If you’ve ever been told that gluten is the problem, dairy is causing inflammation, sugar is wrecking your hormones, or you need to eliminate a growing list of foods to “heal your gut”…you’re definitely not alone.

But how do you know when food really is contributing to your symptoms—and when you’ve fallen into the very common trap of restricting more and more foods in an attempt to feel better?

In this HER+ Expert Roundtable, we’re taking a closer look at the complicated relationship between food, digestion, gut health, stress, mood, and hormones. We’ll unpack what food sensitivity testing can—and can’t—tell you, why long elimination lists can sometimes do more harm than good, and why an evidence-informed approach doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you love to eat.

We’ll also talk about the importance of dietary variety, individualized care, temporary elimination when appropriate, and finding healthcare providers who listen to your symptoms without adding more guilt or fear around food.

Because your body deserves curiosity—not a constantly shrinking list of “safe” foods.

1. What food sensitivity testing can actually tell you.We break down the difference between food allergies, IgG testing, and true food-related reactions—and why some commercial tests can lead to unnecessary restriction.

2. How to tell the difference between targeted food changes and diet culture.Learn why eliminating a food for a specific, evidence-based reason is very different from labeling foods as “good,” “bad,” or something you need to avoid to be healthy.

3. Why gut health is about more than what’s on your plate.We explore how digestion, stress, the microbiome, hormones, mood, and individual tolerance can all play a role—and why supporting your body may involve much more than eliminating foods.

This is a conversation about eating with more information, less fear, and a whole lot less shame.

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Elizabeth Sierakowski MD, ABFM, ABOIM, ABAARM, triple board certified in family medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine, Essential Health

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - Reclaimable

• Annie Penrose, M.Ed, RD, LDN, Nutrition Therapist - Lutz, Alexander & Associates

• Taruja Borker, Ayurvedic Wellness Advisor, Educator, Yoga Instructor - Good Gut Alchemy

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

Bloating. Constipation. Stomach discomfort. When your digestion feels off, it’s easy to point the finger at the last thing you ate—or decide that a certain food must be the problem.

But what if there’s more to the story?

In this HER+ Expert Roundtable, we’re taking a closer look at the many factors that can influence digestive symptoms in women, from hydration, fiber, stress, meal timing, and adequate nutrition to hormones, gut health, and the body’s natural rhythms.

Our experts unpack why restrictive eating and skipping meals may sometimes make digestive issues worse, how consistency can support the body’s natural digestive processes, and why symptoms aren’t always a sign that you need to eliminate another food from your diet.

We’ll also talk about when digestive symptoms may warrant a deeper conversation with a healthcare provider—and why persistent or significant changes shouldn’t simply be managed by changing what you eat.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What to consider before blaming a food for bloating, constipation, or other digestive symptoms—including hydration, fiber, stress, meal timing, and overall nutrition.

• How under-fueling, skipped meals, and restrictive eating can affect digestion and why your body needs consistent nourishment to support healthy digestive function.

• Why gut health, hormones, lifestyle, and your body’s natural rhythms are all connected—and when digestive symptoms may be a reason to seek professional support.

Because digestive health isn't always as simple as “What did I eat?” Sometimes, the better question is: “What else is my body trying to tell me?”

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Elizabeth Sierakowski MD, ABFM, ABOIM, ABAARM, triple board certified in family medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine, Essential Health

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - Reclaimable

• Annie Penrose, M.Ed, RD, LDN, Nutrition Therapist - Lutz, Alexander & Associates

• Taruja Borker, Ayurvedic Wellness Advisor, Educator, Yoga Instructor - Good Gut Alchemy

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278

What does your gut have to do with your mood, energy, stress, and hormones? A lot more than you might think.

In this HER+ Expert Roundtable, we’re unpacking the fascinating connection between the gut, brain, and hormones, and why what’s happening in your digestive system can show up in ways you might not expect. From bloating and constipation to brain fog, mood changes, hormone metabolism, and stress, your gut is constantly communicating with the rest of your body.

Our experts explore how digestion influences hormone clearance, why gut bacteria diversity matters, how estrogen and progesterone interact with the digestive system, and why your nervous system plays such an important role in how well you digest and absorb nutrients.

We’ll also look beyond food and digestion to explore the connection between digesting what we eat and processing what we feel, including how stress and emotions can influence the gut and, in turn, how the gut can influence our emotional well-being.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How your gut, hormones, and brain communicate—and why that connection matters for mood, energy, and stress.

• Why gut bacteria diversity and regular digestion can play an important role in hormone metabolism, particularly estrogen clearance.

• How stress, the nervous system, and digestive health work together—and why supporting your “rest and digest” state may matter more than you realize.

If you’ve ever wondered why digestive issues seem to show up alongside hormonal or emotional changes, this conversation will help you start connecting the dots—and understanding that your symptoms may be telling you more than you think.

🎧 Tune in and explore more expert resources inside the HER+ Health Collective community.

Featured HER+ Experts:

• Dr. Elizabeth Sierakowski MD, ABFM, ABOIM, ABAARM, triple board certified in family medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine, Essential Health

• Katherine Rose, Integrative Health Practitioner, Personal Trainer - Reclaimable

• Annie Penrose, M.Ed, RD, LDN, Nutrition Therapist - Lutz, Alexander & Associates

• Taruja Borker, Ayurvedic Wellness Advisor, Educator, Yoga Instructor - Good Gut Alchemy

Episode Notes and Resources:

FREE Expert Provider Directory - https://herhealthcollective.com/search-the-directory/?type=fitness

HER Circle (A Mom community by HER Health Collective) - https://www.herhealthcollective.com/membership

Support Mama Needs a Moment! Become a patron through our Mama Needs a Moment Patreon.

HER+ You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@herhealthcollective4278