What to Eat for Gastroparesis

Well, this should be an interesting one.

It’s probably one of the top, if not the top, question I get and is Google searched.

Because, like seriously, what should you eat when you have Gastroparesis?

So, I am going to give you one answer that will annoy you, then I will have another one. Let’s get that out of the way first.

What Should I Eat for Gastroparesis?

First annoying answer:

When I am on a consult call and someone asks me this, I have to be completely honest with them and tell them, “it depends”.

While we all have this condition, there are other factors that play in to what their body can handle. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. I tried that with a course for people to go through, but I saw they still needed help with customizing their diet plans until they got their motility in gear.

Some people have reflux, have other conditions like diabetes, EDS and more. Some have methylation issues. Some don’t have access to certain foods. Some have a smaller budget. Some aren’t disciplined enough to reign in their diet. Some simply don’t want to make the changes. Some are too exhausted to try. Most have a messed up microbiome, but that looks different for everyone. Some have candida, SIBO.

And on and on. So, you see my point here in that I can’t say there is a silver bullet diet that will work for Gastroparesis. At least until I get to know you and your digestive system a little better, then I can work the magic for you there.

BUT…. I promise I won’t leave you hanging with no answers like every other doctor, dietitian or even other nutrition practitioners who just aren’t familiar enough with the intricacies of Gastroparesis.

Second Answer that has a bit more to it:

Okay, so just like the first answer says, some of this will depend on where you are at in your diagnosis and diet currently. However, this is a similar approach I take with my clients.

1. Start with liquids.

   No, I don’t mean clear liquids like the doctor will give sometimes. I mean look to juices, smoothies, broth, broth-based soups, etc.

   These will allow your body to start filling its nutrient stores that are more than likely depleted due to Gastroparesis. Except that it doesn’t have to work hard to digest.

2. Build your way up to soft solids.

   This will look like cooked veggies in the broth soups. Making a smoothie and adding a few toppings. Things like mashed potatoes, etc. This stage is a slow build. There’s no rush and no rules except to listen to your body.

3. Build to solids for 1 meal a day.

   Pick a meal like breakfast or lunch and make it normal food. This will allow your body to digest longer throughout the day and then utilize the liquids at dinner again.

4. Build to more solids in a day.

   This might be a while, but it’s worth it. And this is done once you are tolerating each previous step easily.

Okay, great Aubrey, but what does that actually look like in a day? I got you.

Example for liquids:

• Wake Up

• Warm Lemon Water

• Warm Broth

• Smoothie (considered breakfast)

• Warm Broth (like a snack)

• Juice (lunch)

• Warm Broth (snack)

• Smoothie or juice or broth-based soup (dinner)

You do this daily until you feel no more pain, nausea, or anything. It can take a bit depending on what your diet is currently like. Also, this doesn’t mean you have to consume a lot each time. You consume to what allows you to feel satisfied and not overly full or bloated.

And this shouldn’t be a long-term phase. It’s not sustainable, but it is an important step in your journey back to normalcy.

For recipes and a few more examples, make sure you grab my free 3-day guide.

And if you’d like an even more extended version of that, the 15-day Extended Guide is the perfect resource for you.

Hopefully this was a helpful start for you.

Until next time,

Aubrey

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

You're Not Crazy, You Have Hidden Triggers

You’re trying.

You’re doing what they told you to.

You should be doing better.

Even just a smidge, right?

It’s making you crazy.

You just need some relief.

Sound like cycle you’ve been in before? I get it.

So many people think they are doing all the right things, eating their supposed “safe foods”, but still find themselves in and out of flares constantly, with little to no break or relief.

It’s not that you’re doing anything wrong, it’s just there can be some less obvious triggers you haven’t touched on, yet that are causing disrupt in progress. But the good news, we can get you unstuck.

Here are a few sneaky triggers that are keeping you stuck in flare-city:

1. Blood Sugar Instability. Are a lot of your safe foods carb heavy? They most likely are since protein and fat tend to be harder to digest and you wan to digest easier. It makes sense. However, overloading carbs can wreak havoc on your blood sugar and that creates so many other issues like inflammation, nervous system issues, etc.

   Solution: Try to include more protein in fat in your diet to help balance, but do it in safe ways. Protein powders, broths, etc.

2. Nervous System Dysregulation. Other than the nerve damage to the vagus nerve, you might be experiencing further dysregulation from stress, anxiety, poor sleep, etc. In order to help mitigate the issues from the Vagus nerve, you need to try to eliminate other stressors as best as possible. I know, easier said than done.

