Digestible Dialogues - Happy Gut Conversations

Ep. 11 - What I Wish I Knew Before Starting the Specific Carbohydrate Diet

Starting the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) for Crohn’s or gut healing? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, confused, and alone—especially in the beginning. In this episode, I share the five things I wish someone had told me before I started the SCD Diet: honest lessons from my own journey with Crohn’s, healing through food, and navigating the emotional ups and downs along the way. 🎧 You’ll learn: Why starting simple matters more than starting perfect What to expect when healing isn’t linear How to manage social pressure and food grief When the SCD Intro Diet may not be right for you How to avoid the trap of all-or-nothing thinking — 🔗 Looking for recipes, weekly gut health reflections, and support?Join my Substack newsletter: https://happygutforlife.substack.com [https://scdforlife.com] 📚 My SCD cookbooks: Don’t Skip Dessert Vol. 1 & 2Find them at: https://scdforlife.com [https://scdforlife.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happygutforlife.substack.com [https://happygutforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 10 - From WANTED: Crohn’s End to Digital Healing — Reid Kimball on Transforming Therapeutic Diets

In this episode of Digestible Dialogues, I sit down with Reid Kimball—filmmaker, healing diet advocate, and now the creator of the Meadow Mentor app, an AI-powered tool built for anyone following therapeutic diets like SCD, GAPS, or the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). Reid is best known for directing the powerful documentary WANTED: Crohn’s End [https://youtu.be/MSmmIWelpp0?si=YoVWXSSBJuqw3XQM], which tells the inspiring, patient-centered stories of individuals who’ve used food to manage and heal from Crohn’s disease and other digestive conditions. In our conversation, he shares his own diagnosis story, how the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) changed his life, and why he believes in a holistic, individualized approach to gut healing. “After years of pain and isolation, discovering SCD was like turning the lights back on in my life.”— Reid Kimball We also explore the creation of Meadow Mentor, a groundbreaking new tool that brings tech and nutrition together to make healing easier, smarter, and more accessible. In This Episode, We Cover: * Reid’s journey from Crohn’s diagnosis at 17 to finding relief with SCD * What inspired WANTED: Crohn’s End and what he learned filming it * Why diet personalization is key (and why he’s no longer “SCD or nothing”) * A behind-the-scenes look at the Meadow Mentor app and how it works * Using AI to: * ✅ Get real-time answers to diet questions * 🥘 Create recipes from ingredients on hand * 🛒 Scan labels for compliance * 📓 Track food intake and symptoms * 🌱 Choose support styles like “Echo Punk,” inspired by environmental healing * Why even long-time SCD veterans (like us!) need accountability tools * How tech + human support can work together on your healing journey 🔗 Watch & Try 🎥 Watch WANTED: Crohn’s End (Free on YouTube): 🌿 Try the Meadow Mentor app: https://meadowmentor.com [https://meadowmentor.com]📬 Contact Reid: meadowmentor@gmail.com Let’s Keep the Dialogue Going Have you tried a therapeutic diet like SCD, GAPS, or AIP?What’s your go-to gut-friendly meal?Reply to this post, leave a comment, or share with someone on a healing journey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happygutforlife.substack.com [https://happygutforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 9 - A Gut-Healing Starch? Yes, Really.

If you’ve been following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or a similar approach for managing IBD, you might think all starches are off-limits. But what if I told you that some starches can actually support your gut lining, reduce inflammation, and help you stay in remission? In today’s episode of Digestible Dialogues, I’m diving into one of the most misunderstood food groups for those of us with gut issues: resistant starch. I’ll walk you through: * What resistant starch is—and why it’s different from the “bad” kind * How it supports butyrate production (aka your gut’s secret weapon) * Which types are SCD-friendly (hint: they’re not as rare as you think) * Smart food pairings for digestion and microbiome support * My personal approach to RS2, RS3, and Bifidobacterium after 20+ years of healing 💡 Plus, I’ve created a quick reference guide for you with SCD-legal resistant starch sources and a 3-day sample meal plan to get started. 📥 Download the free PDF here → This episode is all about building a more resilient gut—not just avoiding triggers. If you’re ready to go beyond elimination and start nourishing your microbiome, I think you’ll find this one empowering. As always, I’d love to hear your take. Have you tried incorporating resistant starches? Did it help? Hit reply or leave a comment—I read every one. Here’s to a stronger, happier gut Sherry Happy Gut For Life Thanks for reading Happy Gut For Life with Sherry Lipp! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happygutforlife.substack.com [https://happygutforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Digestible Dialogues Ep 8 - Beyond Elimination: Discover the Power of Healing Foods for a Happy Gut!

