Today I want to discuss something that I have seen a major increase in over the past few months. Particularly among the healthy living blog and instagram community…..stomach troubles. People complaining of bloating, cramping, gas (TMI), food babies, or just not feeling their best after eating a certain food or food group. This usually leads to some sort of self diagnoses, an elimination diet, and then cutting out a food or food group entirely. To me it seems like a cycle of unnecessary restriction for the sake of these unexplainable symptoms.
Don’t get me wrong, I know food sensitivities and food allergies are real, but isn’t it strange that when the media or even some big blogger mentions a food they have an issue with all of a sudden a whole slew of people have trouble with it too? It’s happened with grains, dairy, CARBS in general, eggs, certain fruits.
Frankly, doesn’t it seem like EVERYONE has more ‘stomach issues’ lately. This got me thinking….maybe what we think is all in our stomach is really all in our head.
These thoughts prompted me to post this on Instagram the other day.
Based on the comments and likes I got, I can assume that some of you are thinking the same thing.
It makes sense to me that all of these stomach issues could really just be in people’s minds. Overthinking food choices, stressing about calories and micronutrients on a daily basis, and labeling foods as good or bad….that is mentally taxing day in and day out. So it’s plausible that this anxiety over food could manifest itself physically.
In fact studies have shown that stomach and digestive issues occur when we are overstressed and anxiety ridden. When we’re nervous we experience butterflies for example. So if someone is fearful of a certain food or worried about how it will affect the way they look (or feel) it stands to reason that they could feel some physical symptoms as well.
Our minds are pretty darn powerful. Like I said above, what we believe and think can become real. And this is true for things regarding our health. If we believe so resolutely that a food is bad for us or causing us issues, then it could very well start causing us issues. We could be causing the stress to our bodies simply based on how we perceive certain foods in our diet. And with all the constant conflicting information from all sides about which foods are good and bad….”low carbs!” “paleo” “80/10/10!” “low fodmap!” “no grains!” “raw veganism!“…it’s easy to see how people can start worrying about all their food choices.
In the same way that some people cut out gluten and then end up with gluten intolerances because they’ve restricted it from their bodies so much, it’s possible for people to develop physical responses to certain foods just because they truly believe they’re causing them.
It’s just hard to believe that over the past year or two EVERYONE has magically become much more in tune with their bodies and stomachs and can all of a sudden identify exactly when a food is affecting them. Honestly, I think people are a little too alarmist. When you eat, your stomach feels full, that’s just life. But people seem to overreact and think that every little bit of change in how they’re feeling is BLOATING or something seriously wrong! Bloating has become such a taboo. Why!? I realize that it happens in some people for real medical reasons. But feeling a little full after you eat does not mean it’s justified to cut out grains/carbs/gluten/’insert fear food here’.
Overall, I think we as a culture have taken thinking about food to the extreme. There shouldn’t be so much decision-making and agonizing over each and every choice we make. Think about it, do you want to be an 80-year-old person entering your daily macros into the latest calorie counting technology? What kind of life would that be?
Sometimes it’s better to just go with the flow and risk a little discomfort for the sake of mental clarity, happiness, and peace with oneself.
Don’t let food rule your life. And don’t let your mind play tricks on your stomach. Be thankful that you don’t have any serious health issues (if that’s the case) and don’t try to find ways to create them for yourself.
So next time you’re thinking that slice of bread or cup of yogurt is causing you ‘stomach troubles’, take a step back and evaluate the stress in your life. That may just be the true culprit after all.
Some interesting reads:
Are Food Allergies the New Eating Disorders?
Some of this topic is covered in this Mind Body Musings podcast with Nia Shanks
Food Allergies: Truth or Trend? (this one’s an oldie, but goodie from me!)
Do you think physical symptoms can be caused by mental struggles?
Do you suffer from ‘stomach issues’ when you eat certain foods?
What are your thoughts on the increase in ‘food issues’ (allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, etc.) over the past few years?
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39 responses to “It’s All in Your Stomach?”
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This was a very well written post! I have celiac (and have for 7 years) so that is the only thing I eliminate but I agree that our minds have the power to play tricks on our stomach and cause “phantom pains.” Stress is a HUGE factor to consider when someone has stomach issues, one that often gets overlooked. After gluten, stress is the first thing I consider when I have problems…not another food.
Thank you so much Emily! I totally understand having to cut a food out for medical reasons and I applaud you for seeking out medical help and getting an actual diagnosis!
