#180: When Gut Issues Make You Afraid to Eat: A Conversation with Digestive Expert Anna Mapson

Rebuilding Trust With Your Body

If you’ve ever felt afraid to eat because of how food makes you feel (bloating, cramping, unpredictable trips to the bathroom), this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Anna Mapson, a registered nutritional therapist who specializes in IBS and digestive health, and who understands the delicate balance between managing gut symptoms and maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

We talk about how food fear can develop when you’re constantly trying to avoid symptoms, how that overlaps with disordered eating, and why simply cutting out more foods isn’t the answer. Anna shares her compassionate approach to gut healing that focuses on adding variety back in, not restricting even more.

We also discuss:

• Why elimination diets can backfire long-term
• The importance of working through food fear
• How to build trust with your body when your symptoms feel out of control
• Practical tips for expanding your diet without flaring your symptoms

Whether you're navigating IBS, other gut issues, or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you feel less alone, and more hopeful about your path forward!

Resources Mentioned

- Download Free Resources for IBS on Anna’s Mapson’s Website

- Connect with Anna Mapson on Instagram

- Listen to Anna’s Podcast: Inside Knowledge for People With IBS

Read the full episode show notes here.

Resources for Your Intuitive Eating Journey

• Intuitive eating education on the blog
• Work with Katy
• Explore the self-paced mini-course Stepping Off The Dieting Rollercoaster

Connect with Katy Harvey

Website: KatyHarvey.net

Instagram: @katyharvey.rd

Facebook: KatyHarveyRD

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