What you eat matters. Nutrition is foundational to how you feel, heal, and thrive. This page offers
an introduction to dietary approaches we often explore with patients—not as prescriptions, but as
starting points for conversations about what might work for you.
Anti-Inflammatory Eating
Inflammation is a natural immune response, but when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to a
wide range of health concerns—from joint pain and fatigue to cardiovascular issues. The foods
we eat play a significant role in either calming or fueling this inflammatory process.
Key insight: An anti-inflammatory approach isn't about strict rules. It's about
shifting toward whole, colorful foods—think leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, nuts, and olive
oil—while reducing processed foods and refined sugars. Many patients find that even small
changes can make a noticeable difference in how they feel.
Worth discussing with your care team: Which inflammatory markers might be relevant
for you, whether Mediterranean-style eating fits your lifestyle, and how your current diet might
be influencing symptoms you're experiencing.
Blood Sugar Balance & Metabolic Health
Do you experience energy crashes in the afternoon? Intense cravings after meals? Difficulty
concentrating? These can be signs that your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster—and stabilizing
it through dietary choices can have a profound impact on energy, mood, and long-term health.
Balancing blood sugar isn't just about avoiding sweets. It involves understanding how different
foods affect your body, how protein and healthy fats can support steady energy, and why meal
timing can matter. For some, it's also about addressing early signs of insulin resistance
before they progress.
Topics to explore with your doctor: Whether testing for fasting glucose, HbA1c,
or insulin levels makes sense; how your current eating patterns might be affecting your energy;
and strategies like protein-forward breakfasts or adjusted meal spacing.
Gut Health & the Microbiome
Your digestive system does far more than process food. The trillions of microorganisms living
in your gut—your microbiome—influence immune function, nutrient absorption, hormone balance,
and even mood. Research increasingly points to the gut as central to whole-body health.
Supporting gut health often involves nourishing beneficial bacteria through fiber-rich foods
and fermented options like yogurt, sauerkraut, or kimchi. It also means identifying and
addressing factors that may disrupt the microbiome, such as chronic stress, certain
medications, or dietary patterns.
Questions worth bringing to your appointment: Could my symptoms be related to
gut health? Would probiotics or digestive testing be helpful? How do I know if something like
"leaky gut" might be relevant to my situation?
Food Sensitivities & Elimination Diets
Sometimes the foods we eat every day are quietly contributing to symptoms we've accepted as
normal—bloating, headaches, skin issues, brain fog, or persistent fatigue. Unlike immediate
allergic reactions, food sensitivities can take hours or even days to manifest, making them
tricky to identify without a structured approach.
Elimination diets involve temporarily removing common trigger foods (such as gluten, dairy,
eggs, or soy), then systematically reintroducing them while monitoring how you feel. This
process can reveal connections between what you eat and how you feel that might otherwise
remain hidden.
If you're curious about food sensitivities, consider asking: What symptoms
might suggest a sensitivity? Is an elimination protocol right for me, or would testing be
more appropriate? How do I distinguish between a true allergy and a sensitivity?
