Decision Tree — Digestive Capacity & Nutrient Processing

This may apply if:

• You feel overly full after small meals
• Digestion feels slow, heavy, or incomplete
• You bloat easily even with simple foods
• Eating feels effortful

What this often means:

Your digestive system may be operating with limited capacity, conserving energy rather than processing efficiently.

Your first focus:

🟡 Nourish

Nourishment here means digestibility, not quantity or complexity.

What helps first (gently):

• Smaller, simpler meals
• Warm, well-cooked foods
• Eating slowly and without distraction
• Consistent meal timing

Avoid for now:

• Large or complex meals
• Raw-heavy or overly fibrous foods
• Eating on the go or under stress

This may apply if:

• Foods trigger unpredictable symptoms
• Reactions vary day to day
• You feel inflamed after eating
• Tolerance feels inconsistent

What this often means:

Your gut may be reactive rather than resilient, often influenced by stress, load, or nervous system input.

Your first focus:

🔵 Regulate

Regulation reduces threat signals that amplify gut reactions.

What helps first (gently):

• Calm, unrushed meals
• Reducing sensory stimulation while eating
• Gentle nervous system support
• Eating familiar, tolerated foods

Avoid for now:

• Aggressive elimination diets
• Constant food tracking
• Forcing exposure to “problem foods”

This may apply if:

• You eat well but feel depleted
• Hunger returns quickly after meals
• Nutrient deficiencies persist
• You feel better when eating less

What this often means:

Intake may not be translating into usable nourishment. The body may be conserving or redirecting resources.

Your first focus:

🟢 Stabilize

Stability allows the body to rebuild trust in digestion and absorption.

What helps first (gently):

• Consistent meals
• Simple food patterns
• Reducing digestive stress
• Supporting regularity

Avoid for now:

• Constant dietary changes
• Supplement stacking
• Chasing root causes prematurely