017: Calliope Tsoukalas on Nutrition and Living with IBS
Uninvisible Pod with Lauren Freedman
Shownotes Transcript
Lauren brings back a familiar guest: Calliope Tsoukalas, a nutrition and wellness coach based in Los Angeles, CA. Calliope is on the show again not only to go more in-depth about her practice, but also to share her experiences living with one of the most nebulous of invisible illness diagnoses: IBS.
**Listen in as Calliope reveals… **
- that she felt more connected to her body at a young age because she grew up with digestive problems and gut pain
that diet is 75% of IBS management, but exercise and stress are also major factors – but food is the one potential trigger we can most easily control
that, like so many of us, her doctors told her she was fine at first when she knew she wasn’t
how the apple cider vinegar fad actually made her symptoms worse
that changing habits quickly is unsustainable, and fast elimination can sometimes cause more harm than good – moderation and “slow and steady” are key to success
that having a support system is an integral part of making lifestyle changes successful
that knowing what DOESN’T work is as important a part of the process as knowing what d**oes work
that her current diet isn’t strictly Paleo, but rather a combination of various eating protocols – a unique individual diet she’s designed around her own health
that supplements aren’t necessarily a Band-Aid – there is a place for them depending on individual needs, and they can be very beneficial
that taking prescription drugs never felt right to her, and she resisted them
what tends to work best for IBS patients: small meals frequently throughout the day, not lying down after a meal, and drinking (water) 30 minutes before or after a meal, but not during
another key to success: meal prep and having snacks on hand at all times
that good quality, healthy food can also be delicious food
her endorsement of “mindful eating”, and how promoting relaxation while eating can help remove and reduce stressors, and also assist in discovering food sensitivities
that blood tests are most accurate in order to discover food sensitivity tests – which are distinct from food allergy tests, and just as – if not more – important
that food sensitivities can wreak more havoc on the body over a longer period of time, because they can have a cumulative effect
that she usually sees digestive problems in conjunction with depression, anxiety, and insomnia This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uninvisiblepod.substack.com)