Andrea Ballenthin Nutrition

If you've been told to "just take an iron supplement" every time your ferritin comes back low, this is for you.

Low iron isn't always caused by not eating enough iron.

In fact, if your iron levels keep dropping despite supplements, it's often a sign that there's a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Some of the most common root causes I see include:
✨ Poor iron absorption due to low stomach acid or gut inflammation
✨ SIBO or other digestive conditions or infections affecting nutrient absorption
✨ Heavy menstrual bleeding or ongoing blood loss
✨ Chronic inflammation increasing hepcidin, making it harder to absorb and use iron
✨ Nutrient deficiencies that impact iron metabolism, like vitamin C, copper, folate, or B12

Iron supplements absolutely have their place, but if you don't address why your iron is low, you're often stuck in the cycle of taking supplements, feeling a little better, and watching your levels drop again.

Your body is always giving you clues. The goal isn't just to replace nutrients, it's to understand what's preventing them from staying where they need to be.

Have you struggled with low iron that keeps coming back? Let me know in the comments!

If you're ready to uncover the root cause of your low iron and finally get a personalized plan, book a discovery call through the link in my bio. 🤍

This was last night in Scottsdale after a long rainy day. The sun always comes out and sometimes a little more.

POV: You’re doing everything “right” and you STILL feel bloated. 😩

You’re eating healthy.
You’re drinking your water.
You’re exercising.
You’ve tried low-FODMAP and other diets.
You’ve bought the probiotics.
You’re taking the supplements.

…and yet your gut still isn’t cooperating.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is focusing entirely on what foods to remove instead of asking why your digestive system is struggling in the first place.

Your symptoms can be influenced by things like motility, constipation, gut dysbiosis, digestive function, stress and nervous system regulation, your health history, and more.

And sometimes, the “healthy” habits you’re doing aren't the missing piece.

You don't need to keep shrinking your diet just to feel comfortable.

When you understand the why behind your symptoms so you can create a plan that actually works for your body. 🤍

If you’re ready to stop guessing and want support getting to the root of your gut symptoms, head to the link in my bio to schedule a discovery call.

We spend so much time talking about what to eat for brain health… but what if when you eat matters too?

A recent study presented at Nutrition 2026 found that women who ate within an 8–9 hour eating window performed better on certain cognitive tests compared to those who ate across a longer window.

Interestingly, both groups lost a similar amount of weight—suggesting the potential brain benefits weren't simply due to weight loss.

Researchers believe time-restricted eating may support cognitive health by:
✨ Aligning with your body's natural circadian rhythm
✨ Improving insulin sensitivity
✨ Reducing inflammation
✨ Giving your body longer periods of metabolic rest

That said, this is still an emerging area of research. One study doesn't prove that time-restricted eating will improve memory or prevent cognitive decline, and it's not the right approach for everyone.

The biggest takeaway? Nutrition isn't just about what you eat. Your eating pattern may also influence your long-term health.

Have you ever tried time-restricted eating? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments! 👇

Your gut symptoms are information. They’re not a sign that you’re failing at healthy eating.

You don't need to keep shrinking your diet or jumping from one supplement to the next. You may need a personalized plan that looks at why your symptoms are happening in the first place.

If you're tired of guessing and want support getting to the root of your digestive symptoms, head to the link in my bio to schedule a discovery call. Reply "Gut" for my free gut health guide.

Have you started eating healthier but somehow feeling WORSE? This can be frustrating but don't let it stop you from continuing your journey. Instead explore reasons why this may be happening.

If you started adding more vegetables, salads, beans, whole grains, fermented foods, smoothies..... and suddenly it is causing more bloating, gassiness, constipation, or feeling uncomfortable.

First: this doesn't mean healthy foods are bad for you.

It may mean your gut needs a different approach right now.

A few common reasons you may feel worse after “cleaning up” your diet:

🥦 You increased fiber too quickly
🫘 You're eating more fermentable carbohydrates than you tolerate
🥗 Your portions are much larger than before
🥬 You're adding too many new foods at once
🧠 You're eating while stressed or distracted
💩 Your motility is already sluggish
🧪 There may be an underlying digestive issue contributing to your symptoms

And here's the part I really want you to remember:

Healthy ≠ universally tolerated.

A food can be incredibly nutritious and still not agree with your gut right now.

But that doesn't mean you need to eliminate everything.

Instead of asking, “What healthy food is causing my symptoms?”

We need to ask:

“WHY is my gut struggling to tolerate these foods?”

Because the goal isn't to create a smaller and smaller list of “safe” foods.

It's to improve your digestion so that, over time, you can tolerate a wider variety of foods.

If you're constantly changing your diet, eliminating foods, and still dealing with bloating or digestive symptoms, it's time to look beyond the food itself.

Book a discovery call through the link in my bio to start getting to the root cause.

Save this for the next time you wonder, “Why does eating healthy make me feel worse?”

Things I no longer believe about health

I used to think health was mostly about eating “better,” having more discipline, and finding the right supplement.

Now, after working with women struggling with gut issues, hormone imbalances, fatigue, acne, and chronic symptoms, I see things very differently.

❌ More willpower is not the answer.
❌ Everyone does NOT need to eliminate gluten and dairy.
❌ “Normal” lab results don’t automatically mean everything is optimal.
❌ You don’t need a perfect diet to feel better.
❌ Bloating, acne, fatigue, and digestive issues are not symptoms you should simply learn to live with.
❌ More supplements ≠ better results.
❌ Your gut and your mood are not separate systems.
❌ Nervous system regulation is not optional when we’re talking about whole-body health.

Your body isn’t failing you. It’s communicating with you.

And instead of constantly asking, “What else can I eliminate or add?” sometimes we need to ask:

“Why is my body responding this way in the first place?”

That’s where root-cause nutrition comes in. 🤍

If you’re tired of chasing symptoms and want to understand what may actually be driving them, book a discovery call through the link in my bio.