Navigating the Dietary Matrix

01

From Chaos to Clarity: My Gut Health Kickoff

For years, my gut felt like a glitchy program I couldn’t debug. Doctors threw a lot at me: GERD (stomach acid taking a joyride), gastritis (inflamed stomach drama), gluten issues, food allergies, and an overactive gallbladder.

The symptoms? Well, here’s a short list to start – nausea, burning pains, bloating, headaches, rashes, vertigo, and acid reflux. Eating became less of a meal and more of a gamble.

My health became the ultimate code to crack. I began logging every variable – foods, symptoms, and patterns. It didn’t take long to realize that tracking what I ate and how it impacted me was the key to unlocking the clarity I needed. That’s why I created productivity and dietary tracking tools, now available in my Etsy shop, including grocery lists, meal planners, and movement mindset trackers to help streamline the process. I’ve also found some incredible tools from other sellers that align with my tracking and productivity approach. Continue reading to dive into why tracking is so important, or just tap below to skip to what made my do not eat list:

Inspired by my mom’s need for easier tracking, I created a digital planner with larger fonts for readability on iPads and a user-friendly printable version. No need to log every detail, just track key ingredients, sleep, hydration, movement, and mindset without the overwhelm.

After lots of love (and mom-approved testing), it’s finally available now!

You can grab my digital download on Etsy for $0.99:

You can grab my 100-page journal version of this on Amazon for $6.99 (Softcover – best used with pencils since the pages are thin)

Hardcover Premium Print $24.99:

For journaling pros and macro-counting enthusiasts, this all-in-one tracker is a powerful tool. However, it may feel a bit overwhelming for beginners, so it’s best suited for those with more experience.

I found this on Amazon. ~$25 (prices may vary)

Meet your new health-conscious grocery sidekick!
I designed this tech-inspired, editable list for my family to keep shopping organized. With 5 core categories, an Overflow Bin, and space for notes, meal planning, and budgeting, it keeps us on track minus the unnecessary stuff. Quirky, functional, and built for smoother grocery runs.

You can grab my grocery template on Etsy for $0.99:

When you’re starting to keep an eye on your food, a simple food scale can really help. No need for anything fancy. Just grab a budget-friendly scale to get accurate numbers and make your tracking a little easier. You don’t have to count everything right away, but being aware of portion sizes can make all the difference in the long run!

What I used to decode my portions. You can find it on Amazon. ~$11 (prices may vary)

Looking for some journaling goodies to level up your tracking game?

My sisters and I are obsessed with these creative markers. The colors pop, and the way the pens glide on paper is pure perfection. Instant mood boosts every time we use them!

What I used to bring my ideas to life. You can snag them on Amazon. ~$16 (prices may vary)

Just sharing some of my doodles! I’m no Picasso. Hey, everyone starts somewhere, right?

Disclaimer: I may earn from affiliate links, including as an Amazon* Associate, at no extra cost to you.

Ditching the Danger Foods: What Works for Me and Recipes I Love

I came to one conclusion: my plate needed a serious overhaul. Here’s the greatest hits list of all the foods I had to say goodbye to:

Foods I had to Avoid/Limit for:

• Gastritis, GERD, and IBS: Spicy foods, fried foods, acidic fruits (like oranges and tomatoes), caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. They’re like troublemakers in your stomach, causing reflux and irritation when you’re trying to keep things chill. 😖
• Gluten Sensitivities: Wheat, barley, rye, and anything suspiciously “gummy.” If it’s got gluten, it’s like a rogue app running in the background, slowing everything down. Time to uninstall! 🛑
• Food Allergies: Eggs, chicken, turkey, shellfish, sesame, and barley. Reactions vary in severity, with some being mild and others more pronounced. 😬
• Gallbladder Drama: Fatty meats, full-fat dairy, and oils that don’t play nice. These fatty offenders are best avoided to keep your gallbladder from staging a revolt. 🤢
• Dairy Sensitivities: Milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and anything creamy that doesn’t sit well. It’s better to run the lactose-free version. 🚫🥛
• Colon Care: Processed meats, overly salty snacks, and sugary desserts. These are the junk files in your system, clogging up the works. It’s probably best to limit them for a healthier, faster operation! 🗑️

There are times I sneak in a bite of the foods I miss, proving that perfection isn’t always the goal. Thanks to some nutrition tracking wizardry, I’ve found I can slowly reintroduce some foods, and it’s usually a win. I’ve engineered some creative recipes that actually work for me. Stick around, and I’ll share the source code for flavor success!