20/06/2025
Is Better Gut Health Costing You More Than It Needs To? A Personal & Practical Look at Gut Support
This year, I made a commitment to myself.
Not the half-hearted, start-on-Monday kind. But a real, conscious, deeply personal commitmentāto focus on my health. Not just in the physical sense, but in every way that truly matters.
Emotionally.
Mentally.
Energetically.
And as part of that, Iāve developed a fierce desire to be informed, not just sold to, or to sell too.
For as long as I can remember, Iāve struggled with my weight. And I know Iām not alone in that. For me, the layers go far beyond food. Thereās been stress.
Hormonal chaos.
Mental health battles.
Trauma.
And while all of these have played a role in how I carry weight on my body, what I carry in my mind and heart has been just as heavy.
So, as I dig into this new chapter, Iām peeling back the layers. I want to understand the systems inside me. Not just follow trends, or jump on shiny solutions. And that led me to gut healthāone of the most hyped-up health frontiers in recent years.
But is it all itās cracked up to be? And more importantlyā¦ is it worth the price weāre often asked to pay?
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š Let's Chat About Supplements
Letās talk straight. Thereās no shortage of gut health supplements on the market. One of the most popular is a bright pink powdered drink, marketed as a microbiome miracle. It comes in sachets, tastes sweet, and promises balance, energy, regularityāyou name it.
& .... it works for many, but not for all.
& .... If you're like me, you typically fall into the ānot for allā column.
& ....That isn't the only factor.
Hereās the price: about $140 AUD for 30 days. Thatās $4.66 a day for something that may or may not suit your individual body.
And hereās the reality: According to the NHS (UK), āthereās little evidence to support many of the health claims made about probiotics,ā though they acknowledge they may help with specific conditions like IBS. So while some people may absolutely feel better taking them, the science is still cautious. [NHS Source]
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š„¬ Then Thereās FoodāWhole, Accessible, Proven
Through this ongoing learning journey, Iāve also discovered that everyday foods can offer just as muchāif not moreāsupport for your gut.
According to Australian health sources, four key food types nourish gut health naturally:
1. Fibre-Rich Foods ā Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains. š«š š
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2. Fermented Foods ā Yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha.š«š„¤
3. Prebiotic Foods ā Garlic, onions, bananas, asparagus.š§š§
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4. Healthy Fats ā Salmon, chia seeds, flaxseeds, omega-3-rich foods.šš±š¾
I started to really see how I could build better gut health, simply by feeding my body what it naturally thrives on.
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šø Cost Breakdown: Supplement vs. Everyday Gut Nourishment
Gut Support Option Approx. Daily Cost (AUD)
Pink gut health drink supplement $4.66
1 Banana + Ā½ cup Greek yoghurt $1.20
1 tsp chia seeds + 1 boiled egg
$0.90
Ā½ cup sauerkraut (homemade/bulk) $0.50
Wholefood Gut Support Total
=$2.60
Thatās nearly half the cost, and honestly? It feels better to know that Iām supporting my body with real food, real nutrients, and a more in-depth understanding of what it needs.
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š§ More Than Gut HealthāItās About Reconnection
This journey is not just about digestion or weight loss for me. Itās about finally tuning into my body in a new way. Itās about reconnecting to whatās going on beneath the surfaceāphysically and emotionally.
My goal now isnāt just to shrink or change my bodyāitās to understand it. To unlock the patterns that have lived in me for years. To offer myself compassion, not criticism. To nourish myself, not punish myself. To support the parts of me that have carried too much, in silence, for too long.
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š¬ Final Thought
If youāre like meāon a journey of wellness thatās more than skin deepāknow that you donāt need to spend hundreds to heal your gut or reclaim your health. You just require curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to start where you are.
Because healing isnāt just about what you add to your routine. Itās about what you begin to understand, embrace, and honour within yourself.
With love ā¤ļø and all the space š you need āØ
Julie Van Der Harst š¼
