Nutritional therapy: Practical steps to use food as medicine
Food affects mood, energy, sleep and inflammation faster than most people expect. Nutritional therapy uses targeted eating and simple habits to ease symptoms, boost recovery, and support long-term health. You don’t need a strict diet—just the right changes that fit your life.
How nutritional therapy works
Start by looking at what’s causing trouble. Chronic bloating, low energy, poor sleep, or high blood sugar all point to different nutritional fixes. A therapist or nutrition-savvy clinician will check your diet, symptoms, and medications, then focus on key areas: balance of protein, healthy fats, fiber and micronutrients; meal timing; and behaviors like hydration and sleep. Small shifts—adding protein at breakfast, fixing iron or B12 gaps, or swapping refined carbs for whole grains—often show results in days to weeks.
Nutritional therapy also reduces inflammation by replacing processed foods with whole foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s. For gut issues, the plan may focus on fiber variety, fermented foods, and reducing triggers like lactose or high-FODMAP items. For blood sugar control, timing and portion control matter more than cutting out all carbs. The goal is manageable, specific steps tied to the problem you want to solve.
Simple plans you can try
Try a 2-week reset: ditch sugary drinks, eat a protein at every meal, include two vegetable portions at lunch and dinner, and add a handful of nuts or oily fish twice a week. Track one symptom—energy, sleep, or digestion—and note changes. If energy improves but bloating stays, adjust fiber gradually or test dairy elimination for a week.
If you want targeted support, use these quick fixes: raise iron-friendly foods (lean red meat, spinach, vitamin C with meals) for fatigue; add oily fish, walnuts, or algae oil for brain fog; increase legumes, oats, and berries for blood sugar balance. For inflammation, swap fried snacks for olive oil, berries, leafy greens, and limit processed meats. Small swaps add up.
Don’t ignore medications and medical conditions. Nutritional therapy works best in partnership with your clinician. Some drugs change nutrient needs or absorption—like metformin lowering B12 or warfarin interacting with leafy greens. Tell your prescriber about major diet changes so they can monitor safely.
Want a practical next step? Keep a three-day food and symptom log. Note meals, sleep, mood and one symptom you want to change. Bring it to a nutritionist or use it to try one focused change each week. Food won’t fix everything, but targeted nutritional therapy often gives faster, clearer results than vague dieting advice.
, Aug, 2 2023
So, let's dive into the belly of the beast - literally! Omega-3 fatty acids are the superheroes we didn't know we needed, fighting off the pesky villain that is Atrophic Gastroenteritis. These bad boys are armed with anti-inflammatory powers, helping to soothe that inflamed stomach lining and kick belly pain to the curb. But it's not all about the fighting; they're also peacekeepers, promoting healthy cell growth to repair any damage done. So, in the battle of the belly, don't forget to enlist Omega-3 fatty acids - your gut will thank you!
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