Nishtha Patel - The Gut Expert / Functional Medicine

Nishtha Patel - The Gut Expert / Functional Medicine Nishtha is a clinical nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner. Specialising in Gut health

31/07/2026

AD | Digestive enzymes are not all the same.

Different enzymes are needed to help break down different components of the food we eat.

Gluten Dairy Enzymes from contains clinically researched Tolerase®️ G, an enzyme designed to target the breakdown of gluten.

It also contains protease and lactase enzymes to support the breakdown of dairy proteins, including casein and beta lactoglobulin, as well as lactose.

I like that it is a targeted formula rather than a general digestive enzyme, with each enzyme included for a specific purpose.

Take one capsule with a meal, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

This product is not a replacement for a gluten free or dairy free diet and is not suitable for people with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.

27/07/2026

Things you’ll never catch me doing as a gut health expert 👇

I’ve built my whole routine around protecting my gut, and these are the habits I’ve let go of for good, plus what I do instead:

1️⃣ Reaching for coffee the second I wake up ☕

Caffeine can increase cortisol, which is one of the reasons I personally don’t reach for coffee first thing. I start with a glass of water, eat something and then have my morning cuppa.

That doesn’t mean coffee before breakfast is automatically bad for everyone. It’s about understanding how your own body responds.

2️⃣ Eating in a rush or on the go 🏃‍♀️

Digestion starts in your mouth. When you eat quickly, you’re more likely to chew less and swallow more air, which can contribute to bloating and digestive discomfort.

I try to sit down, slow down and chew properly. Such a simple habit, but one we often overlook.

3️⃣ Buying detox teas 🍵

Detox teas don’t detox your body. Your liver and kidneys already have sophisticated systems for doing that.

Many detox teas work more like laxatives and can cause cramping and diarrhoea. If you’re regularly causing loose stools or diarrhoea, there’s also the potential to alter the gut environment and microbiome.

Your gut doesn’t need quick fixes. It needs consistency. 💛

Save this as your reminder and tell me below, which one are you guilty of? 👇

21/07/2026

You’re not bad at looking after your gut. You’ve just been sold a few myths.

Every week I speak to someone who’s cut out bread, bought the detox tea and still feels worse than when they started.

So let’s clear a few things up.

Being gluten free isn’t automatically healthier. Unless you have coeliac disease or a genuine sensitivity to gluten you may simply be swapping one food for another that’s often more processed with a longer list of ingredients. Your gut doesn’t always thank you for that.

Detox teas don’t cleanse your gut or your body. Many simply make you go to the toilet more. That might feel like progress for a day or two but going to the toilet more often doesn’t mean your gut is healthier.

And here’s one that surprises people. A little bloating after eating can be completely normal, especially after fibre-rich foods that feed your beneficial gut bacteria. The bloating that’s worth paying attention to is the kind that’s painful or keeps happening and starts affecting your quality of life.

So if you’ve been wondering what you’re doing wrong you might not be doing anything wrong at all. You may just have been following advice that wasn’t right for your gut.

Be selective about who you take gut health advice from. Social media is full of confident opinions but confidence isn’t the same as evidence.

Save this for the next time someone tells you to reset your gut and send it to the friend who’s still got detox tea in the cupboard.

Which of these myths caught you out? Let me know below. 👇

14/07/2026

Most people blame stress.

But sometimes your gut could be playing a bigger role than you realise. 🚩

Here are four signs it might be worth paying attention to:

🧠 Brain fog, forgetfulness or struggling to focus. Your gut and brain are constantly communicating, and changes in your gut microbiome may influence how you feel and think.

🌙 Poor sleep or waking during the night. Stress, blood sugar balance and gut health can all affect the quality of your sleep.

✨ Skin that keeps flaring, whether it’s acne or eczema. Your gut plays an important role in regulating inflammation, and for some people this can be reflected in their skin.

😮‍💨 Feeling anxious before the week has even started. Your gut and nervous system are closely connected, so looking after your gut may also help support your resilience to stress.

The important thing to remember is that gut issues don’t always start with digestive symptoms. Sometimes the first clues appear elsewhere in the body.

If any of these sound familiar, it may be worth taking a closer look at your gut health. 💛

Which one do you notice most often? Let me know in the comments below. 👇

12/07/2026

Two ingredient cookies, no added sugar and ready in about 20 minutes. 🍪

All you need is a couple of ripe bananas and some desiccated coconut. Mash the bananas until smooth, mix in the coconut until the mixture becomes thick, then shape into small rounds and bake for around 15 minutes until lightly golden.

That really is the whole recipe. No flour, no eggs, no refined sugar and nothing complicated.