   Solution: try some deep breathing, get outside, get moving, create a bedtime routine to calm your system down to prepare for better sleep, etc.

3. Dehydration. You might either struggle getting water down or just simply don’t drink enough. Dehydration creates so many other issues besides gut issues that continue to break down your body further.

   Solution: Try adding a pinch of sea salt to your water to help replace electrolytes. Try other things that are hydrating besides water, like watermelon or watermelon juice. You can try herbal teas, broths, coconut water.

4. Medication Side Effects. Now this one is tricky, because obviously there are some medications you absolutely might need to be on, so I can’t say just drop those. But they could be preventing you from being able to heal your gut.

   Solution: always talk to your doctor about how medications might be affecting your Gastroparesis

Now, I am sure there are PLENTY of other sneaky triggers, but I know these to be the most standard ones.

If there are any you would like me to add to this list and provide solutions, please leave a comment below!

And if you would rather get some help and personalized guidance on identifying your triggers and creating a customized plan to get your Gastroparesis under control, then I am here to help.

Just schedule a free consult call.

Until next time,

Aubrey

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Tips for Managing Your Gastroparesis - Part 2

Let’s do Part 2 now! These tips are from the 17th-31st of March when we were running our March Management Series.

What’s that? All month long, over on Instagram and Facebook, I did a March Management series on how to manage your Gastroparesis with little tips EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Since some of you may not be on social media, I thought it would help you out to consolidate them here.

Some of these you might already know or have tried, but that’s okay! Everyone is on their own journey and some are at the beginning, some are in the middle and some have been at this a while. You never know which one will be the one to move your healing journey forward.

All I ask is for you to be open minded and maybe even try things again. Your body responds to different things at different times.

If you missed the first part, you can check that out HERE.

Otherwise, let’s move onto day 17-31:

17. Prioritize Protein - It is HIGHLY under consumed in those with Gastroparesis, but it is needed so badly! Prioritize each time you eat consuming a good amount of protein. If you struggle with protein digestion, look at consuming it in ways that are already helpful to you. Smoothies, soups, added into foods that are safe for you. You can get unflavored protein for these instances, too. No matter how you do it, just make it a priority.

18. Bye Bye Probiotics - I always have my clients ditch their probiotics when we start working together. A lot of times, you start taking probiotics hoping they will help, but until your motility is better, probiotics can cause more bloating and pain.
So, while I can't tell you here to ditch them, it's something to think about and maybe test out.
Obviously, not everyone reacts the same way, so this is why I do this with my clients in their customized protocol.

19. Hello Magnesium - Magnesium is used for so many things like sleep, muscle relaxation and also digestive issues and constipation.
It's a non-stimulating, non-invasive way to supplement to help your body out.
There are a few types you can use, depending on your needs.
So, if you are interested in magnesium and not sure which to take, please send me an email or comment below and I'd be happy to guide you.

20. Experiment with Textures- Try experimenting with different textures.
We've talked about liquids and soften foods, but there are other ways to include different foods.
You can steam foods, you can air-fry them, you can boil them, and on and on.

21. Eat more, earlier in your day - Today's tip is about spacing out your eating a little differently than you might be used to. Moving forward, you can eat more food earlier in the day, and stop earlier in the evening, so that you have pleeeenty of time to digest all evening. It's a little different version of intermittent fasting, but can be incredibly effective.

22. Acupuncture - This is a favorite of mine. One way I love to describe it is that it's like jumping your car battery. You put conductors on a nerve and send electrical pulses through to stimulate function of the nerve.
This was a MAJOR component of my healing. Is it something you have tried or considered?
It's also important your acupuncturist puts them in the correct spots to stimulate digestion. You should start actually feeling it move and relax.
If you would like more info on it, please feel free to Demail me and we can chat about it.

23. Acupressure - It's a similar process, just using pressure with hands and fingers instead of needles.
A massage therapist can perform this, too, so it can be a bit more accessible if you don't have an acupuncturist near you.

24. Massage - When you get a massage, it helps release tension, stress and toxins out of your body.
It opens up drainage pathways and allows your body to excrete what has been released.
It can be very healing and help with inflammation and that helps with your digestion!
Plus, who doesn't love a good massage?

