Go With Your Gut

Energy drinks have become a normalized part of everyday life, but what happens when high-caffeine products become deeply embedded in college campuses, athletics, and youth culture?In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I take a closer look at the growing presence of energy drinks and the ways these products are being marketed to teens and young adults. From college campus pop-ups and free samples to athletic sponsorships and social media, energy drink companies have found countless ways to make these products feel like a normal part of studying, sports, and everyday life.I break down what high doses of caffeine can do to the body, including how caffeine blocks the brain's fatigue signals and can contribute to a cycle of fatigue, poor sleep, and reaching for another stimulant. I also explore the cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and why serious adverse events can occur even in people without a known heart condition.We also take a closer look at what is actually inside these drinks. Ingredients like taurine, guarana, yerba mate, B vitamins, L-carnitine, ginseng, and adaptogens can create the impression of a healthy, performance-enhancing product, while the combined effects and appropriate dosing of these ingredients are not always well understood, particularly for those under 18.So if energy drinks aren't the answer to fatigue, what is? I discuss the underlying reasons we may feel tired, from sleep debt and dehydration to nutrition, blood sugar regulation, and chronic stress. I share practical strategies for building more sustainable energy through sleep, nutrition, hydration, morning light, movement, and lower-caffeine alternatives like green tea and matcha.Most importantly, this conversation asks us to look beyond the can and consider why so many young people feel like they need a stimulant just to get through the day.If you're a parent, student, athlete, educator, or anyone looking to better understand caffeine, energy drinks, and sustainable energy, this episode is for you.https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/122662https://acsm.org/exercise-energy-drinks/https://www.todaysdietitian.com/acsm-releases-new-recommendations-warnings-on-energy-drink-safety/Learn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normafloodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/Produced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/

What if your child's biggest challenges became the doorway to a whole new way of advocating for them?In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I sit down with Jamie — mother, advocate, and founder of Uniquely You Magazine — to talk about her journey navigating her son's developmental and communication challenges, and how it reshaped the way she thinks about food, advocacy, education, and possibility.Jamie shares what she learned through nutrition, gut health, and genetics as she worked to understand her son's needs. Shifting toward whole foods and removing trigger foods brought his first real breakthroughs, decreasing seizures. Targeted detoxification cleared even more behavioral symptoms.Her son's participation in Triada's PEARL study revealed harmful chemicals still hiding in his "safe" diet. Once Jamie added organic, higher-fiber foods, he came out of a fog — his eye contact improved and he became more responsive than ever before.Beyond food, we dig into what it means to meet children where they are, why not every child learns or communicates the same way, and the real obstacles families face advocating for accommodations and alternative approaches within the school system.Finally, Jamie shares how she turned her personal experience into a larger mission through Uniquely You Magazine — a publication sharing stories, resources, and opportunities within the disability community — and her vision for building even more support for families like hers.If you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or anyone wanting to better understand neurodiversity, advocacy, and the many paths to supporting it, this episode is for you.Sign up to get Uniquely You or view past issues & see ways to share stories or find resources: Indiana: https://linktr.ee/uniquelyyouindianaMichigan: https://linktr.ee/uniquelyyoumichiganLooking to learn more about Uniquely You or Advertise: schedule with Publisher Jamie Olson here: https://calendly.com/jamieolsonuy/uniquely-youFacebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UniquelyYouIndy/To learn more about Triada World visit:Website: www.triadaworld.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriadaGroup.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triada_institute/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triada-world/Health Research Institute: https://hrilabs.org/elaris.health: https://elaris.health/Learn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normafloodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/Produced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/

