What’s Really In Your Food?

What’s Really In Your Food?

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A conversation in the cereal aisle, shared as a guest article from Dr. Tiffany Troso-Sandoval.

This Is Not A New Conversation

Back in the 1970s and 80s, researchers were already sounding alarms about nitrites and nitrates in our food. A 1978 FDA study raised concerns. By 1985, studies were linking these preservatives to gastric cancer. The food industry pushed back hard, and the debate faded into the background noise of nutritional science.

But the evidence never really went away. It just kept quietly accumulating.

I was standing in the cereal aisle of Whole Foods last December with my daughter, Gabriella, home on winter break from her neuroscience program. She picked up a box of granola and started reading the ingredient list out loud.

Problems In The Box

“Potassium sorbate. Sodium benzoate. Calcium propionate.” She paused. “Mom, we literally just covered these in organic chemistry. Potassium sorbate is a salt of sorbic acid. It’s a weak acid that disrupts microbial cell membranes by interfering with amino acid transport.”

I looked at the box. Healthy-looking granola. Wholesome packaging. A laundry list of preservatives.

“Keep reading,” I said.

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How To Feed Your Inner Universe

How To Feed Your Inner Universe

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Were you a fan of Star Trek back in the day? It incorporated a fascinating collection of aliens, including symbiotic organisms like Trills. If you watched it, did you ever consider that you could have a symbiotic being in your body? Hello microbiome!

The gut microbiome consists of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that influence far more than digestion alone. Gut microbial health connects to immune function, mood, energy levels, skin health, and metabolic processes throughout the body.

Diversity in the gut supports health, and dietary variety is one of the primary ways to cultivate that diversity. Eating a wide range of plant foods appears to be among the most effective strategies for building a robust and varied microbial community.

Here are eight reasons why increasing plant variety supports a healthier microbiome, along with practical ways to incorporate more diversity into your eating pattern.

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The Missing Pieces In Gut Health

Gut Healing Is About More Than Food

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It’s frustrating when you’ve cleaned up your diet, tried the supplements, and still don’t feel like yourself. Many people assume gut health is determined primarily by what’s on their plate. If digestion feels off, the first instinct is often to search for a list of foods to eliminate or a new diet to try.

But for many people, the real frustration isn’t just what they can or can’t eat. It’s not understanding why their body is reacting the way it is.

Digestive symptoms are rarely random. Bloating, discomfort, irregular digestion, and even heartburn are often the body’s way of communicating that something deeper needs attention. Sometimes the gut isn’t asking for a different meal as much as it’s asking for a different rhythm.

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Why Keto May Work For Others – But Not You

Why Keto May Work For Others – But Not You

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January is the time of year when many are seeking to counter the effects of added indulgence during recent holidays. Social media and marketing are replete with advertisements of this diet and that one, all promising to provide the results you desire.

Many have started the ketogenic diet, and I have received a few messages from women who are frustrated. They are doing Keto with their husbands, who are losing weight, but they are gaining. I, too, have been in that frustrating situation in the past. What may be driving these different results?

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Sleep — Your Most Overlooked Health Habit

Sleep — Your Most Overlooked Health Habit

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How do you like to step into a new year? Maybe you take a quick look over your shoulder at the year behind you—celebrating what worked and noticing what didn’t. If better health is on your resolution list this year, I’m cheering you on already.

We usually think of eating better or exercising more. Maybe even drinking more water. Those are great! But one powerful habit rarely gets the spotlight it deserves… sleep.

Quality sleep is essential for healing, metabolism, memory, immunity … honestly, nearly everything your body does to keep you alive and thriving. Even while you’re still and quiet, your body is hard at work—clearing out toxins, repairing tissues, and resetting your system for a brand-new day.

A recent sleep survey found that sleep, diet, and exercise form an interconnected triad. If deep, restorative sleep hasn’t been part of your health plan, this is your gentle nudge to make room for it. Here are some simple ways to begin:

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The “Calm Plate” Formula

The “Calm Plate” Formula

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There’s a kind of fullness that isn’t related to food. It comes from conversations, notifications, emotional labor, and prolonged periods of concentration without rest. It comes from the typical holiday schedule.

When your capacity reaches its limit, you may still feel hungry, but not in a way that invites complexity. You might not know exactly what you want. You just know that the solution needs to be simple.

This is where a Calm Plate can make a difference.

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How To Repair Your Gut After Antibiotics

How To Repair Your Gut After Antibiotics

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Antibiotics are powerful. Sometimes they’re essential; yet even when necessary, they often come with a cost. Because while antibiotics clear out harmful bacteria, they also sweep away the beneficial microbes that keep your digestion, immune system, mood, and energy in balance. They can be like using a flamethrower on a field.

You might notice the effects a few days or weeks later. Your digestion may feel off. Maybe you’re more bloated than usual, your skin flares, your sleep is disrupted, your energy dips, or you develop a yeast infection. For some, it’s a spike in anxiety or a general sense of feeling disconnected from their body. After all, your gut affects your mental health as well.

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Healthy Picnic Planning - Foods To Pack And Enjoy

Healthy Picnic Planning – Foods To Pack And Enjoy

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Picnics are a great way to spend time with your friends and family. Whether it’s paired with a hike in the woods, a day at the beach, or a relaxing afternoon in the park, packing a picnic can be a fun and healthy way to enjoy the great outdoors. If you find it challenging to pack healthy options that are both delicious and easy to transport, here are some important considerations for healthy picnic planning with foods to pack and enjoy.

You can plan to keep your picnic menu simple or go a little more elaborate for a special occasion.

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What Your Cravings Are Trying To Tell You

What Your Cravings Are Trying To Tell You

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Do you experience cravings? If so, you’re not alone – many of my clients do, too. But what often surprises them is learning that not all cravings are a signal that the body needs food. In fact, cravings can stem from a variety of causes, some of which have nothing to do with hunger. Let’s explore what your cravings are trying to tell you.

Our bodies are incredibly intelligent, constantly working to maintain balance. Your heart beats, your lungs breathe, and your body knows when to sleep and wake – all without conscious effort.

Cravings are another way your body communicates with you, but instead of automatically reaching for a snack, I encourage you to pause and listen. Ask yourself: What does my body really want, and why?

By deconstructing your cravings, you can uncover their true cause and respond in a way that actually meets your body’s needs. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons behind cravings.

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Are You Aging—Or Just Overloaded with Toxins?

Are You Aging – Or Just Overloaded with Toxins?

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Have you ever been told that your fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, or stubborn weight gain are just “signs of aging”? Many people hear this from their doctors when they complain about feeling sluggish, foggy, inflamed, or simply “off.” The underlying message? Accept it. It’s just part of getting older.

But what if it’s not aging at all? What if these symptoms are actually signs that your body is struggling under the burden of accumulated toxins?

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