🌿 5 Signs Your Gut Needs Extra Love (and How to Start Supporting It)
By Majd Chalfoun, CFNC, CHC
Let’s face it — we don’t often think about our gut until it starts making itself known. Maybe it’s bloating after meals, fatigue that just won’t quit, or skin that doesn’t feel like yours anymore.
As a Functional Nutrition Counselor, I’ve seen how many women live with these symptoms for years, not realizing they’re all connected to one thing: gut health.
Your gut does so much more than digest food — it’s home to trillions of bacteria that affect your energy, hormones, immune system, skin, and even your mood. When that ecosystem falls out of balance, your body starts sending signals that it needs help.
Here are five common signs your gut may be asking for a little extra love — and what you can do about it.
You often feel bloated or uncomfortable after eating
That “puffy” or tight feeling after meals isn’t something you just have to live with. Bloating is one of the most common signs that your gut bacteria are out of balance or that your digestive enzymes aren’t keeping up.
đź’š Try this: Slow down at mealtime, chew your food thoroughly, and give your digestive system time to do its job. Include more cooked vegetables, soups, and fermented foods like yogurt or sauerkraut to help feed your good gut bacteria.
You’re tired — even after a good night’s sleep
If you’re eating healthy and still feel drained, your gut may not be absorbing nutrients properly. Poor digestion can lead to low levels of key vitamins and minerals, leaving your body undernourished and your energy low.
💚 Try this: Start your morning with protein and fiber to stabilize blood sugar and fuel your metabolism. Add a variety of colorful plants to your plate — diversity in food feeds diversity in your microbiome.
Your skin is sending signals
Breakouts, dryness, or conditions like eczema and rosacea are often more than skin deep. When your gut is overloaded or inflamed, it can’t eliminate toxins efficiently — and your skin ends up doing the job.
đź’š Try this: Support detoxification through fiber, hydration, and real, whole foods. Think greens, berries, flaxseeds, and omega-3-rich foods like salmon or chia seeds.
You notice your weight fluctuates easily
If your weight swings up and down even when your diet hasn’t changed, your gut could be involved. Imbalanced gut bacteria can affect how your body stores fat, regulates blood sugar, and signals hunger or fullness.
💚 Try this: Focus on balance — not restriction. Eat protein, healthy fats, and fiber at each meal to stabilize blood sugar, and aim for steady movement throughout the day.
You experience more stress, anxiety, or brain fog
Your gut and brain are in constant conversation — it’s called the gut-brain axis. When your gut is inflamed or out of balance, it can impact serotonin production (your feel-good hormone) and even your ability to focus or stay calm.
💚 Try this: Manage stress like it’s part of your health plan — because it is. Take short breaks for deep breathing, walks, journaling, or prayer. Your gut feels your stress levels, too.
The Takeaway
Your gut is the foundation of your well-being — from your energy and mood to your hormones and skin. When it’s out of balance, your body always finds a way to tell you.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Small, intentional steps can make a big difference — and sometimes, having someone connect the dots for you is what finally brings it all together.
💚 Let’s find out what your gut is really trying to tell you.
Book a Free 45-Minute Discovery Session with me, and we’ll talk through your health story, identify the patterns keeping you stuck, and map out a plan to help you start feeling like yourself again — naturally.