Yes! I talk to clients all the time about how stress can be responsible for so many of their health issues. Helping someone read a food label is easy. Helping them decide to leave a job or relationship that is crushing them is harder and out of my scope. I just try to help them manage the stress the best they can and see the negative effects it is having on their body.
Sounds like you are a great role model for your clients! Stress is the cause of so many issues yet it’s so often overlooked as a source. That’s great that you emphasize de-stressing and being mindful of stress to your clients!
DEFINITELY right before I go through anything new or nerve racking I have awful awful stomach problems. For the entire month before I left home for college this year I suffered from severe digestives issues but once I settled in at college- with no change to my diet at all- it went away. The same thing happens around exams and other similar times.
Yup! Same for me! Stress definitely plays a role in how my body responds to food.
STRESS unfortunately can play such a powerful role in our lives, and how our bodies function. As a previous worry wart, I stressed out all the time about everything, and have to evaluate myself DAILY to decide what is worth the stress, and focus on the positives to make the situation feel better. Positivity has been the key to destressing for me!
I LOVE that. And I agree…PMA (positive mental attitude) can have such an amazing affect on our mood, our mind, and our body!!
I loved, loved this post!!!! I do think that we try to convince ourselves to eat something because it is “good” for us and we will all also consistently tell ourselves to avoid other foods because they are “bad”. I am grateful that I don’t have any food allergies nor sensitivities. We make food so much more complicated than it really is!
YES! We certainly overthink things when it comes to food! Simple is best.
This is a constant battle with me! I’m actually having one of my “stomach episodes” right now! As uncomfortable as it is, I think a lot of it as to do with my holiday diet and holiday stress/anxiety. It’s an awful feeling but it’s certainly is amazing how powerful our minds really are!
I agree! The mind can affect us in so many physical ways!
Props to you for writing the unpopular view point of a popular trend! I totally know what you mean. I don’t have any food allergies but sometimes when I see everyone else freaking out about something, I wonder if I need to eliminate something!
Yes, it’s very easy to get caught up in the latest ‘taboo’ food in the health world (especially the blogging world!).
Definitely a controversial topic… and someone can’t really tell a person they are making up stomach pains or tell them that it is just stress and they should just calm down and keep eating things that bother them. Though obviously if there is stress associated with eating certain foods then there are deeper issues there that need attention by a doctor of some sorts and not a friend that just thinks telling them to eat anything and everything will make it better. But I think everyone if having severe stomach issues that they believe are associated with food should see a doctor/dietitian and have them diagnose the problem not a self-diagnosis, i think you would agree with that? I have severe stomach issues that my mom did not take seriously for awhile because I had had a lot of issues in high school associated with dairy after keeping a food diary, but after months of testing I finally found out I had Ulcerative Colitis which has no pin-pointed causes but certains foods (and stress) can make a lot worse. After clearing up a lot of the colitis symptoms I still had stomach pain so I took a fructose test and found out I was intolerant to it. I also took a lot of tests in high school associated to dairy and found out I was lacking in digestive enzymes to break it down which is a similar cause to fuctose intolerance they said… kinda complicated but I don’t believe in self diagnosis and met with nutritionists/dietitians and my gi doctor to get the best recommendations for keeping my UC in control, the biggest concern health wise!
YES! I totally agree. I think any drastic changes made to your diet should be consulted on with a doctor or health professional before just implementing them. I think it’s great that you sought out the advice from professionals before making changes in your own life.
Yes it was definitely the right thing to do, I would never by choice stop eating the healthy high fructose foods and it was a huge learning process about what works for me after that. It does start with stress but from there (for me) leads to YC symptoms to basically everything healthy and unhealthy makes me feel awful. During a bad flare up I was at the point that I could only eat soup, oatmeal, bananas, and suck on pretzels until they were soft enough to swallow. It was rough, I would never cut out foods if I didn’t have too and graduated early so that I could cut out a huge stressor in my life so I can focus on healing my gut. I guess I just see how everyone has a different reason/story but more people need to be honest abot that reason- seek out medical advice if you think you really are allergic/intolerant, mental help if certain foods stress you out and if you just don’t like them tell people that! We all have different taste buds!
You have some great insights on the topic!
I have found myself wondering the same thing. It’s for each individual to consider, of course. I don’t have this problem either way, and am thankful for it, so I’ll quietly step out of the discussion now.
Yes…i am thankful as well that i don’t have problems like this either!
I definitely see this happening to some degree. Leading up to my wedding, I had stomach aches EVERY morning. Then the day after the wedding? No more stomach aches! It really was the worry that was making me sick. And now, I’m dealing with some new stressors, and can even feel my stomach churning when I start worrying about something.
Of course there are often actual physical causes of stomach issues, but apparently for me, it’s almost entirely “in my head”.
Happens to the best of us! Our minds can cause some crazy physical symptoms!
I see a TON of self diagnosing, cutting out major food groups, etc. and I’m with you, I think MOST of it is all mental. Unless there is medical reason, I don’t see the point in trying to use Dr. Google and treat yourself. Based on a lot of the symptoms I had about a year ago, I was almost convinced (thanks to the internet) that I had some sort of gluten intolerance. Thank you to a Doctor, those symptoms were caused by the fact that my blood sugar was through the roof and I was diagnosed a diabetic.
Thank you!! I agree! People rely on the internet far too often and dont seek out actual medical advice. Im happy you were able to find what was causing your issues!
I think this can be so true. I’ve also seen my boyfriend bent over in intense pain for weeks on end. And the bloat he has was feeling was not from being a little full, it’s was make a grown man want to cry pain. He had no idea food could affect him this way. He went to the doctors, they told him he was having an allergic reaction based on their initial tests and the tests to find out what he was allergic to were insanely expensive. They recommended cutting out everything and slowly adding things back to his diet. As soon as he added milk and cottage cheese, pain, whey protein, pain, wheat, pain. He has cut out whey and milk and now can tolerate gluten, although it does make him a bit uncomfortable. I laugh reading this because he is one of the few that would rather not be on the avoid ______ food diet.
I feel for your bf! It must be so frustrating to see so many people cutting out foofs without a true need!
Love this post! Makes you think twice about food allergies/sensitivities! I defiantly think that this can be true! Very unique post! 🙂
Thank you!!
I love this post! Yes most if the time is in your head, and it depends on o overall diet, do you do take out? Processed food? Overeating? And many other issues In The same day! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
This is a GREAT article, thank you! If you have food issues without an observable cause like celiac, it’s really hard to explain to people without sounding like a total kook, especially since studies on the gut-brain connection are still in the early stages, and not as well accepted as they will, hopefully, some day be – and I’d like them to be. I am always grateful to find others that being as strongly in the gut-brain connection as I do!
Thanks Nora! Glad you could relate!
I absolutely love your point of view in this post! I was having a lot of tummy troubles for over a year–I was living in a place that didn’t feel like home, was in the wrong job, generally wasn’t in a very good place in life, and was miserable from feeling sick every time I ate. These days–I live in China, work at my dream job, am part of a great community and get to do what I’m passionate about–and this being China, the food I eat isn’t always the safest or healthiest, some of it is just plain strange, yet I feel much more free to just eat what’s available, rather than stressing about choosing the right thing, and I have also been much less sick! Our mental state of health is pretty powerful, I’d say!
Thanks for stopping by! I think it’s great you were able to figure out that stress in your life was contributing to your tummy troubles! 🙂
[…] It’s All in Your Stomach? by Kaila . I totally agree with her about the hype of stomach problems. And that Stress plays a major role. I think its good that people are paying more attention to how food affect their bodies, But we can’t all be doctors! We can’t just diagnose that we are gluten sensitive, or in need for a low-cab diet from some reason. […]
That is an interesting perspective but there really are people that have genuine food allergies and there is a real science behind it. There are only two ways to know you have a food intolerance. The first is to get tested for the food allergy. Blood testing is unreliable – the best way is to get tissue samples (hair/swab from mouth) but it can be expensive. The other way is to eliminate foods from you diet one by one for a couple weeks at a time until you determine what foods did best without, but you have to be really attentive, pay attention to food labels, etc., for it to be effective. For people who have real issues and might benefit from doing this, that’s nothing to scoff at. There’s a true connection between autism, autoimmune diseases, alzheimer’s disease, etc., and food allergies. My family is going through this now. Just thought I’d tell you my perspective. I’m writing about it on my blog #sitsblogging
I appreciate your insight! I definitely agree that food allergies are real!! I guess i am just addressing people who cut then out for the sake of restriction and not medical necessity.
I agree that stressing about food and things in general can definitely make you feel crappy. But I cut out certain foods because I want to fuel my body with great food and I feel fine about it. It’s possible to have a diet that cuts out certain food groups in a positive way and have it not be stressful at all.
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