208: Finding Food Freedom + Pleasure Beyond Food | Ali Bonar

In this episode, we not only discuss why you're experiencing unexplained, mysterious symptoms that no doctor can pinpoint, but I also share my own health struggles that I've been dealing with since 2020—struggles I haven't shared much about on Instagram or other social platforms. There seems to be a HUGE link between people who had COVID, like I did back in 2020, and current health issues that either haven’t gone away or only seem to flare up intermittently. If you've been dealing with symptoms like exercise intolerance, a racing heartbeat, anxiety that comes out of nowhere (even when you know you're not fearful or anxious about anything), insomnia, waking up to pee 3-5 times during the night, or symptoms of a UTI but the tests always come back negative, then keep listening. These side effects and reactions are just a few of the many random, mysterious issues that could be linked to histamine intolerance, which is also tied to COVID. I speak with Michelle Shapiro, who explains in more detail what histamine intolerance is, which foods and wellness routines trigger it (such as exercise, vitamin C IVs, drinking bone broth, and other popular “wellness regimens” many of us do) that could actually be hindering your health and causing these so-called “flare-ups.” We discuss why these symptoms may come and go in flares, and why some days or months we feel fine, but then suddenly experience a loss of energy, skin rashes, and chronic gut issues that last for weeks. Speaking of gut issues—if you feel like your digestion has never been the same since you had COVID, there could be a connection. Michelle breaks it all down and explains how we can take steps to get our lives back. There’s good news, though! Please save this episode to reference later, share it with a friend or family member, and post it on social media so others can benefit from listening. Topics and Issues Covered: - Long COVID (people are STILL suffering!) - Symptoms of histamine intolerance, such as:   - Increased heart rate   - Frequent urination   - UTI-like symptoms without a UTI   - Gastrointestinal issues   - Insomnia   - Joint pain   - Anxiety (even though you’re not anxious)   - Unexplained symptoms - Mysterious symptoms that no doctor can pinpoint - POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) - How wellness routines may actually be causing a “flare” - Foods to avoid if you have MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) - Supplements that may irritate MCAS - Supplements that help with MCAS (histamine intolerance) - How to get tested for histamine intolerance / types of tests - What causes histamine intolerance - The connection between long COVID, mold, and histamine intolerance - How to heal and get your life back! As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By:  Manukora Head to MANUKORA.com/DIGEST to get $25 off the Starter Kit Fatty15 For 15% off the starter kit go to fatty15.com/digest Pique Tea piquelife.com/digest for up to 15% OFF and freebies Nuzest Go to nuzest-usa.com/bethanyspantry Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

First Update since going public about mold in my lung. How I am feeling “in the moment of recording” Random side effects from mold Am I sick or is it just the mold? Discouraged yet encouraged Encouragement for those also suffering with mold As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By: Our Place Go to fromourplace.com and use code DIGEST for 10% Bite For 20% off, use code DIGEST at trybite.com/digest  Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

For anyone trying to conceive now, planning to in the next year or two, or even considering having kids in 5 or 10 years, or perhaps you're over 40 and have lost hope in having children—this episode is exactly for you! So basically, if you're a woman, this episode is a must-listen. In today’s interview, I sit down with Ronit and Vida, best friends and the co-founders of WeNatal, a prenatal supplement designed not only for women but also for their male partners.   We bust a lot of myths about fertility, such as improving egg quality, the misconception that fertility is only a woman’s issue, conceiving after 40, and even how some "health routines" may actually be hindering egg and sperm quality and count. Many people don’t realize that practices like saunas, cold plunges, and even something as simple as touching receipts could make it more difficult to conceive.   We also discuss what to avoid when trying to get pregnant, as well as foods to consume and other things to implement to support conception and a growing baby. Most importantly, this episode truly empowers and gives hope to any couple trying to conceive—whether later in life or after several miscarriages. So many women feel alone in this journey and struggle to figure things out, and this interview could be the podcast episode that helps turn things around for you. I hope you enjoy it and that it brings some light to your day and life.   Topics Covered: - Misconceptions about infertility   - Egg and sperm myths   - Conceiving after 40   - The decline in fertility rates   - Common factors inhibiting fertility and what to avoid   - What to consume for optimal egg quality   - Lifestyle factors that help and harm fertility   - What men SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be doing to help fertility   - Miscarriages   - Ways to increase egg quality   - Drinking raw milk, runny egg yolk, and eating sushi while pregnant   - When we should start taking a prenatal if we plan on getting pregnant in the future   - When to STOP taking a prenatal after birth   - Postpartum depression links   - Why we need prenatals even if we are eating a nutrient-dense diet   - Specific things to look for when choosing a prenatal   - What to avoid in prenatals   As always, if you have any questions for the show, please email us at [email protected]. And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it, and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Sponsored By: Fatty15 For 15% off the starter kit go to fatty15.com/digest LMNT Get your FREE sample pack with any LMNT purchase at drinklmnt.com/DIGEST  Pique Tea piquelife.com/digest for up to 15% OFF and freebies ARMRA For a discount use code DIGEST at tryarmra.com  Check out WeNatal https://wenatal.com Blog https://wenatal.com/blogs/wenatal  Instagram www.instagram.com/we_natal  Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