25. Focus on Sleep Quality - Ever heard of Rest & Digest?
Well, it's true. Your digestive system NEEDS to rest and repair while you are asleep.
However, I know it's sort of a catch 22 because it's usually your stomach that's keeping you awake.

So, today we focus on quality, not quantity.
Don't worry right now about how much you get, worry about how well you sleep.
Make a bedtime routine to signal your body it's time to sleep.
Do your massage before bed to help your digestion.
Turn off any screens or tv at minimum 30 minutes before bed.
Keep your room dark and cool.

It won't be perfect and it won't happen right away, but your body will adjust to this and it will help you get into a rested state much quicker than before.

26. Manage Stress- Did you know that stress actually slows your digestive system down even more?
And can increase your bloating and constipation?
Yikes.
There are so many ways to de-stress.
I have a few ways to do it depending on how I am feeling:
1. Going for a walk
2. Laying on the couch watching a "brain-melting" show lol
3. Baking
These are just my favorite ways to do manage my stress.
Do you have any ways you typically turn to?

27. Set Your Daily Routine - Setting a daily routine will help you manage that stress, get good sleep, keep your mind at ease and honestly, take your focus away from your constant stomach pain.
So, start simple.
Make a morning routine that feels easy and beneficial to you.
Mine is
1. Warm lemon water
2. Snuggles on the couch with my babies
3. Workout
4. Breakfast

My body knows what to expect everyday and my brain relaxes since it knows what's coming.
My bedtime routine is similarly simple and helps trigger my body for bed.
My stomach is always calm because it knows what's happening.

Give it a shot and see how you do once you set a routine.

28. Journaling - Day 28 brings one that is a little controversial, because a lot of people think it's saying that your pain is in your head.
That is not it, at all.
Journaling helps with managing your stress.
Journaling helps with keeping track of correlations in what makes your stomach feel worse.
Journaling helps provide an escape from constantly thinking about Gastroparesis.

My clients and I always implement some form of journaling to help them understand their body even better. It's an important mindset piece to their healing.

29. Heating Pad Therapy - When you are in the middle of a flare, take a moment, lay down and throw a heating pad on your stomach.
Allow those tense feelings to relax and heat up and help move things on through.
Spend about 20-30 minutes with it on

30. Hum for Stimulation - Saving the best 2 for last.
Day 30 will directly help stimulating your Vagus Nerve.
Simply.... Humming.
Just hum for about 5 minutes before your eat and what it will do is help stimulate your nerves to kick them into gear to start the digestion process.

It's one of my clients' favorite ways to tone their nerve!

31. Stop Waiting for Doctors- Our Final Tip for the Month!
It's a little spicy, too.

STOP Waiting for Your Doctor to come up with a magical cure.

Gastroparesis is incredibly under-researched and it is also lumped into the other digestive disorders when they just prescribe a pill and tell you to go on about your business.

They don't provide good dietary information.
They don't provide symptom management.
They don't even come close to talking about how to tackle this from it's ROOT CAUSE!

Just a "bandaid" and next patient up!
I love doctors. Don't get me wrong, they have a wonderful place in the medical system and are necessary.
However, stop waiting around hoping they will do something for you and go find a way to heal for yourself.

That's what my clients have done. They stopped waiting around for answers and found me and got their health back instead of waiting for another pill, another surgery, another tube, etc.

There it is. The rest of the 31 tips!

I hope this month has given you so many options and opportunities to help yourself.
And if you'd like even more help, I am happy to go along that journey with you.

If you would like to know more about how we do that and what that would look like for you, you can schedule a free evaluation call and we will chat.

Do any surprise you? Any you haven’t tried, but think you might want to include in your routine?

Stay tuned for part two!

And, if you ever would like to chat about taking your healing to the next level and really kick Gastroparesis to the curb, please feel free to schedule a Complimentary Evaluation Call.

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Tips for Managing Gastroparesis - Part 1

Welcome to March Management!

All month long, over on Instagram and Facebook, I have been doing a March Management series on how to manage your Gastroparesis with little tips EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

And I know some of you may not be on social media, so I thought I would help you out and consolidate them here. However, you are welcome to follow along on socials so you don’t have to wait to find out the rest of the tips until the end of the month. You never know which one will be the one to move your healing journey forward.

Some of these you might already know or have tried, but that’s okay! Everyone is on their own journey and some are at the beginning, some are in the middle and some have been at this a while.

All I ask is for you to be open minded and maybe even try things again. Your body responds to different things at different times.

