Your Gut Health, Continuous Glucose Monitor, Creatine, and Microplastics Questions Answered: AMA with a Nutrition Expert
I’ve compiled some great client questions from the last few weeks because there has been. a. lot. happening! So I figured if a few of you have the same questions, a lot of you probably would want a scientific, knowledgeable take on the answers. I'm not saying my ego is big enough to think I’m the only expert out there, but I have been at this for a while and I’m not trying to sell you on some pyramid scheme or miracle product. Just truths learned from 10+ years of education and student loans.
Here I’m sharing the highlights from the last few weeks - the questions that got me fired up, the biggest 'aha!' reactions, the myths I had to bust, and the practical advice you can actually use starting today. Consider this your no-BS guide to the nutrition questions that really matter.
The Questions You're All Asking
1. "Do I need to be concerned about microplastics?"
This is trending right now due to a popular documentary on a streaming service that I probably shouldn’t name for legal reasons but they used to mail me DVDs to my college dorm room.
The Real Answer: Yes, not in a fear-mongering way, but because the data is out there and it’s kind of scary.
One of the first studies to directly examine microplastic risk in humans, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2024, studied patients who had plaque surgically removed from their arteries. More than two years later, those who had microplastics in their plaque had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death than those who didn't. Stanford Medicine
Beyond cardiovascular disease, a review published in Environmental Science & Technology concluded that exposure to microplastics is suspected to harm reproductive, digestive, and respiratory health — based on findings from both human and animal studies examining hormone disruption, ovarian follicle damage, sperm and testicular harm, and lung inflammation
They also can damage our gut health, creating a permeable intestinal barrier that allows more toxins into our bloodstream, and fosters an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria
They are everywhere, and environmental regulations that protect us from further exposure are actively being dismantled. So how do we protect ourselves?
What to do:
Protect your gut: increase fiber, fermented and probiotic foods, fruits and vegetables
Don’t heat anything up in plastic. Take the extra step and take it out of the container, you can do this. This is the biggest improvement you can make to your life and even if you do nothing else it will go a long way!
Enhance your detox pathways: we can’t really clear microplastics out this way, but we can protect ourselves and support a balanced environment. Consume lots of fruits and vegetables, take it easy on the alcohol, avoid “cleanses” and schedule a chat with me if you want my take on why because I get fired up about that one.
Avoid exposures when possible: be a conscious shopper, from clothing to household goods to personal care products. Check out my favorite resource to see how your skincare adds up (hint: the most expensive stuff isn’t always better!).
Have you watched this documentary? Add your thoughts to the comments!
2. "What exactly is good gut health?"
Another question that came up multiple times! And one of my favorites.
My take: We talk about gut health a lot but no one ever explains what that means or what that looks like. More frequently, we only know what it doesn’t look like, i.e. something going terribly wrong with your gut and digestion.
Here's what I tell my clients: It’s completely individual, but good gut health looks something like this
You don’t have noticeably uncomfortable burping, gas or bloating and it doesn’t affect your social life
You’re pooping regularly, without discomfort
Things might change a little bit while off of your routine, but they get back to normal relatively soon
Your gut doesn’t rule your life, it’s just along for the ride
There are so many different, individual factors that go into this. If one of the above things resonates with you, it’s not that you don’t have good gut health, it’s just that we might need to tweak some things and help with your digestion, microbiome, brain-gut axis, etc.
The bottom line: There is no single definition of good gut health. Because our guts impact so much of our lives, striving for improvement is always a win. But you know you don’t have to do it alone, let’s chat.
3. "Should I fibermaxx?"
This is probably outdated as I type this, since if I know what it means, it’s not cool anymore.
Here's the truth: If you’re eating whole foods and trying to improve your fiber count, and not having any tummy issues, go for it! If you’re aiming to get 100g a day through pills and powders and gummies and sheer hope, um, let’s not.
Too much fiber= a science experiment in your stomach= you might poop your pants
Benefits of fiber= cholesterol reduction, improving microbiome, regular bowel movements and detoxification, increasing short chain fatty acids that our colon LOVES
Shown to reduce risk of all sorts of disease
Your individual needs vary. Work to find what agrees with you and makes you feel good. Just aim to get variety of fiber from plant foods like sweet potatoes, whole grains, legumes, leafy greens, and fruits!
4. "Is creatine worth it?"
YES, for some people, and here's the science behind it:
This is not just gym-bro territory — sweaty shirtless dudes throwing around barbells, climbing ropes, and chugging creatine protein drinks. Research is showing its role in:
→ Cognitive function and brain health
→ Healthy aging and muscle preservation
→ Energy metabolism for everyday activity
→ Mood and mental fatigue
It's also one of the most studied supplements in existence — with a long safety track record at standard doses. The concerns around kidney function are real if you have any preexisting kidney concerns. Consult your medical professional here!
