Daily Nourish Hub by Meenu Balaji

[meenu-64]

Feeling bloated often? Your gut might be trying to tell you something.

Bloating isn’t always just about eating too much—it can be a sign of something deeper going on in your digestive system.

Here are a few common reasons why you might feel bloated regularly:
• Food intolerances: Even healthy foods like dairy or gluten can trigger bloating if your gut doesn’t tolerate them well.
• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): When bacteria that should stay in the large intestine start overgrowing in the small intestine, it can lead to gas, bloating, and discomfort.
• Imbalanced gut microbiome: A lack of good bacteria and an overgrowth of the wrong kind can affect digestion and cause bloating.
• Low stomach acid: Without enough acid to break down food properly, your gut has to work harder—often resulting in bloating and heaviness.

Bloating is common—but it’s not normal.
Let’s explore your gut signals, understand the root cause, and find gentle, sustainable ways to feel better.

[meenu-64]

“I used to eat pasta, pizza, and parathas without a problem… now they leave me bloated, foggy, and exhausted. What changed?”
The answer: Our food did.

Modern wheat isn’t the same as your grandma’s.
It’s been bred to be fluffier, stretchier, and “better” for baking—but not better for your gut.

🧪Plus, there’s glyphosate (a chemical used to speed up harvesting) that may be messing with your gut bacteria.
And let’s be real—our microbiomes are already struggling thanks to stress, antibiotics, and ultra-processed everything.

So if you’re reacting to gluten today when you didn’t 10 years ago…
You’re not imagining it.
It’s not a trend. It’s a modern gut-health issue.

Have you felt this shift too?

Gail and Zora Alberto Anirudh Arsh Sandhu Kulin Karina Moruzan Barbara Berger Damodhara M

[anirudh-42]

Meenu Preethi Balaji Great post! Yes, I have surely felt this shift. Especially with Pizza’s and Paratha’s. Is there anything we can do to not feel this way or is it best to avoid these foods?

[tch-meenu-1]

Anirudh Thank you! Yes, you can eat these foods less often. But if wheat is a staple, try low-gluten varieties like Khapli, which is also called Emmer. Try sourdough bread instead of regular bread. They are easier to digest.

[anirudh-42]

Meenu Preethi Balaji Makes sense…Will surely try next time!

[pankaj]

Meenu Preethi Balaji
how is Sharbati Wheat from madhya pradesh, is it low gluten?
also i read, that mixing green jackfruit flour helps reduce its sugar level in one of ted talks. is it true?

[meenu-64]

Pankaj Soni Yes, it is a lower gluten variety. Jackfruit flour is a great choice for people with diabetes. The only thing is the digestibility. So you can start mixing in smaller portions to regular flour to check.

[anirudh-42]

Meenu Preethi Balaji Hearing a lot these days about starting your day off with soaked nuts. There are few who recommend this and a few who say it’s a fad and does not do much for health.

What’s the truth here? and what’s the best way to consume them according to you?

[meenu-64]

Thanks for the question Anirudh Soaking nuts like almonds, remove the anti nutrients in them. Therefore, it becomes more digestible. But pine nuts, pistachios or Brazil nuts needn’t be soaked.

Also, don’t skip almonds just because you forgot to soak it.

[alberto-8]

I am a happy user of MYT (My Yoga Teacher). My Yoga Guru, Ram, recommended me to have something done regarding my weight which being 70 years old, has been a little bit out of control. Then is when he recommended me Meenu Balaji, a wealth and diet guru of MYT. I have been working with her for two months. She recomended me a new eating style that me and my wife starting following. This style involved the reduction of calories and fat, especially saturated fats. She added legumes with very tasteful stews and soups that were organized in a diet that had many good choices and alternatives following my life style and previous eating habits. I reduced the amount of red meats which I replaced with other proteins such as fish, poultry and legumes. I drastically reduced the alcohol use, which was never a problem to me. As a result, I lost 4 kgs in 6 weeks!. Now, I am in a plateau that Meenu is helping me to break…hopefully down! I am adding three photos of some replacement plates, taking direclty from my diner table, such as skinless chicken, salmon with sweet potatoes and lentils stew. By the end, we felt that after doing these changes, Meenu is taking us into a healthier eating for a better life!

[meenu-64]

Thank you for sharing your experience Alberto . It’s great to see the dietary changes you have made and the positive impact. Your commitment to improving your health is an inspiration to every one.

[anirudh-42]

Alberto thank you for sharing your story!

[anirudh-42]

Meenu Preethi Balaji “Beyond the usual ‘eat your veggies,’ what are a few specific, less common foods you recommend for boosting overall energy and well-being?”

[meenu-64]

Anirudh that’s a wonderful question! My go to choice would be seasonal veggies based on where you live. That’s nature’s way of giving you the right foods.

Less common foods would be turnip greens, which are great sources of calcium, beets and watercress for antioxidants, and to support the detox system.

[meenu-64]

You eat healthy. You train hard. But is your brown rice sabotaging your gains?

Here’s what is not often discussed:

Brown rice has higher levels of arsenic, a Group 1 carcinogen.

That’s not just bad news for your long-term health—new research links chronic arsenic exposure to:
• Obesity (yes, even if you eat clean!)
• Slower glucose uptake by muscles
• More fat storage via cytokine IL-6
• Heart disease & high blood pressure
• Epigenetic changes that affect DNA & metabolism

One study showed a clear dose-response between arsenic levels and weight gain, especially with regular rice intake.
Even low-dose exposure decreased GLUT4, the protein that helps your muscles absorb glucose.
That means poor blood sugar control and more fat storage—not ideal for your fitness goals.

Quick tips:
• Rinse rice thoroughly
• Use more water and drain after cooking
• Rotate your carbs: try white basmati, millets, quinoa
• Don’t rely on rice every day

Train smart. Eat smart. Protect your progress.

Alberto Gail and Zora

[meenu-64]

Here are some beautiful images, shared by @gail-40. Thank you Gail

🥬Beautiful veggies this year. And Swiss Chard and snap peas from our garden.

Doggies and me having fun on the bike.

Kale, apples and salmon dinner.

[annelise-2]

You’re an inspiration, Gail.

[anirudh-42]

Meenu Preethi Balaji Gail and Zora these are just beautiful:)

[gail-40]

annelise piers
Thank you so much, Annelise. YOU are my inspiration!

[gail-40]

Thank you Anirudh!