What if eating a nutritious, balanced meal could be as simple as building a bowl?In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I sit down with culinary-trained registered dietitian nutritionist Wendy Jo Peterson, author of Bowls for Dummies, to break down the simple formula behind creating flavorful, nutrient-packed bowls at home.Wendy Jo shares how to build a bowl using grains, vegetables, protein, sauces, and crunchy toppings—and how this flexible approach can help you add more variety, fiber, and plant foods to your diet. We also talk about the connection between food variety and the gut microbiome, making healthy eating easier for busy families and individuals, introducing new foods to picky eaters, and practical meal-prep strategies for keeping nutritious ingredients ready to go.Plus, Wendy Jo demonstrates how one bowl can become countless different meals depending on what you have in your fridge.If you want to eat more variety, make healthy meals feel less complicated, and get creative in the kitchen, this episode is for you.To learn more about Wendy Jo Peterson’s work visit:Website: Justwendyjo.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwithwendyjo/ Bowls for Dummies: https://www.amazon.com/Bowls-Dummies-Wendy-Jo-Peterson/dp/1394401841/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rLWfqYer8Jbf0nXiriS3wdE3Ch-anNSuOMJpHSJ6Q6U105VQceIy9568UsmwTShjSuTfqhm2FA-uVEWRcNPSMZFpzoIPBKZ5ZFrMH08uEWiZSboDuhQRA0B71g09SnQhdnKTnqiNVks6p_VK98PuVRykdqsnxjZ6-OOfUZT9sLti6Rz7F1XEi6tDit86dAgqSchaFttQ2YdaI0XPaTwnAqugb9yCRZKpSRVx5cSpT44.1xyMSUTM2SnHwbZYvfXBlSnaQl1jxZA4oorddZoWgiQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bowls+for+Dummies&qid=1787140659&sr=8-1Learn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normafloodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/Produced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/

What if the health of your gut begins with the health of the soil?In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I sit down with the scientists behind Triada World to explore how the health of our soil shapes the health of our food—and ultimately, our own well-being.Together, we unpack how modern agricultural practices, pesticides, heavy metals, and PFAS ("forever chemicals") impact soil health, nutrient density, the gut microbiome, and chronic disease. We also discuss why regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum as a promising solution for restoring both human and environmental health.We take a closer look at Triada World's groundbreaking PEARL Study, which examines the connection between environmental toxins, nutrition, and health outcomes. The researchers share how simple interventions—including organic food, clean water, and nutrient support—led to measurable improvements in participants over just 12 weeks.Whether you're passionate about nutrition, curious about regenerative farming, or simply wondering how to make healthier choices in an increasingly complex food system, this episode offers a fascinating conversation that will change the way you think about the journey from soil to plate.To learn more about Triada World visit:Website: www.triadaworld.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriadaGroup.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triada_institute/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triada-world/Health Research Institute: https://hrilabs.org/elaris.health: https://elaris.health/Learn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normafloodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/Produced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/

How does unpasteurized milk make a difference in dairy?In this episode of Go With Your Gut, I sit down with Kevin Muno, founder of Perennial Pastures Ranch, to explore one of the most debated foods in nutrition: milk.Together, we unpack the differences between fresh, unpasteurized milk and conventionally processed dairy, discuss how modern food production has changed the way we consume milk, and explore the role regenerative farming may play in both human and environmental health.We also discuss Triada World's groundbreaking research initiative, which aims to examine the connection between soil health, animal health, milk nutrient density, and human health outcomes through what the guests describe as a first-of-its-kind study in the U.S. comparing fresh, unpasteurized milk with conventionally processed milk.Whether you're dairy-free, a milk lover, or simply curious about the science and controversy surrounding dairy, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation that challenges assumptions and encourages you to ask deeper questions about where your food comes from.To learn more about Kevin Muno & Perennial Pastures Ranch visit: Website: perennialpasturesranch.comInstagram: @perennialpasturesranchTo learn more about Triada World visit:Website: www.triadaworld.orgTo learn about Natural, Unpasteurized Milk's Benefits:https://triadaworld.org/our-blog/f/raw-milks-immune-benefitsLearn more about my work at https://www.normaflood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@normafloodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@normafloodrdnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaflood23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norma.flood.nutritionistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-flood-ms-rd-4bbb1515/Farm videography by Dylan BertiProduced by Marley Huggins: https://www.marrrmedia.com/