So, here is Day 1-16 to get started.

1. Know Your Trigger Foods - This is especially important if you are just beginning, but even if you aren't, knowing these can be a great first step. So, keep a notebook, notes on your phone or whatever is easiest and jot down a food whenever you eat it and it brings up your symptoms. This list could get long quick, but don't worry, we will learn how to shorten it right back up. Once you know these, you'll know what to stay away from until you increase your motility. Simple steps make big changes. Start here.

2. Get Moving - No, I don't mean do a crazy workout. Just a simple 15 minute walk after a meal can make all of the difference in the world for your digestive system.

3. Keep Hydrated - But Aubrey, my stomach hurts when I drink water.

   I get it, I promise and this doesn't always have to be this way, but for now we need to make adjustments in small increments. Do not chug your water or save it for all at once. Small sips and drinks throughout your entire day is what you need to do. This will help keep things moving and help with bowel movements.

4. Stick with Liquids - If you are really struggling to eat much of anything, then liquids are your friend. I don't mean the clear liquids like the doctors put you on. Liquids are a great way to give your body the nourishment it needs without making it work too hard to digestion.

   Think smoothies, juices, soups and broths. I have some guides to help with recipes, if needed.

5. Don’t Lay Down - I'm talking about after eating. Now, you have probably heard this from your doctor and they will say for 30 minutes-1 hour. WRONG.

   If you have Gastroparesis, you need longer. I recommend at minimum 1.5 hours up to 3 hours. You can still sit up, but talk that 15 minute walk and then stay sitting up for a few hours to help your body digest. This is after every single meal.

6. Eat Small Meals - Eating small snacks and meals allows your body to digest without having to work too hard for a bigger meal. This doesn't mean you will digest easily, but it's a step in the right direction.

7. Chew Your Food Thoroughly - Yes, even your liquids. Chew them. This helps stimulate digestive enzymes and the connection to your brain to start the digestion process. Chew each bite or sip 15 times!

8. Include Ginger Anytime You Can - Ginger is a great digestive stimulant that's not too harsh on the body. This can be juiced, in tea, fresh, powder, capsule(not recommended), blended, tincture, etc.

9. Peppermint Tea - It's known to be great for soothing your digetive system and reducing bloating. So, it might not be a direct Gastroparesis help, but if you can relieve symptoms elsewhere, it will help to take the edge off your GP.

10. Include Turmeric - In smoothies, soups, broth, etc. Turmeric will help reduce inflammation in your body and I could probably bet everything your body is incredibly inflamed due to all the stress it is constantly under.

11. Avoid Artifical Sweeteners - Honestly, even if you didn't have Gastroparesis, I would tell you to avoid them anyway. They are awful for your health in general, but in the terms of digestion they can cause bloating, discomfort, inflammation, etc.

12. Aloe Juice - Aloe can help soothe your stomach lining and help with healing. It also contains enzymes to help break down your food to reduce your bloating, gas and constipation. And it can help reduce inflammation. You can include it in juices, smoothies, take a shot of it on its own, add it to your water, etc.

13. Focus on Natural Enzymes - Think pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi, banana, avocado and ginger! Each contains a different enzyme that helps break down different macros to help you digest easier. Consuming these in a smoothie form is wonderful because your blender does part of the work for you!

14. Cook it Down - We talked previously about keeping a liquid diet, but some people actually don't tolerate liquids as well, so we focus on cooking food down into its softest form to help with digestion. I like to have my clients mix and match with liquids and soft foods and we build on each until they can confidently handle solids.

15. Include Fermented Foods - These look like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, kefir, miso, olives and more. Start slow with these at first, as they can be harsh for someone with Gastroparesis. Fermented foods support digestion, bowel movements, a good microbiome and so much more.

16. Reduce Inflammatory Foods - These look like gluten, processed foods, high sugar foods, fried foods, etc. This is not a forever things, but simply a reduction and honestly, if you can eliminate processed foods 99.9% of the time, you'll be better off.

Alrighty, that’s the first of them!

Do any surprise you? Any you haven’t tried, but think you might want to include in your routine?

You can check out Part 2 HERE.

And, if you ever would like to chat about taking your healing to the next level and really kick Gastroparesis to the curb, please feel free to schedule a Complimentary Evaluation Call.

Can’t wait to give you more tips and I hope to meet you and chat soon!

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

What is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner?

What is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner? What will I be doing?

