Have you ever wondered what a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive system eats? Probably not, and I don’t blame you as the thought never crossed my mind either, until I came across an article recommended by my mom who is all about healthy eating. The one and only Doctor Vincent Pedre shares with us his suggestions on gut-friendly eating. Dr. Pedre is an internist in New York and is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital. He received his medical degree from the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 15 years. For someone who has experienced Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) first hand and spent more than 15 years helping thousands of patients overcome their own digestive distress, he has basically mastered the art of gut-friendly eating.
There is no perfect diet that suits all of us well. While various foods affect everyone differently, there are certain dishes Dr. Pedre always bypasses when he sees them on a menu. Dr. Pedre opts for anti-inflammatory foods that have been proven to give him an energetic boost. Will they do the same for you? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all diet—but if Serena Williams or Michael Phelps gave you tennis and swimming tips, you’d probably at least try them out, right?
Here are the 4 foods Dr. Pedre avoids- and what he eats to maintain a healthy digestive system instead:
1. Cereal and Milk
Cereal is loaded with sugar and is off-limits for Dr. Pedre. Plus, he finds that dairy runs down his immune system, making him more prone to getting sick. “I call myself a seasonal dairy eater because I’ll eat a little of it in the summer when there are not as many viruses going around,” he says. “The rest of the year, I’m 98 percent dairy-free—it just works better for my gut.”
Instead, Dr. Pedre makes a morning power smoothie of natural fruits and vegetables. “It’s filling enough that it holds me over until lunch,” he explains. “And the protein works as a natural energizer.”
2. Coffee
Dr. Pedre used to be a “but first, coffee” kind of guy, having one cup every morning. Sounds familiar right? But after weaning himself off it, he found that it was better for his gut—and his energy levels. “The transition was rough,” he admits. “The first few days I had headaches, even though I was only used to having one cup of coffee a day. But after about five days, I actually started to feel even more energized than when I was a coffee drinker.”
Instead, he recommends drinking matcha or powdered green tea. “It has anti-cancer benefits and the L-theanine balances out the caffeine, giving a calmness.” Dr. Pedre’s ritual of having a mug in his hand still lives on only this time it is with something else in it. I don’t know about you, but I already wrote down matcha on my grocery list.
3. Sandwiches
Before Dr. Pedre cut out gluten, a midday sandwich used to be his go-to lunch. But he discovered that this option made him super sleepy. “I need to be as alert for my patients at 5 p.m. as I am for the ones in the morning,” he says. “It’s hard to do that when you’re having energy swings—eating a sandwich made me want a nap!” Guess what Dr. Pedre? I completely agree with you on this one. Eating any type of carb, especially sandwiches or pasta makes me super sleepy as well. Most of my classes are after lunch and no wonder I am always thinking of a place around campus to nap at.
Instead, he opts for a grain bowl, typically made with brown rice, veggies, and wild-caught fish. “I call myself a Paleo-vegan because while I do eat meat, I still think vegetables are the most important part of the diet for their vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits,” he adds.
4.Pasta
Given Dr. Pedre’s gluten-free life, he can’t take the shortcut most of us take of warming up ramen noodles in the microwave for dinner. Rather, he loves a good burger on wheat bread. “If I don’t eat meat, I start to feel low energy,” he admits. “But I always make sure to get organic, grass-fed meat.”
Removing the food items mentioned above from your everyday life is hard. At least for me, I know I could not live without coffee or could I? I challenge you to try the healthy food replacements Dr. Pedre recommends and to eliminate the concept of dieting. Instead look at it as carrying a “Healthy Living Lifestyle.” The word dieting brings a connotation of stress and having to place harsh restrictions on you. I invite you to change your lifestyle for a better and healthier future you.
Love and Inspiration,
For You,
Always,
Vero