3 Things I Would Do If I Were Starting My Gut Healing Journey Again
If you’re in the middle of your gut healing journey, and you’re anything like most of the amazing clients I work with, you probably feel like you’ve tried everything to feel better.
Maybe you’ve already cleaned up your diet, loaded up on probiotics, or started sipping on bone broth daily... but you’re still battling frustrating symptoms like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, or unpredictable digestion.
Or maybe you’re at a complete loss, feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice out there and unsure where to even begin.
I see you. And I get it…because I’ve been there too.
When I first started my own gut healing journey, I was exhausted, bloated, and totally dependent on sugar and caffeine just to get through the day.
No matter what trendy diet or supplement I tried, nothing seemed to create real, lasting change.
It wasn’t until I discovered the power of true gut healing, rooted in nourishment, not restriction, that everything shifted.
Now, as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and GAPS Practitioner, it’s my passion to help others find that same deep healing, without all the confusion and wasted time.
In this blog post, I’ll share exactly what I would do if I were starting my gut healing journey all over again, the real foundational steps that made the biggest difference for me (and now for my clients too!).
If you feel like you need more personalized support on your gut healing journey, then my 1:1 Gut Healing Deep Dive Package could be the perfect next step!
In just 12 weeks you’ll gain clarity, a customized plan, and the confidence to finally start feeling better in your body again.
Learn more about the Gut Healing Package here.
Tip #1: Focus on Foundational Gut Healing First (Not Just Symptom Management)
The first thing I would do if I were starting my gut healing journey all over again would be to focus on building a strong foundation for true healing, rather than just chasing symptom relief.
This is so important because when your gut has a solid, healthy foundation, everything else in the body, energy, mood, skin, immune function, even hormone balance, can begin to shift and heal naturally.
Without this foundation, you're just putting band-aids on symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.
Here are some other reasons why focusing on foundational gut healing is so beneficial:
It creates lasting results, rather than temporary improvements that fade once a supplement or diet trend ends.
It helps you understand your body’s needs better, giving you the tools to support yourself long-term instead of staying stuck in confusion.
It supports your entire ecosystem, including your brain, nervous system, hormones, and even emotional well-being (gut-brain connection, anyone?!)
Here are some simple ways to start building a strong gut-healing foundation right now:
Simplify Your Diet
Instead of jumping into extreme elimination diets, focus on eating easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods like meat stock, cooked vegetables, healthy fats, and fermented foods (think sauerkraut, kefir, and homemade yogurt).
Example: Start your morning with a nourishing cup of meat stock or warm lemon water instead of coffee to gently wake up your digestion.
Support Your Digestion
Even the best foods won’t help if you’re not digesting them properly!
Gentle digestive support like Betaine HCl & digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar before meals, or a simple deep breathing practice before eating can make a world of difference.
Example: Before every meal, take 3–5 deep belly breaths to switch your body into “rest and digest” mode.
Balance Your Blood Sugar
Blood sugar swings can inflame the gut lining and feed harmful microbes like candida. Focus on building meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day.
Example: Instead of a carb-heavy snack like crackers, try a handful of nuts with some turkey slices or veggies with hummus.
Prioritize Rest and Nervous System Regulation
Your gut cannot heal if you are constantly in a state of stress.
Rest is just as much a healing tool as any supplement!
Practices like gentle yoga, meditation, nature walks, or even simply doing nothing for 10 minutes a day can create massive shifts.
Example: Set a timer and spend just 5 minutes lying flat on your back, breathing deeply and allowing your nervous system to reset.
Remember, gut healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works beautifully for one person may need tweaking for someone else.
It’s all about experimenting, tuning in, and honoring what your unique body needs.
Trust the process…your gut is always trying to heal; it just needs the right environment to do so!
If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be this: slow down, simplify, and trust your body. Healing is possible, and you are so much more resilient than you think.
Tip #2: Consider Functional Lab Testing to Guide Your Gut Healing Journey
Another thing I would absolutely do if I were starting my gut healing journey all over again would be to take advantage of functional lab testing right from the start.
Using functional lab testing is such an important step because it takes so much of the guesswork out of why you're experiencing gut symptoms.
Whether that's bloating, food sensitivities, brain fog, skin issues, or chronic fatigue. Instead of trying every elimination diet and supplement under the sun, you can get real data about what’s happening inside your body.