First off, if you are new here, Hi, my name is Aubrey and I went through schooling to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and then also went to school to be a Restorative Wellness Practitioner- Level 1. I also am the founder/owner of Real Peel Juice & Nutrition. You can read more about my story, here.

Back to it…

The NTA program develops on a few important foundations, Nutrient-Dense Whole foods, Digestion, Hydration, Blood Sugar Regulation, Dietary Fats and Minerals. Our approach is focused on the individual. The idea of bio-individuality, meaning that each person is biologically unique, guides us away from one size fits all programs. Each person’s body functions differently, so I dive deeper to develop a unique diet and lifestyle plan to get their body functioning optimally, as it should be.

To be an NTP, we train on 3 levels. The first is like any other schooling. We read, study, do homework assignments, etc. Then, we start on the Functional Evaluation and then end with the Lingual-Neuro Testing.

To be a Restorative Wellness Practitioner, we go even deeper into the clinical side with lab testing, like the GI-Map, which is a very comprehensive stool test that I use with clients and then also food sensitivity testing, that I definitely use less often.

These two programs are like a perfect marriage to give a well-rounded clinical experience, but allows me to look at your health from different aspects. It’s not JUST “oh, eat healthy and you’ll be good.”

What’s It Like to Work Together?

So, yea, all of that above is good and well, but how does that help you?

My main focus is Gastroparesis and Digestive Health.

Most of you know that I have Gastroparesis and went through my own healing journey, but there are SO MANY people out there that suffer and the doctors have no answers. Or the answers are just trying every medication on the shelf. So, I went through my own journey and then condensed all of the best parts of it to help those suffering, start their own healing journey, and give them hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We start with a comprehensive nutritional assessment, GI-Map testing to get a good idea of what’s actually going on inside with values we can physically see, not just feel, and then everything is customized from there.

We have calls to continue to tweak and adjust your healing plan, we address the ROOT cause of your issues, not just put a bandaid on the symptoms and call it a day.

We work on mindset around healing, living healthy and how to live a life that feels right FOR YOU. Not my idea of a good life for you.

When something isn’t working, we pivot. (insert giggle here because it always makes me think of Friends) It’s truly all about you and how we can take your health back.

The best part? I’m not here to judge you, test you, talk about your weight (unless that’s something you want to do), make you live like me or anything in between. We are all doing the best we can when it comes to our health, and so I am here to be your guide, to point you in the right direction and give you the tools to get there. I am your partner in this healing journey. I am the person I wish I had when I was at my lowest.

My family and friends were amazing, but to have someone who has gone through what I had gone through would have been amazing. They get the ins and outs, truly.

Are You a Good Fit?

You might be thinking, this sounds good, but is it truly right for me? Well, let me help you out. Here is who I work with:

• Both men and women, however I truly mainly work with women, as they are the ones who mostly suffer with digestive issues. But honestly, men seem to like to try things on their own most of the time, but when they do want my help, I am here!

• Diagnosed with Gastroparesis or suffering from any of the slew of Digestive Issues (IBS, Crohns, bloating, unexplained weight gain, you name it.)

• Willing to make changes to their life, not just wanting a quick fix

• Needing someone to be there for them, guide them and know that they can do this

• Someone that knows that this is a journey, and that after the first week, you will not magically be cured. It didn’t take you a week to get sick, it won’t take you a week to get better.

And the best part is, if we aren’t a fit, THAT’S OKAY! I will always offer help any way I can, but sometimes people just don’t jive lol

On the flip side, does this sound like you?

Do you want to chat more to see if we are a fit and to learn more about the processes we go through together? Let’s Chat!

I offer a Free 30-ish minute consult call where we just talk about what you are going through and if I can help you, too. Schedule that HERE.

Until then,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Love, Aubrey

Andrea's Real Healing Story - Thrive with Gastroparesis

Introducing Andrea

Andrea was such a sweetheart to work with. She was one of my first clients back from maternity leave and really just made me excited to work helping those of us with Gastroparesis find their life again.

Fortunately, and unfortunately, Andrea hadn’t had her diagnosis long. I say that, because I would never wish this on anyone, as I am sure most of you wouldn’t, and I also say fortunately, because she didn’t let a moment go by without getting help right away.

The advice she had received from the doctors, like the ones we all have gotten, was not a path she wanted to take, so she went to searching and found me.

We had our free consult call and just went over everything. She has so much life to live and to be living without her Gastroparesis managed was just not going to cut it. She also had a lot of fear of the unknown and talking through everything with someone who has been in her shoes was so helpful.

