What to Eat When Digestion Isn’t Working With You

Struggling with bloating, cramping, or unpredictable digestion?

When your gut isn’t happy, it affects everything—your energy, mood, and even hormone balance. But finding the right diet can feel overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice out there.

Low-FODMAP, gluten-free, SIBO diets, GERD protocols, even extreme plans like carnivore or autoimmune diets—it’s hard to know what’s right for you. The truth? There’s no single “gut-healing” diet that works for everyone. What helps one person may make another feel worse. That’s why understanding what’s driving your symptoms is the first step.

Common Digestive Triggers

Some foods are more likely to irritate a sensitive gut, including:

• Highly processed or greasy foods

• Foods high in fermentable fibers (like garlic, onions, or beans) if you have IBS or SIBO

• Excess alcohol or caffeine (for some people)

But eliminating foods long-term isn’t always the answer. Restricting too much can sometimes make gut issues worse by starving healthy bacteria or stressing your system further.

The Marsden Approach

We focus on adding in the foods and nutrients your gut needs to heal, not just taking foods away. This might include:

• Easily digestible proteins and cooked vegetables during flares

• Fiber-rich foods to feed healthy gut bacteria (when tolerated)

• Simple strategies to improve enzyme and stomach acid function for better digestion

We also look beyond food—testing for underlying imbalances like SIBO, microbiome dysfunction, or inflammation helps guide the right plan for you.

Your Plan Should Evolve With You

As your gut heals, the foods you tolerate will likely expand. Many patients are surprised to learn that with the right support, they can add back foods they thought they’d never eat again.

Ready to Get Your Gut Working for You?

Your symptoms, history, and lab testing help us design a realistic, personalized plan—one that calms symptoms now and supports long-term gut health.

Book a visit, and let’s get your digestion back on track.

‍