That heavy, pressured, food-isn't-going-anywhere feeling after meals is one of the most exhausting GI symptoms to live with and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down why food can feel like it just sits in your stomach for hours, what's actually driving that slowdown, and why standard testing often misses it entirely. Digestion that is underpowered, depleted, or stuck in survival mode has a real path forward and this episode walks you through exactly what's going on.

In This Episode

• Why the "brick in your stomach" feeling is a digestion slowdown, not a broken body
• What good digestion actually feels like and why low stomach acid is so often missed
• Why "healthy foods" can sometimes make symptoms worse
• The vagus nerve, nervous system, and why you can't fully digest in fight-or-flight
• A real client case study and why sequencing matters as much as the protocol

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

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Reflux is one of the most common symptoms we see… and also one of the most misunderstood. Most people are told it’s either too much stomach acid or not enough, but many still feel stuck even after trying both approaches. In this episode, we take a step back and look at reflux through a more complete lens. While its easy to assume reflux means "too much" or "too little" acid, its more nuanced than that. It often involves how your body is handling it, including factors like pressure, motility, and how well that “lid” between your stomach and esophagus is functioning.

In this episode, Dr. Heather covers:

• What reflux, heartburn, and GERD actually are
• Where low stomach acid fits in
• Why betaine HCl can sometimes make symptoms worse
• How pressure, bloating, and motility influence reflux
• The difference between typical reflux and upper reflux (LPR)
• Hidden triggers like hiatal hernias, stress, and constipation
• Simple, practical strategies to start reducing symptoms

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

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If you feel like your food just sits there like a brick or you’re bloated after meals, burping, dealing with reflux, or still constipated no matter what you try…

There’s a good chance one of the most important parts of digestion is being overlooked.

In this episode, we’re talking about low stomach acid: what it actually does, how to know if yours might be low, and why it can impact everything from bloating and reflux to constipation, iron levels, and even SIBO.

Because here’s the truth:

You can be taking magnesium, probiotics, fiber, or even iron…but if your digestion isn’t working well at the very top, your body may struggle to break down, absorb, and move food the way it should.

This is one of the biggest patterns we see in women who feel like they’re doing everything right…but still have GI symptoms

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

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Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

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Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

Burping after meals? Bloated by the end of the day? Constantly gassy no matter what you eat? In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down what your gas might actually be trying to tell you. From low stomach acid and slow motility to SIBO, dysbiosis, and bile flow issues, you’ll learn why gas is often more than just an annoying symptom. Gas is a clue that digestion is breaking down somewhere. She also walks through what different types of gas and bloating can mean, plus simple ways to start getting relief and stop blaming food for a deeper gut issue.

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

If you’ve treated SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) before and either nothing changed… or things got worse… this episode is for you!

Because what if it’s not just bacterial overgrowth?

In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, Dr. Heather Finley breaks down one of the most overlooked reasons women stay stuck with bloating, food reactions, sugar cravings, and “gut protocols” that never seem to fully work: SIFO, or small intestinal fungal overgrowth

You’ll learn why SIFO can look a lot like SIBO, why it’s often missed, and why repeated antibiotics, low stomach acid, restrictive diets, and chronic stress can all create the kind of environment where fungal overgrowth can thrive.

Loved this episode?

If this episode gave you a new perspective on your symptoms, make sure to:

• Subscribe to the Love Your Gut podcast
• Leave a rating + review (we pick a winner every month to win a free HTMA bundle. Simply screenshot your review and email to happygut@drheatherfinley.co)
• Share it with a friend who’s been told “it’s just SIBO”

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

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Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

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Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

If you’ve ever been told you have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and immediately felt overwhelmed by what to do next, this episode is for you. Because while a diagnosis can feel like a relief after being told “everything is normal,” it often leads to more confusion: antibiotics, elimination diets, supplements… and still no clear plan. In this episode, Dr. Heather is breaking down what actually matters after a SIBO diagnosis and why so many people stay stuck in the cycle of temporary relief and recurring symptoms.

We’re shifting the focus away from just “killing bacteria” and toward understanding why the overgrowth happened in the first place, so you can take a more strategic, sustainable approach to healing.

You’ll learn:
• The biggest mistake people make right after a SIBO diagnosis
• Why antibiotics alone often don’t prevent SIBO from coming back
• The different types of SIBO and why that changes treatment
• How restrictive diets can keep you stuck longer than you think
• The key systems that need to be supported for lasting results

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

Low ferritin and digestive issues like SIBO are often treated as completely separate problems. One is considered a blood lab issue, the other a gut issue. But clinically, these two patterns frequently overlap.

Many people struggling with SIBO, bloating, or constipation also find their ferritin stays stubbornly low despite taking iron supplements or increasing iron-rich foods.

In this episode, we unpack how digestion, the microbiome, stomach acid, and inflammation can all influence iron absorption and regulation. When you understand that all of your symptoms are connected by shared underlying root causes the path forward becomes clearer!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why ferritin sometimes stays low even when you are taking iron supplements
• Where iron absorption actually occurs in the digestive system
• How bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can interfere with nutrient absorption
• The role inflammation and hepcidin play in regulating iron levels
• Why low stomach acid can contribute to both SIBO and poor iron absorption
• Emerging research around hydrogen sulfide SIBO and mineral metabolism
• The clinical patterns we often see in clients with both digestive issues and low ferritin

If you’ve ever wondered why your iron levels don’t seem to improve despite doing everything “right,” this episode will help you start connecting the dots.

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

Protein is one of the most talked-about nutrients right now, but the conversation often misses the bigger picture. In this episode, Dr. Heather sits down with registered dietitian, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of Rachael’s Good Eats, Rachael DeVaux, to talk about why protein matters for far more than muscle building.

They break down how protein impacts blood sugar, digestion, cravings, and energy throughout the day and why so many women are unintentionally under-eating it. Rachael also shares practical strategies for building satisfying meals, reducing the 3PM crash, and supporting gut health without restrictive dieting or complicated tracking.

If you’ve ever felt tired in the afternoon, constantly hungry between meals, or unsure how to actually eat enough protein without feeling overly full, this conversation will give you a simple place to start.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why many women are unknowingly under-eating protein
• The connection between protein, blood sugar stability, and digestion
• What the 3PM energy crash may be telling you about your meals
• Why eating substantial meals can support gut motility and reduce bloating
• How protein and fiber work together to support gut health
• Practical ways to increase protein without feeling heavy or overwhelmed
• Simple breakfast ideas that can stabilize energy for the entire day
• Why reducing food stress can improve digestion and overall health

Rachael also shares some of her favorite quick recipes from her new cookbook The High-Protein Plate, along with realistic tips for busy families who want nourishing meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Resources Mentioned:

Rachael’s new cookbook: The High-Protein Plate: 100 Satisfying Everyday Recipes

Follow Rachael on Instagram

Visit her website

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!