Now, for Andrea, we had to make some adjustments, because she is a teacher. So, we started in the late Summer and got her to a point that was manageable by the time she went back to work. But that’s what this is all about. Customizing plans to get your body and health to a place that’s manageable (or more) and works around your life without feeling like you are giving up everything, or are tied to a bathroom, or are on a thousand different medications. None of that is what she wanted. So, we got to work and she did great.

Without further ado…

Meet Andrea

Do you know how you got Gastroparesis?

I am unsure of exactly how I got gastroparesis. I can assume based on talking with multiple medical professionals that it could be from COVID, but I don’t know for sure. I was diagnosed in June of 2024 after undergoing several tests and seeing multiple doctors. I was tired of feeling nauseous and losing weight without trying.

What were your main symptoms and how were you feeling before you started working with Aubrey?

My main symptoms were unexplained weight loss, feeling nauseous and grossed out with food. I had no hunger pains or appetite.

How did you find Aubrey & Real Peel?

By researching the web, I found Real Peel and decided to give it a try. I wasn’t getting any answers or help from my Gastro doctor in terms of how to deal with gastroparesis, so I took it upon myself to seek help.

What made you feel like working with Aubrey through the Thrive program was the right decision for you and your Gastroparesis?

I was apprehensive at first, but I was desperate to feel better and I was out of options. I figured it couldn’t hurt to consult with Aubrey. After our initial phone consultation, I felt that this was the right decision for me. She explained in detail of what to expect and how she could help me navigate this new diagnosis. I put my trust in Aubrey and never looked back, and I’m beyond grateful that I did.

What was the hardest thing about the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program?

The first two weeks of the program and following the liquid diet was probably the hardest thing about it.

Did you ever feel like quitting or felt like it wasn't going to work for you? If so, how did you move through those feelings?

I never felt like quitting because I always felt positive changes even if they were small. I did however have to get through a lot of discouraging times when I felt like I Wasn’t seeing the results I wanted fast enough. Texting Aubrey and video chatting with her throughout the program made a huge difference and kept up my Morale. I felt like I wasn’t alone and that I was finally talking with someone who understood what I was going through. Her encouraging words and messages were motivation to keep going.

What was the turning point for you during the program where you started feeling better? What was that like for you? Did your mind struggle with the idea of being better?

When I began getting my appetite back, not fully, but feeling the hunger pains and being a little more excited about eating again is when I felt like I can finally see the change for the better. It was really exciting and I was hopeful that this was the right thing for me. I did struggle a little bit with the idea of being better because I was afraid to have rough days and to feel the hopelessness again.

After the 12 weeks, how did you feel?

After the 12 weeks, I definitely notice a difference in my eating habits and my symptoms. I am a little bit more knowledgeable in what foods to stay away from and what foods keep me satisfied and feeling Good. I feel encouraged to keep up my hard work even after the program and I’m excited to see how much better I can feel in the future.

“I really enjoyed working with Aubrey throughout the program. I can’t think of anything that I would change.”

My Input on Andrea’s Journey

I love the question and answer format, because I like to see how they perceive their journey in comparison to how I perceive their journey. While Andrea was spot on with her feedback for herself, she also doesn’t give herself enough credit.

Her biggest struggles were mindset and time management. With her school schedule being a little hectic, we had to make adjustments to what she could eat and when and making sure that everything would align so that she could feel best during work no matter what.

It’s hard, but she did it. I always say progress, not perfection and on days where she didn’t do everything, she would tell me and I would reassure her that it’s okay. That’s life. It’s how it goes sometimes. But in the end, she continued to make that progress.

She also struggled with the fear of food, which is 1000000% normal. We worked through how to build up the confidence in trying new or hard to digest things. By the end, she had eaten STEAK! And felt totally fine, might I add. lol

She also had coworkers commenting on how strong she was and how much willpower she had to go through this and how great she was doing. Others were noticing very visible changes for her, and she was inspiring them!

I say all of this, because at the end she felt like maybe she wasn’t far enough along, and I had to remind her that she was eating whatever she wanted, she was learning what foods her body did and didn’t like, she was feeling hunger, bloating was minimal, nausea was basically non-existent and more! These are things that most of those with Gastroparesis would kill for just one moment of.

