08/24/2026
Your microbiome lives inside your body, so why do we talk about gut health as if there’s one perfect diet that works for everyone?
I think we’ve made this way more complicated than it needs to be.
We’re told to “feed our gut bacteria,” and suddenly the list gets long: beans, lentils, oatmeal, fruit, fiber powders, probiotics, prebiotics… basically everything in the health-food aisle.
But what if you’re insulin resistant?
What if you genuinely feel better eating fewer carbohydrates? And what if some of the foods you’re told are “good for your gut” leave you bloated, hungry, sluggish, or struggling with your blood sugar?
Does that mean you have to choose between your metabolic health and your microbiome?
Absolutely not.
What if your “gut-healthy” diet isn’t actually healthy for you?
We’ve been taught that supporting the microbiome means piling on beans, oats, fruit, and fiber. But your gut doesn’t read Instagram. It doesn’t care what the latest wellness trend says you should be eating.
Your body gives you feedback.
If you feel better eating low-carb, you don’t have to abandon that approach just because someone says your gut needs more carbohydrates. There’s more than one way to support a healthy microbiome.
I learned that firsthand.
While eating carnivore, I felt incredible in so many ways. But when I started adding a small serving of fermented vegetables to my meals, I noticed an unexpected difference in how my gut felt.
It wasn’t a huge dietary overhaul.
It wasn’t another supplement.
It was just one small addition.
And honestly, it reminded me of something important: sometimes our bodies don’t need us to do "more". They need us to pay attention.
And please don’t fall into the trap of thinking more is better...
You don’t have to start with a giant bowl of fermented vegetables. Try a teaspoon or two of naturally fermented sauerkraut, low-sugar kimchi, or another fermented food you tolerate. See how you feel. Give your body a chance to respond.
And one little detail matters: pickled doesn’t always mean fermented. Check the label and know what you’re actually buying. Your gut deserves more than a pretty wellness package.
Most importantly, if foods that everyone tells you are “healthy” consistently leave you bloated, hungry, or miserable, that doesn’t mean you’re doing health wrong.
It may simply mean your body needs a different strategy.
The goal isn’t to create a “perfect” microbiome or follow someone else’s definition of healthy. The goal is to build a way of eating that leaves you feeling supported, nourished, and good in your own body.
Listen a little closer.
Add a little less.
Choose what actually works for you.