When we think about healing our gut, the conversation often focuses on what not to eat. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) outlines foods to eliminate, and for many, restriction becomes the main focus. But what if we shifted our mindset? Instead of just avoiding "illegal" foods, we should emphasize gut-healing foods that actively repair the gut lining and support digestion. That’s exactly what I explored in the latest episode of Digestible Dialogues, where we go beyond restriction and focus on restoration. Gut Healing: More Than Just Avoiding Certain Foods Many people believe that simply removing grains, refined sugar, and certain carbohydrates is enough to restore gut health. But true gut healing requires nourishing the body with nutrient-dense foods that actively repair and strengthen the digestive system. Here are some of the top gut-healing foods and nutrients that can make a real difference in your gut health journey: ✅ Bone Broth: A Gut-Healing Powerhouse Rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids, bone broth helps repair the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and support digestive health. Regular consumption can aid those dealing with leaky gut syndrome, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), and digestive discomfort. ✅ Vitamin A: Essential for Gut Lining Repair Vitamin A plays a vital role in gut barrier integrity and immune function. Found in foods like grass-fed liver, egg yolks, and orange vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash), it supports intestinal health and reduces gut permeability. ✅ L-Glutamine: Strengthening the Gut Wall An essential amino acid, L-glutamine helps repair the intestinal lining, reduce inflammation, and improve gut permeability. You can find it in cabbage, bone broth, grass-fed meats, and spinach. ✅ Zinc-Rich Foods: Boosting Gut and Immune Health Zinc plays a crucial role in gut healing, immune function, and cell repair. Oysters, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas are excellent sources of bioavailable zinc to support digestive health. ✅ Pairing Foods for Maximum Absorption How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Pairing healthy fats with fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamin A and D) enhances nutrient absorption. Try combining avocados, ghee, or olive oil with carrots, eggs, or fatty fish for better digestion and gut repair. Gut Healing is About Building, Not Just Eliminating One of the biggest takeaways from this discussion is that gut healing isn’t just about restriction—it’s about replenishment and nourishment. When we only focus on what’s off-limits, we risk missing out on powerful foods that support digestion, repair the gut lining, and improve gut microbiome balance. That’s the core philosophy behind my IBD F.O.O.D. Roadmap class! In this course, we go beyond just eliminating foods and dive deep into gut-nourishing meals, personalized food plans, and sustainable gut health strategies. 🚀 If you're ready to shift from restriction to restoration, join the waiting list here:👉 https://ibdfoodroadmap.com/Sign up now [https://ibdfoodroadmap.com/] Your Gut-Healing Journey Starts Today If you feel stuck in a cycle of food restriction, it's time to reframe your approach. Ask yourself: 🔹 Am I incorporating gut-healing foods that actively restore my digestive system?🔹 Am I getting enough nutrient-dense foods to support overall gut health?🔹 How can I make my diet about nourishment rather than just avoidance? I’d love to hear your thoughts! What healing foods have made a difference in your gut health journey? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments! 📌 Listen to the full episode of Digestible Dialogues and take the first step toward gut healing through nourishment, not just restriction. Notes from the podcast: Learn more about probiotics: https://scdforlife.com/2022/01/what-are-prebiotics-and-why-do-we-need-them.html My easy Yogurt and turmeric smoothie: https://youtube.com/shorts/_M0RIOpMugw?feature=share This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happygutforlife.substack.com [https://happygutforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep. 7: Unmasking SCD Diet Pitfalls: Are These Foods Blocking Your Gut Health?

Are you following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) but still struggling to see the progress you hoped for? In this episode of Digestible Dialogues, I uncover six sneaky foods that might be holding you back—even though they’re SCD-legal! Some of these might surprise you, especially the last two, as they’re often considered staples of the diet. From gut irritants to hidden sugar traps, I’ll explain why these foods can cause setbacks and how to adjust your approach to stay on track with healing. 💡 Highlights include: * Why a popular morning beverage might not be your gut’s best friend. * How natural sweeteners can sometimes do more harm than good. * The surprising truth about two SCD staples you probably rely on. This episode is packed with actionable tips and insights to help you customize your SCD journey for optimal healing. 🎧 Listen now on [Podcast Platform/Link] and don’t forget to subscribe for more gut health insights! P.S. Which of these foods surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happygutforlife.substack.com [https://happygutforlife.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]