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You Are What You Eat, Digest, and Absorb: Understanding the Journey of Nutrition

Writer's picture: Claire JarvisClaire Jarvis

Updated: Jun 6, 2024

In the world of nutrition, the old adage "you are what you eat" rings true, but perhaps a more accurate statement would be "you are what you eat, digest, and absorb."


Understanding the journey of nutrition through digestion and absorption sheds light on the intricate processes that fuel our bodies and influence our overall health and well-being.


Despite eating as healthy as we can maybe you are not seeing the results? Your body may not be getting as much of the good stuff as you think....



The Journey Begins: Eating with Intention

Every bite we take initiates a complex journey within our bodies. From the moment food enters our mouths, our digestive system springs into action, breaking down nutrients and extracting essential components to fuel our cells, support bodily functions, and promote vitality.


Digestion Unveiled: Breaking Down the Essentials

Digestion is a remarkable orchestration of mechanical and chemical processes designed to disassemble food into its fundamental components. Enzymes, acids, and bile work harmoniously to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller molecules that our bodies can absorb and utilise.


Absorption Revealed: Nourishing Every Cell

Once nutrients are released from food particles, they journey through the walls of our digestive tract and into the bloodstream, where they are transported to cells throughout the body. Here, they serve as building blocks for tissues, provide energy for metabolic processes, and contribute to the intricate dance of biochemical reactions that sustain life itself.


digest and absorb your nutrition

The Role of Gut Health: Nurturing the Foundation

Central to efficient digestion and absorption is the health of our gut. A balanced and diverse microbiome, comprised of trillions of bacteria, plays a pivotal role in nutrient metabolism, immune function, and even mood regulation. Nurturing our gut health through a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and probiotics supports optimal digestion and absorption, laying the foundation for vibrant health.


Nutrition Beyond Food: Mindful Eating and Lifestyle Factors

Beyond the nutrients found on our plates, mindful eating practices and lifestyle factors profoundly influence our digestive health and nutrient absorption. Eating in a relaxed state, chewing food thoroughly, managing stress levels, staying hydrated, and prioritising sleep all contribute to optimal digestion and absorption, ensuring that we extract the maximum benefit from the foods we consume.


Empowering Choices: Cultivating Nutritional Awareness

Understanding the journey of nutrition empowers us to make informed choices about the foods we eat and the way we nourish our bodies. By embracing whole, nutrient-dense foods, prioritising gut health, and adopting mindful eating practices, we can optimise digestion and absorption, unlocking the full potential of the foods we consume to support our health and vitality.


digestion gut nutritionist

In short, we have to be able to digest, breakdown and then absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat. If this doesn't happen, we may not absorb the iron we eat and then anemia can occur; if we don’t absorb enough vitamin B6, this can lead to neuropathy, maybe not enough Omega 3 fatty acids, leading to inflammation, not enough magnesium can lead chronic headaches the list goes on!


In essence, you truly are what you eat, digest, and absorb. By honouring the remarkable journey of nutrition within our bodies, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the profound impact that food has on our health and well-being, guiding us toward a path of vitality and thriving wellness.


I highly believe that there is no “one size fits all” diet; not everything works for everyone. However if we are not digesting and absorbing our foods, they will not end up in our cells, to provide us with their nutritional benefits.

you are what you eat digest and absorb nutritionist

I am a Nutritional Therapist offering one-to-one, in-person, or online consultations.


My Specialist areas include:

🥦 Menopause & Perimenopause

🍎 Female Hormonal Health

🥑 Migraines & Headaches

🫐 Digestive & Gut Health

🍋 Food Sensitivities & Special Diets

🍉 Energy & Vitality (including fibromyalgia & chronic conditions)


Naturopathic Nutrition's holistic approach to health & wellness recognises the interconnection between diet, nutrition, lifestyle & overall wellbeing to support the body's natural healing processes & provide necessary nutrients to help you optimise your health, & feel your best!




migraine and naturopathic nutrition nutritionist


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