LISTENING TO YOUR GUT: A COOKBOOK AUTHOR’S JOURNEY FROM RESTRICTION TO REINVENTION

WE’VE all been there pushing through the fatigue, ignoring the signals our body is frantically sending, only to end up burned out and wondering why we didn’t just listen.

- VUYLE MADWANTS

It’s easy to dismiss those little nudges (or gut punches) until something forces us to stop in our tracks.

For South African cookbook author Chantal Lascaris, this wake-up call came after a devastating bout of food poisoning that turned her relationship with food and her health completely upside down.

“I had a serious falling out with my gut,” Lascaris admits.

“After the food poisoning, I couldn’t eat the foods I loved anymore without pain. Garlic, onions, tomatoes, my kitchen staples became my worst enemies. And fermented foods? Those so-called gut-health heroes? Forget it.”

Diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), Lascaris’s journey wasn’t just about managing symptoms, it was about rethinking her entire approach to food and gut health.

Lascaris’s story is a relatable reminder that our bodies are constantly talking to us, even if we’re not always paying attention.

“Gut health isn’t about following every existing or trendy diet. It’s about tuning in and finding out what works for you,” she explains. And it’s true. Not one gut is the same. While your friend might rave about how kimchi transformed her digestion, it could be a total disaster for you. It’s not one-size-fits-all and that’s exactly why listening to your own body is so important.