There’s one thing that gets me going though, and it’s people assuming that taking creatine will magically grow your muscles for you. Bro, it won’t. You still have to get a little uncomfortable, get a little ragey, and lift heavy things. Or do yoga, or lift your kids, whatever it is that makes you happy. I personally find the biggest effects happen in my end range- when I’m sprinting, trying to “race” my neighbor at the gym although they don’t pay any attention to me, trying to power up like a Mario brothers getting special tokens, etc. That’s the biggest difference creatine has made for me, which makes sense with how it works in your body. Your experience may vary.
5. "What Is a Continuous Glucose Monitor? Do I need one?"
I talk about blood sugar A LOT.
Most people have no idea how their body responds to food in real time and now we finally get to have answers!
How CGMs Work
A little filament (I’m trying to avoid saying needle) is placed on your arm where it reads your interstitial fluid (read: not blood) to gauge your blood sugar in real time
It stays there for about two weeks so you get good data on average blood sugar responses, spikes, peaks, valleys, low blood sugar, and we can correlate it with what you’re eating, drinking, moving, or stressed about
Then we take the data and make small, sustainable tweaks to get you even blood sugar, which equals more energy, less 3pm slumps, less inflammation, less hangriness.
Why it’s important
We can see personalized glucose responses to specific foods
The "same meal, different spike" phenomenon — why two people react differently to identical foods (check out this blog post)
We see in real time the impact of sleep, stress, and exercise on blood sugar
Hidden glucose spikes from "healthy" foods (rice, oats, fruit) could be triggers for your fatigue
What we have data for, we can improve
Who Is Using CGMs (Beyond Diabetics)?
Biohackers and performance athletes (I’m saying this un-ironically)
People on GLP-1 medications
Women tracking hormonal and metabolic changes
Anyone with prediabetes, PCOS, or metabolic syndrome
General wellness consumers curious about personalized nutrition
Who shouldn’t use them*
Those who could become overwhelmed with too much data
Those who don’t like needles
Anyone with a history of disordered or restrictive eating
Those who have skin reactions to adhesives! It can be horribly uncomfortable
Honestly, if it doesn’t vibe with you, we don’t need to do it!
*I’m talking about non-diabetics here, because CGMs are gold standard for diabetics to track their blood sugar
Bottom line, CGMs have become accessible to a wider population, which is great, but they can also become a marketing gimmick. If you want to check one out, I recommend you talk to a professional about how to interpret the data.
The Questions I Couldn't Answer (And Why)
During the AMA, several people asked for specific medical advice or supplement recommendations. Here's why I can't answer those publicly:
Every body is different. What works for one person might not work for another - or could even be harmful. This is exactly why I do personalized consultations rather than giving blanket advice. It’s probably frustrating but I swear I answer 90% of questions with “it depends” ONLY because everyone is unique!
Medical conditions require professional assessment. If you're dealing with diagnosed conditions, you need someone who can review your full health picture, not generic internet advice.
Supplement interactions are real. Without knowing your medications, other supplements, and health history, I can't safely recommend specific products.
If you have specific health concerns, please work with a qualified practitioner who can give you personalized guidance.
Key Takeaways from Our AMA
After compiling all the questions, here are the themes that kept coming up:
Bio-individuality is everything - There's no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition
Symptoms are communication - Your body is trying to tell you something important
Small changes compound - You don't need to overhaul your entire life overnight
Stress affects everything - You cannot out-eat chronic stress
Patience is required - Real healing takes time, but it's so worth it
What This Tells Me About You
Based on your questions, I can tell you're:
Frustrated with conflicting nutrition advice
Ready to understand what's actually happening in your body
Looking for practical solutions that fit your real life
Tired of quick fixes that don't work long-term
And honestly? That's exactly the mindset that leads to lasting transformation.
Your Next Steps
If these questions and answers resonated with you, here's how to go deeper:
Start Small: Pick ONE thing from this post to implement this week. Maybe it's adding protein to breakfast or eating lunch away from your computer.
Get More Personalized Support: Every month, I open up a few spots for free 15-minute discovery calls where we can talk about your specific situation and see if working together makes sense.
Keep Learning: Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly tips and be the first to know about upcoming AMAs and workshops.
What Do You Want to Know Next?
The questions in our AMA were so good that I'm already planning the next one! What topics would you love me to dive into? Drop a comment below or send me a DM - I read every single one.
Some ideas for future AMAs:
Hormone health and nutrition
Travel eating strategies
Budget-friendly gut healing
Meal prep that doesn't suck
Supplement deep dive
Don’t be shy, I talk about poop all day long! Feel free to ask anything and everything.
Remember: This information is educational and not meant to replace personalized medical advice. Always work with your healthcare team for your specific situation.