But, sometimes, being your toughest critic will get you far, because she feels like she can keep getting better which means she will keep pushing until she feels like she is at optimal health. That is a drive that not many people have.

I am so proud and honored to have had Andrea take the leap of faith and put her trust in me. It was such a pleasure to work with her and seeing her feeling better and doing so well was so exciting.

Every client is a journey and it is such an honor and joy to guide them along and watch them succeed and push through their hardest days and symptoms. I thoroughly enjoy seeing their progress from sometimes their worst moments in life, to gaining a whole new life back .It’s truly something I would never take for granted being a part of.

And if you are lost on where to start your Gastroparesis healing journey, make sure you download the FREE 3-Day Healing Guide.

If you have already done that, but are ready to move forward with your healing, let’s talk.

I offer a Free 30-ish minute Consult Call where we just talk about what you are going through and if I can help you, too. Schedule that HERE

Will you be the next Real Healing story?

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Smoothies for Gastroparesis

Smoothies are such a great thing to consume for those with Gastroparesis. 

They are a quick & easy way to “Eat” when you don’t have the energy physically, or mentally, to figure out what you can eat that won’t bother your stomach more than it already is. 

They are also a great way to get the desperately needed protein and fats that are often missing in the typical diet that those with Gastroparesis follow. 

If you have been following the diets that are given by a dietitian or your doctor, I can guarantee you they aren’t beneficial to you at all. At least, not the ones I was given and have seen in the last few years. 

We can talk more about how to get even more recipes and help in just a moment, but let’s get to why we are here today… the 3 Smoothie Recipes for Gastroparesis.

The Recipes

Blueberry coconut smoothie

• 1 cup Coconut Water

• 1 cup Frozen Blueberries

• 1/4 cup Frozen Banana

• 1/4 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

• 1/4 cup Vanilla Protein Powder

Pineapple Lime Smoothie 

• 2/3 cup Coconut Milk

• 2/3 cup Frozen Pineapple

• 1 tsp Honey

• ½ Lime (juiced, zested)

Orange, Carrot, Turmeric Smoothie 

• 1 Navel Orange (small, peeled)

• 1 Carrot (small, peeled, chopped)

• 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

• 1/4 tsp Turmeric

• 1 scoop Unflavored Collagen Powder

For all smoothies, just blend thoroughly and enjoy!

When it comes to smoothies, you can have as much or as little as you can tolerate at once. Remember, everyone is different.

What you’ll notice with these recipes is that they are SIMPLE. Not too many ingredients and every single one of them focus on getting you protein in ways that you can easily digest. 

They also focus on providing you with natural digestive enzymes to help your body digest more effectively than it normally does. 

Where to Get More Like This

I try to always provide different ways to get recipes that are easy for those with Gastroparesis to get and try out. It can be hard, because everyone has such different tolerance levels for foods, but I try to make as wide of a variety as possible.

My clients get personalized recipes based on their needs. Those on my emails get weekly recipes of all different types and varying levels of liquids and solids. 

You get lots of recipes during the Free Challenges I run every few months and those are great ways to get more information on why each recipe works with your Gastroparesis.

I have 2 ebooks that have lots of recipes and guides to follow. You can find those here.

There was also a previous Smoothie Recipes for Gastroparesis Blog you can see here. 

But, I figured it was time to do a new one.

As a reminder, these smoothies alone aren’t going to be the magic pill to help your Gastroparesis, but they provide you nutrition and make it easy with a condition that can be very complicated to manage. 

I hope you get to try them out and let me know how they worked for you.

And if you would like more information on how I can help you with your Gastroparesis in a more customized way, click here!

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Gastroparesis and Pregnancy

This has become a big topic in the Gastroparesis world lately, or at least that I am seeing, and so I thought it was about time to discuss whether or not Gastroparesis has any effect on pregnancy or the ability to get & stay pregnant. 

The short and sweet of it is….

No, Gastroparesis itself is not an issue to get and stay pregnant, nor does it have an effect on pregnancy. 

But, as we know with this condition, it’s never that simple. 

Let’s break that down. 

Gastroparesis as the condition itself does not have the effect, but it’s the problems stemming from Gastroparesis that can cause issues around fertility and pregnancy.

Malnutrition

This is the biggest issue of them all. Whether this is while trying to conceive or during the pregnancy. A lot of us with Gastroparesis have a hard time eating much of anything and even when we can, we don’t always utilize the nutrients that are available.

