“Healthy eating” is a bit of a misnomer if you ask our team at Minneapolis Integrative Medicine Center. And it’s not only because you can find support on the Internet for nearly any fad diet or food trend you’re interested in. But what we mean is more related to the conventional idea of healthy foods.

While a cookie cutter “healthy diet” may work for some, it doesn’t work for everyone. Why? Because each one of us has different nutritional needs based on genetics, health conditions, and goals. What works for one person may be what is causing another’s concerns. This is why at MIMC, we take a deep dive into exploring your health and nutrition history—looking at labs, food allergy panels, and metabolic pathways—to assess what foods YOUR body needs to function optimally. ⁠⁠

Why Certain Food Plans Don’t Work For Everyone

Let’s take SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) as an example. While a high fiber diet may be recommended for someone with high cholesterol and/or blood sugar concerns, an individual with SIBO may not tolerate these foods… and a healthy high fiber diet is likely doing more harm than benefit. ⁠⁠

We may also make specific nutrition recommendations based on your health goals. Let’s say you were recently diagnosed with PCOS and your labs show cortisol dysregulation. While a lower carbohydrate diet may be beneficial for some people with PCOS, it will not be suitable for anyone with suboptimal adrenal function. 

The ketogenic diet is yet another example of a food trend that isn’t for everyone. While it can be therapeutic in the right situation, it can also be dangerous to those with certain medical histories or conditions.

⁠How Should I Figure Out What Food Is Best For Me?

All of this leads us to our recommendation: When determining what foods are best for you, it’s important to work with a medical provider to assess your labs, your metabolic pathways, and your food sensitivities. By diving deeper we can tailor your “healthy diet” to truly serve you, giving you the benefits you’re looking for, including feeling better and having more energy.

Interested in learning more? Set up a complimentary 15-minute phone call with our team to determine what’s the  best fit for you. Or, join us at our Patient Open House on Oct. 15 from 6-9 p.m.

Dr. Cassie Wilder

Dr. Cassie Wilder is a registered Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) and founder of MIMC. Her passion is empowering her patients through education, understanding, and support through their healing journey. After graduating from Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Health, Dr. Wilder earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, a fully accredited and nationally recognized institution in Phoenix, AZ. During her clinical training, she received extensive hands-on training with many leading experts in the field of functional medicine and developed a passion for treating hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular concerns, and adrenal fatigue.