairy to leave our systems.  

How difficult is it to "go" dairy and gluten free?
Gluten and dairy free diets are easier to stick by nowadays with so many options at restaurants, health food stores, and even conventional supermarkets, like Shoprite!  

Other information: Rule of thumb is to stick to eating whole foods, minimal sugar and processed foods. Try to think of the vegetable, then the protein and a good healthy fat like coconut oil, cold pressed olive oil, butter, chicken fat or lard to cook it all in!

For more information on your child's health or for a free health intake, contact Jill Davis, Founder and Owner or Hears to Health- Jill@holisticlifejourney.com 201 424 3463 www.holisticlifejourney.com

Would you like to learn more about the Bella Bellies Community? Join our Meet-Up Group at www.meetup.com/bellabellies or sign up for our teacher trainings, workshops and more at www.bellabellies.com.