Your body’s ability to be able to digest and absorb the necessary nutrients is incredibly important. You must be able to sustain yourself and your baby through the 9 months. 

This also can cause issues, especially in the first trimester, because while you might be able to eat, chances are you will become nauseous or even throw up and that negates what you are eating.

A lot of OBs are not versed in Gastroparesis, so they might not know how to help. This is where you need to educate and make a plan to make sure you are consuming food in a safe manner and staying hydrated. This could look like needing IV fluids to stay hydrated. It could look like a specialized diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrition. And the two of those things could vary widely.

Hormone Imbalance

This would be another issue, but more on the fertility side of things.  

If you are malnourished, it’s also verrrrrrrry likely you are having hormonal issues as well. 

This would lead to irregular periods that would make conceiving hard, not necessarily impossible, but harder than it might have been without everything in the way. 

Medications for Gastroparesis & Pregnancy

If you are some of the medications for Gastroparesis and worry about taking them before and during pregnancy, you will need to speak with both your OB & your GI.

It might be possible to stay on them, however, if you’ve been around here long enough to know me, you know that I am not a fan of the meds for Gastroparesis. My goal for all my clients is to be able to get off those medications and let their body do the work, and for the record, I am usually quite successful in doing that.

For Men

This all generally applies to the men with Gastroparesis, too. Well, except the actual pregnancy part. But if you are a man with Gastroparesis and wondering what the status of your fertility looks like, then a lot of the above applies to you, as well.

If your health and hormones aren’t functioning well, then your body won’t create healthy sperm. Whether that looks like not enough sperm, low motility sperm, not the correct shaped sperm, etc.

So, working through your digestion and keeping nourished will help keep your hormones balanced to be able to focus on creating sperm to help with the fertility process on your end.

What to Eat During Pregnancy with Gastroparesis

Well, this is a hard one, because just like this condition, every pregnancy is different and with the condition it can make it even more different.

So, first off, if you are having a hard time eating anything at all and even staying hydrated, then like I mentioned previously, you will want to speak to your OB and coordinate with your GI to make sure they can get you taken care of with fluids and particular nutrition.

A lot of times, Gastroparesis goes into “remission” during pregnancy and you find yourself being able to eat things you weren’t previously able to. While it’s tempting to eat whatever you want, try to remember to stay on the healthier side to help both you and your growing baby!

If you do experience the remission phase, take this time to replenish your body with those vital nutrients you might not have been able to get in before. Yes, you can still totally treat yourself, but make sure you are including fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats! They are all very important to your baby’s health and growth.

If you are working with a nutritionist (like myself) or a dietician during pregnancy, then we can customize a meal plan for you to help you get all you need during this special time.

And here’s something to be hopeful about….

For some, their Gastroparesis never returns after giving birth. For others, it does, but you literally never know.

My Personal Fertility & Pregnancy Journey

My first pregnancy was through IVF. The fertility journey is a brutal one and it’s not something I would wish on anyone.

After trying for 2 years, we decided to go see a fertility doctor. I swore it was because of my Gastroparesis that I wasn’t able to conceive naturally. Turns out, I was labeled with PCOS and the possibility of mild endometriosis. This has to be confirmed by surgery and my doctor didn’t find it necessary.

So, the original thought was that my Gastroparesis had nothing to do with the inability to get pregnant. My fertility doctor even said it’s the Gastroparesis is typically not a concern before or during. 

(if you’d like to know more about IVF and that journey, feel free to contact me)

However, at the time of writing this, I am currently pregnant with baby #2 naturally and I do think it had majority to do with how I went about my digestion and health after baby #1. 

I went back and started my own protocol that I take all my clients through. I worked it hard. I focused on making sure my digestion was working properly and then fueling my body with foods that would help balance my hormones. And then SURPRISE, here comes baby #2. 

So, while Gastroparesis itself didn’t have an effect on it originally in my first attempts at having a baby, I do think the years of whacked out digestion, malnutrition, unbalanced hormones and stress played a factor in it, along with the other issues I had. 

Wrapping it Up

So, if we break it down to the simplest terms, then no, Gastroparesis as a condition itself is not an issue when it comes to getting pregnant and going through pregnancy.

There is more to it, but that’s just to ease that first concern if you are someone who is newly pregnant or considering trying to get pregnant.

If you would like to learn more about how I help my clients with their Gastroparesis, I would love to chat with you.

Just click here for more info.

I hope this was helpful and even reassuring to you.

Until next time.

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey