When “Healthy” Foods Make You Feel Worse and Why Personalized Nutrition Is the Future
We’ve all heard it — “Eat more whole grains.”
“Add spinach to your smoothies.” “Avocados are good fats.”
It sounds simple enough. But what if you’re the person who eats all the right foods and still feels bloated, foggy, or exhausted?
It’s frustrating — and it’s more common than most people realize.
The truth is, the word “healthy” has become a blanket term. What’s healthy for one person might be inflammatory for another. The same food that fuels one body can completely drain someone else’s.
The Missing Piece in Standard Nutrition Advice
Registered Dietitians (RDs) are incredibly knowledgeable. They’re trained to teach people how to eat balanced meals, manage medical conditions, and make sense of a confusing food environment. Their work is vital.
But the traditional nutrition model was built on averages — not individuality. Dietitians are often required to follow population-based guidelines and government-approved recommendations. Those guidelines don’t always account for how stress, hormones, or gut health can change the way your body processes food.
So when someone eats their morning oatmeal and ends up bloated or fatigued, it’s not because they’re doing something wrong — it’s because their body chemistry might not agree with it.
The FDN Difference
This is where Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) takes a different approach. Instead of starting with what’s “supposed” to be healthy, FDN practitioners begin by asking a more useful question:
“What’s actually happening inside your body?”
They run lab tests that measure how your systems are functioning — not just your symptoms. This can include food sensitivity testing (like MRT), gut microbiome analysis (such as the GI Map), or hormone and adrenal panels to understand your stress response.
When you look at the data, it often tells a story:
- A “superfood” like avocado might be spiking inflammation.
- Chronic stress might be depleting digestive enzymes.
- Or a past infection might be interfering with how you absorb nutrients.
Once you see the real cause, you can stop guessing. That’s when nutrition stops being about rules and starts being about results.
Why “Healthy” Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
The body is not static. It changes with age, stress, trauma, sleep, hormones, and environment. What nourished you a few years ago might not serve you now.
That’s why FDN emphasizes bio-individuality — the idea that every person has unique metabolic needs. Two people can eat the same meal and have completely different biological reactions. One feels energized; the other feels inflamed.
Without testing, those reactions go unnoticed, and people often end up blaming themselves instead of the mismatch between their body and their food.
A Smarter Way Forward
This isn’t about choosing sides. Registered Dietitians and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners simply work from different maps. Dietitians focus on food education and medical nutrition therapy. FDNs focus on the hidden imbalances that make “healthy” eating ineffective.
When both approaches are respected and used together, clients can get the best of both worlds — grounded nutritional science plus data-driven personalization.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to eat healthy.
The goal is to eat right for you.
To Be Trauma Informed is to Be Spiritually Informed
To be trauma-informed is, at its core, to be spiritually informed. This connection is often overlooked in modern approaches to healing, yet for many people, trauma and spirituality are deeply intertwined. Experiences of betrayal, abuse, neglect, and persecution often strike at the very foundation of a person’s identity, which is not only psychological but also spiritual. When this dimension is ignored, healing is left incomplete.
Much of the current landscape of trauma treatment emphasizes psychology alone—brain science, nervous system regulation, behavioral interventions. These tools are powerful and necessary, but they leave a gaping wound unaddressed when spirit is treated as irrelevant or untouchable. In many cases, individuals experience trauma precisely in relation to their faith or spiritual life. They are persecuted for maintaining belief, shamed for questions of doubt, or wounded by religious communities. The trauma itself becomes tethered to the soul. To treat only the body and mind while severing the spirit is to miss the root of the wound.
This omission has not been accidental. The separation of church and state and the cultural push for political correctness have created an atmosphere where professionals often feel unsafe or unqualified to address matters of faith. As a result, we have generations of people walking around spiritually fragmented. Our mental health statistics—rising anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide—cannot be separated from this enforced disconnection. Our physical health, too, suffers. The body keeps the score of unprocessed trauma, but the spirit also keeps the score of unacknowledged faith. Stress on the HPA axis, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction are not only biological imbalances but the body’s expression of a deeper, spiritual estrangement.
When we pretend that trauma can be healed with psychology alone, we reinforce the very disconnection that trauma caused in the first place. Healing must be whole. It must engage the spirit with as much seriousness as the mind and body. To acknowledge and invite the spiritual dimension is not to force a religion on anyone; it is to honor that human beings are not machines. We are soul-bearing, meaning-making, faith-driven creatures. Without tending to this sacred dimension, trauma care risks becoming another system of suppression, perpetuating shame and silence.
The opportunity before us is enormous. By integrating spiritual understanding into trauma-informed care, we give people permission to reconnect with the part of themselves that carries resilience, hope, and transcendence. We bridge the forced divide between psychology and faith, between the clinic and the sacred, and we recognize that the most profound healing comes when the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—is finally seen, validated, and restored.
Feed the Spirit and Tell the Flesh to Buzz Off
Do you ever feel like you’re living two lives at once? Like one part of you is screaming for peace, clarity, and purpose — while the other part is stuck in a loop of scrolling, comfort eating, anxiety, and burnout?
If that sounds like you, welcome to the club. You’re not broken. You’re waking up.
What Is This Dissonance You’re Feeling?
We live in a world designed to keep you disconnected from your true self. The flesh — your physical body, your survival instincts, your craving for comfort — is constantly being fed by distractions, addictions, and toxic habits.
- You scroll to numb the noise but end up more anxious.
- You binge sugar, processed foods, or whatever soothes you — but your energy crashes.
- You chase “self-care” that feels more like escape — scrolling, binge-watching, shopping, people-pleasing.
- You try to pray or meditate but can’t hear God’s whisper over the noise inside and outside your head.
Meanwhile, your spirit—the part of you made to connect with higher purpose, meaning, and flow—is starving.
The result? Chronic inflammation, hormonal chaos, digestive issues, fatigue, depression, and a persistent sense of “something’s off” that no amount of wellness trends can fix.
Why Functional Health Is the Missing Piece
Functional health looks beyond symptoms. It sees the body as an integrated system influenced by your environment, emotions, mindset, and spiritual state.
When you’re stuck in dissonance, your body’s systems get out of sync. Your hormones rebel. Your immune system falters. Your brain fogs. And your spirit feels muted.
Functional health helps you listen to these signals, uncover hidden stressors, and heal deeply and holistically. But here’s the catch:
It’s not just about fixing the body. It’s about feeding the spirit and starving the flesh.
Feeding the Spirit, Starving the Flesh
What does that even mean?
The flesh wants comfort. It lusts after ease, distraction, instant gratification, and escape. It’s never satisfied—always hungry for more sugar, more screen time, more validation, more stuff.
The spirit? It calls for truth, discipline, surrender, and purpose. It vibrates at a frequency that can only be reached when you step out of the noise and into alignment.
When you feed the flesh, you stay stuck in cycles of exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
When you feed the spirit, you raise your vibration high enough to be seen, guided, and protected by God—or whatever higher power you resonate with.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
We are living in an era of profound awakening—and profound confusion. More people are sensitive to their inner tug-of-war than ever before, yet they feel more isolated and overwhelmed.
If you’re reading this, it means you’re already sensing that something has to change.
You don’t have to keep pretending your symptoms are normal, or that your scattered habits are harmless.
It’s time to stop living divided.
Your Shift Starts Here
Healing starts with honesty and commitment.
- Be honest about your dissonance.
- Commit to feeding your spirit, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Use functional health to uncover your body’s unique needs and stressors.
- Let go of the easy but empty comforts the world offers.
I work with people who are ready to get real—to rebuild themselves with spiritual authority and functional clarity.
Because this isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving—wholly and unapologetically.
Ready to stop living divided?
Ready to starve the flesh and feed your spirit?
Let’s start your mindful shift today.
Nourish Wisely
Alright, let’s get one thing straight: you are not a one-size-fits-all human. So why are you treating your body like it came off an assembly line? Listening to your body isn’t just “woo-woo” talk—it’s survival. And here’s the tea: the food you’re eating, even the so-called “healthy” stuff, might be sabotaging you.
Your Body Is Talking. Are You Listening?
You’re a unique creation, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of biochemistry. Yet here you are, following that influencer’s kale smoothie diet like it’s gospel. Newsflash: kale might be great for them, but for you? It could be the reason your stomach’s doing the Macarena at 3 AM.
Mindful eating isn’t just about sitting cross-legged on the floor, chewing a single almond for 20 minutes. It’s about treating your body with the respect it deserves—tuning into the signals, becoming a detective of your symptoms, and realizing that food isn’t just fuel. It’s information for your cells.
Stop Playing Russian Roulette with Your Plate
Here’s the truth bomb: guessing what works for your body is exhausting, and it’s making you sick.
- Fad diets? Nope.
- Taking your friend’s supplements? Double nope.
- Eating “whole foods” that still leave you bloated and foggy? Big nope.
Stress from the wrong foods isn’t just on your waistline—it’s in your brain, your joints, and even your mood. You deserve better than a guessing game with your health.
Enter Food Sensitivity Testing and Metabolic Typing
This is where the magic happens. I offer tools to decode your body’s signals and finally figure out what’s helping you thrive—and what’s holding you back.
- Food Sensitivity Testing: Whole food can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing if your body’s reacting to it. Ever wonder why you feel sluggish after that “superfood” salad? Let’s find out.
- Metabolic Typing: Your body runs best on specific fuel, whether it’s carbs, protein, or fats. We’ll figure out your unique mix and get you eating in harmony with your biochemistry.
Why It Matters
When you stop guessing and start knowing, everything changes. You feel lighter, clearer, and more energized. You stop abandoning yourself for the next diet fad and start reclaiming your health.
Chew On This
It’s not just about eating more greens or cutting out sugar—it’s about finding your right foods. Because food isn’t just medicine. The right food is medicine. And your body? It’s not whispering anymore; it’s screaming for you to listen.
Let’s stop the epidemic of self-abandonment and self-harm disguised as “healthy eating.” Let’s get it right.
You Are Allowed To Be Curious
Last post for this wintery Tuesday. Stay warm and safe out there!
“If this resonates with you and you’d like to connect, please fill out the form below. This isn’t just a free consultation – I like to think of it as a friendly conversation between two people, simply trying to understand themselves, at no cost.”
The Burnout Epidemic
In a world that glorifies the grind, burnout has become an all-too-familiar reality for many of us—especially entrepreneurs juggling endless responsibilities. The constant push to achieve, coupled with the pressures of running a business, often leaves little room for rest, recovery, and balance. But burnout isn’t just about feeling “tired.” It’s a complex, multi-layered experience that affects our minds, bodies, and overall well-being.
Burnout is the state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It often creeps up slowly, masked by the hustle culture that tells us we must keep going at all costs. But the cost is real—and steep.
Signs of Burnout:
Emotional Signs:
- Feeling detached or apathetic toward work or life
- Increased irritability or frustration
- Loss of motivation or enthusiasm
- Chronic feelings of failure or self-doubt
- Anxiety or an inability to relax
Physiological Signs:
- Chronic fatigue, even after rest
- Frequent headaches or muscle pain
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- Digestive problems or a weakened immune system
- Hormonal imbalances, such as irregular cycles or weight changes
Each of these systems is interconnected, and when one is stressed, it creates a domino effect on the others.
How Stressors Affect the Body
Stress—whether mental, emotional, physical, or environmental—disrupts the mind-body connection. This leads to what FDN-P’s call “metabolic chaos,” where the body struggles to maintain equilibrium. Stress causes dysfunction in key processes, including:
- Hormonal regulation
- Immune response
- Digestive efficiency
- Detoxification pathways
- Energy production
- Nervous system balance
When these systems malfunction, they produce symptoms we often address at the doctor’s office. Unfortunately, conventional medicine tends to treat symptoms as the problem, rather than addressing the root causes. This leaves underlying stressors unresolved, perpetuating the cycle of burnout.
How I Help You Heal
My approach to burnout and stress management starts with understanding your unique biochemistry. I offer tools and guidance to identify and address the root causes of stress. Together, we:
- Dive Deep into Your Biochemistry:
Through personalized testing, we uncover imbalances in your body’s systems—hormones, gut health, detox pathways, and more. - Create Holistic Grounding Protocols:
Using nutrition, mindfulness, lifestyle adjustments, and targeted supplementation, we strengthen your body’s vital reserves. This natural approach allows your body to heal itself, as it was designed to do. - Build Resilience Strategically:
By supporting your body and mind, we create a foundation of health that prevents burnout and restores balance.
The Big Picture
Burnout is not inevitable, even in a world that thrives on pressure and productivity. By understanding the hidden stressors at play and taking intentional steps to create balance, you can protect your health, regain your vitality, and thrive in both your personal and professional life.
Because your well-being isn’t just important—it’s essential.
The Gift of Discernment in a Post-Modern World
We’re living in a time of profound shifts, where the veil is being lifted on systems and structures that have long held us in stagnation. Passive aggression, projection, and performative behavior are more visible than ever, revealing the cracks in systems built on simulated ethics and lip service. For generations, gatekeepers controlled the narrative, but now, truth is breaking through, unsettling the status quo and challenging us to evolve.
Humanity is at a boiling point, grappling with anxiety as the truths of who we are, what we know, and what we’re capable of come into sharper focus. Out-of-the-box thinkers are emerging—resilient, adaptable, and creative individuals who have turned adversity into strength. These are people who use parts of their minds honed through struggle, innovation, and introspection. They are thinkers, doers, and dreamers, unshackled by tradition, ready to rewrite what success and purpose mean in this era.
As we navigate economic uncertainty, governmental dysfunction, educational reform, and social upheaval, it’s clear that the future belongs not to those who cling to outdated measures of worth—like the letters behind a name and silly degrees —but to those who know themselves deeply. This next era will be shaped by individuals with emotional intelligence, spiritual grounding, intellectual curiosity, and holistic balance.
This is where discernment—the ability to see the big picture and understand what truly matters—becomes invaluable. Those with this gift are stepping forward, helping others break free from patterns of emotional and mental enslavement. They are guiding people toward self-actualization, empowering them to become who they were meant to be.
And yet, this awakening isn’t without cost. The existential angst of our time is taking a toll on our minds and bodies. Chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of disconnection are driving inflammation, dysregulated hormones, and imbalanced immune systems. The post-modern world may demand grit, but it also demands healing—a balance of biological, psychological, and philosophical health.
As we move forward, true success will not be measured by what we own or the accolades we’ve collected but by how well we’ve cultivated a balanced, resilient, and self-aware life. The stars of this era will be those who have mastered themselves—not through domination of others but through an unshakable understanding of their own purpose and potential.
Are you ready to embrace this mindful shift? To align your health, mind, and spirit with the person you’re meant to be? The time to step into your power is now.
No One Cares
No One Cares: A Manifesto for Radical Self-Awareness and Empowerment
At nearly 51, I’ve come to a realization that’s both sobering and liberating: no one cares. Not really.
We say we care. We post, share, comment, and hashtag our solidarity. We cry at injustices and nod along to the latest call for change. But when it comes to the kind of action that demands sacrifice—giving up comfort, security, or the systems that shield us—most of us stop short.
This isn’t just a societal problem. It’s deeply personal.
When grief hollows you out, when fear wraps around your chest like a vice, when pain feels like your constant shadow—who shows up? Perhaps someone checks in. Maybe they listen. But as the dust settles and the world resumes its relentless pace, you’re left alone to sift through the rubble of your life.
And it’s in that stark, solitary moment that a mindful shift must occur.
The Systems That Shape Us—And Fail Us
Think about the promises we’ve been sold: healthcare that’s supposed to heal, education that’s meant to enlighten, and media that claims to inform. But dig deeper, and you’ll find cracks in the foundation. These systems don’t thrive on our well-being. They profit from our exhaustion and dependence.
Worse, the very fabric of this matrix is performative. It convinces us—gaslights us, even—into believing we are part of a system that cares. Shrinkflation means paying more for less, and human trafficking continues in shadows because we’re too overwhelmed to confront it. Rising prices pit us against each other, forcing us to oppress those beneath us to keep our own heads above water. Virtue signaling—that modern display of morality—has replaced meaningful action, turning ethics into theater.
We’ve become unwitting actors in a tragic comedy. We’re told to applaud the systems that betray us, to believe that likes and shares equal change, and to mistake noise for progress. The joke is on us, and the punchline is cruel: the systems don’t care, and neither do most of the people playing along.
Radical Self-Care: A Quiet Revolution
Radical self-care isn’t indulgence. It’s rebellion.
It’s rejecting the narratives that say you should burn out for a paycheck or settle for fast food because it’s convenient. It’s recognizing that prioritizing your health, peace, and joy is not selfish—it’s revolutionary.
- Nourishing your body with real food isn’t the challenge; it’s undoing the belief that quick fixes ever sustained you.
- Moving your body and resting deeply isn’t the struggle; it’s unlearning the myth that constant hustle equals worth.
- Walking away from toxic relationships isn’t the battle; it’s realizing you deserved better all along.
When you commit to radical self-care, you’re not just caring for yourself—you’re disrupting the cycle of dependence that these systems rely on. You’re declaring that your well-being is non-negotiable.
Finding Our Shared Humanity
We’re told that we’re divided—by race, class, politics, or beliefs. But beneath these labels, we’re living parallel lives. We’re paying the same rising costs, enduring the same indoctrination from childhood, and sharing the same quiet disillusionment.
Deep down, we all want to believe that someone truly cares. We’ve felt the sting of betrayal when we realize they don’t. And yet, this shared experience connects us. It’s a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles—that while no one may save us, we can save ourselves and, in doing so, inspire others.
Stepping Outside the Simulation
This masquerade of ethics and performative compassion—what I call the Simulation of Caring—has trapped us in a cycle of complacency. We’re led to believe that caring is a performance, not a practice. But you don’t have to live in the simulation.
You can wake up. You can see the truth and choose to step outside of it.
Stop waiting for the world to change. Stop waiting for systems to validate your worth. Instead, reclaim your power. Care for yourself in ways that disrupt the status quo. Take action—not because anyone else will, but because you can.
When you do, you’ll discover something extraordinary:
You are enough. You always were. The power to thrive was always within you.
No one cares. Not really. And that’s not a tragedy—it’s a liberation. Because now, you get to decide what to care about. And that’s where true freedom begins.
Mindful Shift Health Solutions LLC 