Functional lab testing is important because:
It uncovers hidden imbalances like bacterial overgrowths, yeast (candida), parasites, viruses, and even antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Determine if a candida or parasite cleanse is actually needed, so you're not guessing or following protocols that might not be right for your body.
It saves you time, money, and emotional energy by focusing your efforts where your body needs the most support, no more wasted months (or years) guessing.
One of the most common questions I get about lab testing for gut health is: “When should I start testing?”
My answer: If you're struggling with persistent gut symptoms, have plateaued in your healing, or want to prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones, it’s time to test!
Early testing not only speeds up your recovery but can also catch underlying imbalances before they snowball into more serious health concerns.
Why I Recommend the DeepGut Test by Vitract
There are lots of gut health tests out there, but the one I trust and work with is the DeepGut Test by Vitract, because it’s the most comprehensive and clinically insightful option available today.
DeepGut takes gut health testing to a whole new level by:
Detecting a broader range of microbes — bacteria, archaea, fungi (yeast like Candida), protozoa, viruses, and even parasitic worms.
Identifying antimicrobial resistance genes — giving insight into treatment barriers that could otherwise slow down your healing.
Assessing microbial metabolism — measuring production of butyrate (for gut lining health), neurotransmitters (gut-brain connection), and B vitamins (energy and immune function).
Providing a Gut Health & Diversity Score — evaluating digestion, inflammation, detoxification, intestinal permeability, and more.
Delivering highly personalized recommendations — offering clear, actionable advice on diet, probiotics, prebiotics, and lifestyle tweaks tailored to YOUR unique microbiome.
Compared to more traditional options like the GI-MAP, GI Effects, or GI360, here’s how DeepGut stands apart:
Better technology: Deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing (more accurate than PCR-based tests).
Wider detection: Captures over 2,500 species, versus 15-90 species on other popular tests.
Metabolic insights: Measures over 40 metabolites that impact gut health, compared to very limited data on other tests.
User-friendly: Simple stool swab collection instead of complex, bulky stool samples.
Faster results: Typically back in about 2-3 weeks.
DeepGut doesn’t just tell you who is in your gut — it tells you what they’re doing and how to rebalance your microbiome effectively.
A Few Key Markers DeepGut Can Help You Understand
Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production (like butyrate)
Vital for nourishing your gut lining, reducing inflammation, and supporting your immune system.
Gut-Brain Connection Indicators (neurotransmitter production)
Ever feel "foggy" or anxious without a clear cause? Your gut microbes might not be producing enough serotonin, dopamine, or GABA.
Candida Overgrowth and Other Fungal Markers
Pinpointing yeast overgrowths that can otherwise hide under the radar and cause symptoms like bloating, sugar cravings, or fatigue.
Gut Diversity and Inflammatory Risk
A healthy gut is a diverse gut! DeepGut’s Diversity Score highlights how robust your microbiome really is — and where you can strengthen it.
If I could go back and start my gut healing journey again, I would 1000% empower myself with functional lab testing early on.
Knowledge truly is power when it comes to healing your gut from the inside out.
Tip #3: Get Support on Your Gut Healing Journey
The last thing I would do if I were starting my gut healing journey again would be to try to navigate it all on my own without the support of someone who truly understands the complexities of the gut.
When I first started, I spent so much time, energy, and money trying to piece it all together by myself, reading countless articles, experimenting with random supplements, following advice that wasn’t tailored to my body.
It was overwhelming, confusing, and honestly, pretty lonely at times.
Looking back now, I realize how invaluable it would have been to have the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner, someone who could see the bigger picture, help me avoid common mistakes, and fast-track my healing process.
Working with a practitioner who specializes in gut health can help you:
Identify the true root causes of your symptoms instead of just guessing
Create a clear, customized action plan that’s aligned with your unique needs
Stay supported and accountable through the ups and downs of healing
Feel seen, heard, and validated, instead of feeling like you're doing it all alone
Getting this kind of support can be the difference between spinning your wheels for years, and actually making sustainable, powerful progress.
When it comes to healing your gut, there are absolutely steps you can start taking today to support yourself.
But having the right practitioner in your corner gives you something that Google and DIY plans can’t: expert guidance, a personalized plan, emotional support, and a deep understanding of the healing journey.
If you’re ready for a more supportive and effective approach to gut healing, I’d love to support you!
Inside my 12-Week Gut Healing Deep Dive, you’ll receive 1:1 guidance, customized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, and compassionate support every step of the way.
Click the button below to book a free discovery call and let’s talk about how we can help you start feeling like yourself again!