I have included the top CANDIDA-fighting antifungal foods in the list we are going to go over today. You can make some delicious recipes with these ingredients too and I also have some suggestions - so be sure to save this episode right now before you forget so you can reference it if and when you need it as well as share it with someone you think would benefit from hearing this episode.  This list includes some surprising probiotic and antifungal foods that you might not have realized would help rid your Candida and keep things at bay. There are also some foods that will help your body’s own detoxification processes, and foods that will help to heal your intestinal walls. PRODUCTS MENTIONED: Raw Whole Food Iodine Pure Brown Seaweed Extract L-Glutamine Powder As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored by: BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Go to bioptimizers.com/digest and use promo code DIGEST during checkout to save 10%  Seed Go to seed.com/digest and use code 25digest for 25% off Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

We can go three weeks without food, three days without water, but only three minutes without air. If you care about the food you eat, the water you drink, and the personal care products you use, then you should also care about the air you breathe and how air quality affects your health in more ways than you might think! Everything from your immune system, digestive health, skin health, allergies, and even sleep can be influenced by the air we breathe. It can either improve these issues or make them worse. Today, we’re going to discuss how to improve our air quality, even without fancy or expensive solutions. I’m joined by Mike Feldstein, the inventor of Jaspr. Mike previously worked in the mold abatement and fire restoration industry, where he saw a huge lack of options for families trying to live cleaner and healthier lives after being exposed to mold and natural disasters. He set out on a journey to create something that was not only effective but also beautiful, and he is making waves in the hotel and school industries, as well as in our personal homes. Click here for a discount (for a limited time only) Topics Discussed: Symptoms from unhealthy air Why air quality matters Mold—We All Have It Where dust actually comes from How cooking pollutes the air Why removing all toxic chemicals from the home doesn’t mean you’ve cleansed the air Staying indoors Being outdoors Tips for having cleaner air without investing in an air purifier Creating a clean space for a baby’s room Hotel rooms Rugs Limiting exposure to mycotoxins What purifiers don’t work How Jaspr actually works As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By:  Jaspr - Click here for a discount (for a limited time only) Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website Discounts & My Favorite Products My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

In this episode, I’m getting into my recent diagnosis of a mold infection and the unexpected journey that brought me here. I’ll share my personal experiences, from growing up in a Victorian home with mold issues to dealing with health struggles after COVID. I’m shifting gears to document my symptoms, treatment, and reflections in real time. Join me as I navigate this challenging path, sharing insights and interviews along the way. It’s going to be a candid and informative journey, and I hope you’ll stick around! As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By: ARMRA For a discount use code DIGEST at tryarmra.com Black Lotus Shilajit Go to https://blacklotusshilajit.com/ and use code DIGEST  Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds) Discounts and My Favorite Products

Infertility, bone loss, Candida, anemia, and Alzheimer's are all sadly very common these days. However, one mineral has shown promising results in several studies to combat them all and more. Today, we are talking about what it is, where to get it, and how to take it! As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By:  Black Lotus Shilajit Go to https://blacklotusshilajit.com/ and use code DIGEST  Our Place Go to fromourplace.com and use code DIGEST for 10% Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

