From Bloated to Better: Meet Your Heinen’s Wellness Consultants
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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The information in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing persistent or concerning digestive symptoms, have a diagnosed medical condition, or have questions about your individual health needs, please consult your physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
Can you use a little support on your health journey? Seek no further than Heinen’s Wellness Department! Here you will find friendly, caring, and passionate individuals who specialize in a variety of wellness-related topics.
Whether they help a customer choose the right supplement for their health or take them on a Club Fx store tour to point out the healthiest options in each department, Heinen’s Wellness Consultants make wellness their business!
Today I’d like to shine the spotlight on Irene Gaspar, Wellness Consultant at Willoughby Heinen’s.
Irene has an impressive 48 years of experience in the wellness space. Having been raised holistically, she admits this is really the only way she knows how to live!
I recently sat down with Irene to pick her brain on the most common challenges she hears from customers visiting her department. Without hesitation, she replied, “Oh, that’s easy! I call it ‘American tummy turmoil’.”
Well, that certainly got my attention because it wasn’t what I was expecting. She went on.
Irene: American tummy turmoil is a phrase I use to describe the cluster of symptoms I hear customers complain of: heartburn, acid reflux, burping, gas, and constipation—with heartburn and reflux being the most common.
Mel: Wow, that’s interesting! I expected you to say something like sleep difficulties, weight gain, menopause relief, and osteoporosis.
Irene: Oh, I get those too, but American tummy turmoil is by far the most common. I’m often surprised to learn that many customers have been suffering from at least one of these symptoms for 2-4 years or more. It’s like they’ve grown used to feeling this way and just deal with it. Or they take an over-the-counter antacid, which only provides temporary relief and doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
Mel: What is the “root” of the problem in your opinion?
Irene: It can be lots of things, but I’d say chronic unmanaged stress and the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) play a big role. You know, a diet of processed foods. White flour products, frozen dinners, fast food, snack foods, and sugary treats and beverages are staples, and fresh produce is eaten only sometimes. This sets up a storm of digestive problems, including heartburn and reflux.
Mel: Why do you suppose that is?
Irene: Well, if you think about it, the state of our gut health depends on what we feed it. Too much stress also affects it. The beneficial bacteria in our gut thrive on fiber and resistant starch from fresh produce, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains… You know, all the foods we promote in our Club Fx program. If we eat too much processed food, there’s simply no room for fiber. Not only that, but the SAD diet also feeds unhelpful bacteria, creating inflammation and leaky gut, which is increased intestinal permeability.
Mel: So, what advice do you typically give to someone with American tummy turmoil, specifically heartburn and acid reflux?
Irene: I always start by addressing diet. I suggest eliminating trigger foods first, like tomatoes, citrus, spicy foods, chocolate, and high-fat and/or greasy foods. Then we talk about what a healthy diet should look like, basically a Club Fx-style of eating.
Mel: What next? Are there any supplements you suggest?
Irene: Believe it or not, many customers respond very well to alkaline water and aloe vera juice.
Mel: What? Irene, you amaze me. Please tell me more!
Irene: I suggest they replace all their usual beverages with 9.5 alkaline water for at least two weeks. In addition to that, I recommend daily Lakewood Organic Pure Aloe Juice, which uses the inner leaf of the aloe plant and has much less natural sodium than whole leaf aloe juice. I suggest 4 ounces in the morning on an empty stomach and then 4 ounces before bed. Aloe juice can help soothe irritation of the esophagus, support digestive health, and reduce the symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Mel: Does this work?
Irene: Most customers return after two weeks and report feeling so much better. Some customers need a little extra support. So, I will suggest adding a plant-based digestive enzyme supplement like Enzymedica Acid Soothe. But I must emphasize that they only achieve more long-term relief when they improve their diet. Without that piece, their success will be limited.
Mel: I love that! Food first is always the way to go. And if that doesn’t fully alleviate the problem, it’s helpful to know other remedies out there can help. Thanks so much for your time and expertise, Irene! I always appreciate learning from you.
Key Takeaway
If you’d like to meet Irene or any one of Heinen’s Wellness Consultants, stop by the Wellness Department of your local Heinen’s and introduce yourself today! They can’t wait to help you feel your best.
*Check with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements to your regimen.
