For months, Joslyn couldn’t figure out why she felt exhausted all the time. She was eating well, working out when she could, getting decent sleep (well, as decent as you can with little kids). But by 2 PM every day, she’d crash hard and need another cup of coffee just to function.
Then there were the random symptoms that didn’t seem connected: bloating after meals, joint aches, and this brain fog that made simple decisions feel impossible. I kept suggesting she see a doctor, but all her tests came back normal.
We assumed this was just “being a mom with young kids.” Turns out, it was the supposedly healthy foods she was eating every day.
Food sensitivities aren’t the same as food allergies
When kids have a peanut allergy reaction, it’s obvious and immediate. Food sensitivities are sneakier. They cause low-level inflammation that builds up over time, making you feel crappy without any clear cause.
The frustrating part? The foods causing Joslyn’s problems were ones we thought were good for her.
The usual suspects (that might surprise you)
Legumes and grains (yes, even the “healthy” ones)
Joslyn was eating quinoa bowls, lentil soups, and adding soy protein to her smoothies thinking she was crushing her nutrition game. But legumes and grains contain lectins—plant proteins that are hard to digest and can irritate your gut lining.
Gluten gets all the attention, but there are tons of non-gluten lectins that can cause problems. Plus, these foods contain phytic acid, which blocks mineral absorption. So you’re not even getting the nutrients you think you’re getting.
Soy is especially problematic. Research shows it’s one of the top triggers for IBS symptoms, and it’s hidden in almost every processed food under names like “natural flavoring” or “vegetable protein.”
Dairy (the betrayal)
Three out of four adults can’t properly digest lactose, but Joslyn kept eating Greek yogurt every morning because she thought she needed it for protein and calcium. The pasteurization process also changes the protein structure, making it harder to digest even if you can handle lactose.
When she gave up dairy for two weeks, her chronic congestion disappeared. Turns out, that constant need to clear her throat wasn’t allergies—it was the yogurt.
Nightshade vegetables
This one shocked us both. Bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant—these are supposed to be healthy! But they contain alkaloids and lectins that can trigger inflammation in sensitive people.
Joslyn noticed that her joint aches were worse on days when she had a lot of tomatoes or peppers. Not everyone reacts to nightshades, but if you have mysterious aches and pains, they’re worth investigating.
Wheat (and it’s not just the gluten)
Even people without celiac disease can react to wheat. It contains multiple problematic compounds beyond gluten, including agglutinins and amylase trypsin inhibitors (ATIs). These are the wheat plant’s natural pest deterrents, but they can cause inflammation in humans too.
How we figured out what was bothering her
The elimination diet sounds miserable, but it’s actually pretty simple:
- Pick one suspected food group and cut it out completely for 1-2 weeks
- Keep a daily journal of how you feel—energy levels, digestion, mood, sleep, any symptoms
- Reintroduce the food and see what happens
- If symptoms return, you’ve found a trigger
We started with the most common culprits: dairy, gluten, then soy. I helped by cooking elimination-friendly meals and not keeping trigger foods in the house during testing periods.
What Joslyn learned about her body
After experimenting for a few months, she discovered that soy and dairy were her main triggers. Within hours of eating soy, she’d feel bloated and foggy. Dairy caused congestion and digestive issues.
She didn’t have to eliminate these foods forever, but she learned to eat them occasionally instead of daily. The difference in her energy and mood is remarkable.
The bigger picture
Food sensitivities often develop when your gut health is compromised by stress, antibiotics, or other factors. As you heal your gut with good nutrition and lifestyle changes, some sensitivities may resolve.
But the most important thing we learned? Just because a food is “healthy” doesn’t mean it’s healthy for YOUR body. We’re all different, and what works for the fitness influencer on Instagram might make you feel terrible.
Trust your body
If you consistently feel crappy after eating certain foods, don’t ignore it just because those foods are supposed to be good for you. Your body is giving you information—listen to it.
The goal isn’t to eliminate everything and live on lettuce. It’s to figure out which foods make you feel amazing and which ones drain your energy. Life’s too short to spend it feeling bloated and exhausted.
— Derek
To your health!
Derek Opperman
Chief Wellness Officer at LifeUP
“I help parents reclaim their energy — not just physically, but emotionally too. Because when you feel better, everything in your life lights up: your parenting, your patience, your purpose. My approach is about small changes that ripple out into big transformation.”