The riper your bananas, the sweeter these will taste, so this is a lovely way to use up the spotty ones sitting in your fruit bowl. They come out soft in the middle with a light golden edge, and they are just as good warm from the oven as they are the next day with a cup of tea.

What I love about them is their simplicity. You are getting real fruit, fibre and healthy fats from the coconut, without the additives you often find in shop-bought biscuits.

A little note though, natural sugar is still sugar, so if you are watching your blood glucose or you are very insulin resistant, enjoy one or two after a meal rather than on an empty stomach.

Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, a lunchbox treat or something a little sweet after dinner without the heaviness.

Save this one for the next time a craving hits, and share it with someone who would love an easy, healthier treat. 🤎

07/07/2026

Rating your favourite foods from 1 to 3 for gut health 🦠

Let's break it down:

⭐⭐⭐ Sauerkraut: A fermented food that can provide beneficial bacteria and support microbial diversity. Not everyone tolerates it, particularly during active digestive symptoms, but it can be a great addition when tolerated.

⭐⭐ White bread: Lower in fibre than wholegrain or seeded breads, so it offers less fuel for your gut microbes. However, it isn't always a poor choice. For people on a low fibre or low residue diet, or during a flare of digestive symptoms, white bread may actually be the better tolerated option.

⭐⭐ Apples: Rich in nutrients and a source of pectin, a fibre that can support gut health. However, they are also high in FODMAPs, which means some people with IBS or sensitive guts may find they trigger symptoms.

⭐⭐ Diet drinks: The research is mixed. Some studies suggest certain artificial sweeteners may alter the gut microbiome, while others show little effect. If they help you reduce sugar intake, they may have a place, but water remains the best choice for overall health.

⭐⭐⭐ Beans: One of the best foods for feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Rich in fibre and plant compounds that support microbial diversity. That said, if you're not used to them or have a sensitive gut, you may need to introduce them gradually.

The takeaway?

A food isn't simply "good" or "bad" for gut health. The best diet is one that is both evidence based and tailored to your individual needs, symptoms and tolerance.

Which of these surprised you most? Let me know below 👇

05/07/2026

3-ingredient healthy Bounty bars 🥥🍫

No baking. No refined sugar. Just real ingredients and that chocolate-coconut combo you can't stop thinking about.

Here's all you need:
🥥 Desiccated coconut
🥥 Coconut milk
🍫 Dark chocolate

Mix the coconut and coconut milk until it sticks together, shape into bars, and chill for 30 minutes (or longer if needed). Melt your dark chocolate, dip each bar, and pop them back in the fridge to set.

That's it. The healthy treat that tastes like the real thing 🤤

Save this one for your next craving, and share it with someone who loves chocolate but wants a healthier option 👇

20/06/2026

This sunshine citrus marinade is about to become the most-used jar in your kitchen. 🍋

Made from real food and endlessly useful. Here are 4 ways to use it:

🍗 On chicken. Rub it all over before roasting for golden, flavourful skin.

🥦 Through roasted vegetables. Toss it over the tray for a zesty, herby side that goes with almost anything.

🥗 As a dressing. Mix with a little extra olive oil and drizzle over a Mediterranean-style salad.

🐟 On fish. Use it as a marinade and let it work its magic. The lemon and turmeric combination is incredible.

What’s in it?

🍋 3 dehydrated lemons
🧄 Garlic
🌶️ Chilli
🌿 Rosemary
✨ Turmeric
🫒 Olive oil

Big flavour, simple ingredients and a little extra support from the turmeric and olive oil.

The best part? Freeze it in portions and pull it out on busy days when you need something quick and delicious.

Which one would you try first? Tell me below 👇

📌 Save this recipe for later. You’ll be reaching for it again and again

16/06/2026

Two of these “gut healthy” foods are not a clear yes. 👀

I rated 5 everyday foods from 1 to 3 for your gut and the nuance is where it gets interesting:

🌾 Oats: 3/3
Rich in beta glucans, they help feed beneficial gut bacteria and support blood sugar balance too.

🍌 Bananas: 3/3
Ripe bananas can be soothing and gentle during an IBD flare while greener bananas are packed with prebiotic fibres that feed the gut microbiome.

🥣 Yoghurt: 2/3
Great for probiotics but dairy sensitivity is far more common than many people realise so this one really depends on the individual.

🫘 Chickpeas: 3/3
A brilliant source of fibre and plant protein. Just introduce them slowly if your gut is sensitive or not used to higher fibre foods.

☕ Coffee: 2/3
It can stimulate digestion and bowel movements but for some people it can also aggravate reflux, anxiety, loose stools or an inflamed gut.

The real takeaway? “Healthy” is never one size fits all. Your gut is unique and the goal is finding what actually works for you.

Which rating surprised you the most? Tell me below 👇

📌 Save this for your next food shop.

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