What I Eat in a Day (When My Gut Is Cooperating)

Let’s just start with this: I don’t eat chicken, I avoid seed oils like the plague, and I have an unshakable love affair with Starbucks—just don’t come at me with coffee. I’m a matcha girl, through and through. 💚

Living with chronic GI issues means every day is a bit of a gamble. But on the good days—when my gut is calm and my body’s not staging a silent protest—this is what a typical day of eating looks like. Spoiler: I’m a grazer. I eat small portions over a longer period of time because big meals? They don’t usually sit well. Slow and steady wins the digestion race.

🌞 Morning

Hydration First Thing

Before I even think about food, I sip a glass of water on the way to work. It helps wake up my digestion gently.

Breakfast (Light + Easy)

1. A slice of sourdough toast with ghee or smashed avocado (this is my favorite!!)
2. A couple of bacon egg bites from Starbucks (no chicken, but eggs are still in the lineup!)
3. Sometimes I’ll do a bowl of granola and yogurt, but I keep it small—too much fruit in the morning can be risky 🙃

Matcha Moment

If you know me, you know this is sacred. I’ll do homemade if I’m feeling fancy (matcha + creamer + whatever milk/substitute I have on hand), or I hit up Starbucks for an iced matcha latte (with coconut milk, I do like to add a little vanilla in there if I’m feeling fancy).

Is it slightly overpriced? Yes. Do I care? No.

☀️ Mid-Morning Snack

I try not to go too long without eating, or my stomach throws a tantrum.

1. A few gluten-free crackers
2. Sometimes just a banana or some cucumber slices with sea salt

The goal here is light, clean, and satisfying without waking the inflammation beast.

🥗 Lunch

This is usually my trickiest meal, so I keep it simple and seed-oil free:

1. I LOVE sushi (not fried of course) - so anything fresh is good with me.
2. Wild-caught salmon or grass-fed beef
3. Maybe a side of jasmine rice if I’m hungrier than usual

I keep everything mild—no aggressive spices, no onions or garlic bombs—and aim for food that feels comforting and easy to digest.

🍵 Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

This is where I resist the siren call of coffee and grab more matcha or a calming tea (peppermint, chamomile, or lemon balm are faves). Sometimes I’ll have:

1. A little squeeze pack of yogurt
2. Or a “snacky plate” with sliced veggies, or fruit

🌙 Dinner

Smaller and earlier is the name of the game. If I eat too late or too heavy, it’s game over.

1. Baked white fish or a couple of all beef meatballs
2. Roasted squash or mashed cauliflower
3. Herbal tea to wind down (especially ginger or fennel)

💛 The Honest Truth

Some days this all goes out the window and I survive on toast, crackers, and tears. Other days, I actually feel kind of like a functioning human. But this rhythm—light meals, clean ingredients, grazing all day long—helps me stay in tune with what my gut needs.

Eating with a chronic illness isn’t about perfection. It’s about paying attention, adapting constantly, and still finding little joys—like that first sip of iced matcha on a calm stomach. ☁️