Can fasting help or harm a woman? Is time-restricted eating the same as fasting, or is it different? These topics are quite controversial, and we dissect them all in today’s interview with Mindy Pelz, author of Fast Like a Girl and her newest book, Eat Like a Girl. If you are trying to conceive, have your period, or are working to get it back and regulate your hormones, fasting could be the key to unlocking your goals. Mindy discusses the RIGHT way to fast because women should not be fasting like men. We dive into how to do it properly and what foods to eat during different times of the month.  For those who are postmenopausal or in perimenopause, we talk about how fasting can also be beneficial during these stages of life. We explore the positive effects fasting can have on gut health, IBS, candida, SIBO, leaky gut, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even diabetes, which is a common misconception for those with type one and type two diabetes. We also discuss whether teenagers should be fasting and at what age women should begin fasting for their health. Fasting is not only the hot topic of today’s interview; the way we break a fast and our first meal coming off a fast is just as important. The first meal is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so Mindy breaks it down and shares insights about the different foods we should be consuming, seed cycling, and so much more! Topics Discussed: Should women fast? Can fasting help regulate hormones? Can not fasting harm gut health? Are low-carb diets harming women's health? Should women going through menopause practice intermittent fasting? At what age is it appropriate to begin fasting? Infertility and fasting Foods to eat during certain times of fasting How to fast during your cycle How to break a fast (foods to eat!) Benefits of fasting for gut health, IBS, SIBO, and leaky gut Time-restricted eating vs. fasting Fasting for perimenopausal and menopausal women Myths about keto, low carb, and fasting for women Fasting myths for diabetics How the body detoxes when fasting Who shouldn’t fast As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By: Equip Foods Code DIGEST gets you 20% off at Equipfoods.com/digest  Fatty15 For 15% off the starter kit go to fatty15.com/digest Pique Tea piquelife.com/digest for up to 15% OFF and freebies AquaTru Go to AquaTru.com enter code: DIGEST at checkout for 20% off Connect with Dr. Mindy Pelz Website Instagram YouTube Books Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

Foods that have been scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety naturally!  Topics Discussed: As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By: BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough Go to bioptimizers.com/digest and use promo code DIGEST during checkout to save 10%  Seed Go to seed.com/digest and use code 25digest for 25% off Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)

Every single woman needs to listen to this episode....and I don't say that lightly! Today I am talking with Dr. Lorraine Maita who specializes in hormone replacement therapy and we discuss the reasons why women should go on HRT, such as not only helping bone loss but actually reversing it, perimenopause, menopause, helping you get pregnant and carry a child to term, and what hormones do for our body beyond, reproduction such as sleep, depression, and even digestion. We also talk about the best ways to get your hormones tested because blood just isn't enough to measure. Even the methods to take estrogen are important and taking the pill is actually not recommended, so we talk about the safest ways to do that and if there are any risks involved in hormone replacement therapy. I know there's a lot of stigma around it especially when it comes to breast cancer, so we get into that as well. Whether you are 20 or 80 years old, you need to be informed in what we discuss in this episode and it can certainly help every single person who listens, I can guarantee that. Topics Discussed: What HRT and BHRT is How HRT can help with bone loss How HRT can help with menopause HRT and pregnancy Symptoms of low hormones  Common myths about HRT including breast cancer concerns How to take HRT When to take HRT Patches, Pills, and Cream (and which ones are best and which ones we should avoid) How to get your hormones tested and the best methods Why we should not stop HRT cold turkey Side effects from HRT Who should NOT be taking HRT As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at [email protected].  And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app.  Sponsored By: LMNT  Get your FREE sample pack with any LMNT purchase at drinklmnt.com/DIGEST Manukora Head to MANUKORA.com/DIGEST to get $25 off the Starter Kit Equip Foods Code DIGEST gets you 20% off at Equipfoods.com/digest Check Out Lorraine: Feel Good Again Institute Vibrance For Life Instagram Facebook Linked In Check Out Bethany: Bethany’s Instagram: @lilsipper YouTube Bethany’s Website My Digestive Support Protein Powder Gut Reset Book  Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds)