Goal Getter: Fuel Your Goals Without Burning Out

Ep. 23•May 27, 2025•26 min

023. Gut Health Myths: What Food Sensitivity Tests Get Wrong | with Amanda Rigby pt 1

Are food sensitivity tests the answer to your gut health struggles? In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Rigby, functional dietitian and gut health expert, to debunk the myths around food sensitivity tests and expose why simply avoiding "problem foods" isn't the solution. We explore what these tests actually measure, how they can mislead your healing journey, and what you really need to focus on to fix the root cause of gut issues like bloating, brain fog, fatigue, and food intolerances. If you've ever been told to cut out gluten, dairy, or other foods without a long-term plan to heal your gut, this episode is a must-listen. We also talk about the hidden signs of gut dysfunction, the connection between your immune system and digestion, and why healing your gut goes beyond elimination diets. Whether you're navigating IBS, leaky gut, chronic inflammation, or just want better digestion and energy, this episode will help you get clarity and take confident action toward real, lasting gut health. Follow on instagram @iamjennahostetler and @sprintnutrition Connect with Amanda on instagram @amandarigby.rd or on her website here

Key Takeaways

1
Food sensitivity tests often lead to unnecessary, restrictive diets
Many commercial tests lack clinical validation and can lead to 'comfortable misery' where patients eliminate entire food groups without a plan for reintroduction.
The goal should be to identify root causes of inflammation rather than just creating a tiny list of 'safe' foods.
2
The 'Test, Don't Guess' philosophy
Instead of trial-and-error, functional practitioners use tools like the GI-MAP stool test to identify specific infections, parasites, or imbalances.
Targeted testing prevents malnutrition caused by unnecessary long-term elimination diets.
3
Toxicity is a foundational driver of gut dysfunction
Modern environmental exposure to heavy metals, plastics, and chemicals accumulates in the liver and brain, contributing to symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and food sensitivities.
Healing the gut requires addressing these systemic toxic loads alongside digestive support.
4
The importance of the reintroduction phase
When removing trigger foods, it should be a temporary 21-day period to allow the gut lining to cool down.
A structured reintroduction plan is essential to prevent the cycle of fear-based eating and to restore dietary diversity.

Intro

Jenna Hostetler sits down with functional dietitian Amanda Rigby to debunk common myths surrounding food sensitivity testing and discuss why elimination diets are not a long-term solution for gut health.
Amanda Rigby is a licensed registered dietitian and the founder of Heal Thy Self Nutrition, specializing in functional medicine and identifying the root causes of chronic gut health issues.

Amanda Rigby's Website Amanda Rigby on Instagram

– The Four Pillars of Chronic Illness

Amanda explains that most chronic health issues stem from four core areas: chronic inflammation, gut health, emotional trauma/stress, and environmental toxins/heavy metals.

We are coming out the gates, out of mom, already exposed to so many different things... we're just kind of overloaded with so much toxic things.
– Amanda Rigby

– Why 'Test, Don't Guess' Matters

Patients often arrive at functional practices after being passed between doctors without answers. Amanda advocates for objective testing to stop the cycle of guessing.

GI-MAP (Stool test for infections and digestion)
DUTCH test (Urine hormone analysis)
MRT test (Clinically validated food sensitivity testing)

– Navigating Food Sensitivities

The conversation shifts to how to handle positive test results. Amanda emphasizes that the goal is to remove triggers temporarily, heal the gut lining, and then systematically reintroduce foods.

I've seen nothing but the ability to reintroduce them. People are able to eat gluten again, sparingly... sometimes it just feels like a death sentence.
– Amanda Rigby

– The Power of Symptom Surveys and Journaling

Amanda uses comprehensive symptom surveys to help patients realize that seemingly unrelated issues—like post-nasal drip or skin rashes—are often connected to gut health.

Resources

The 10 American Study (EWG)article
The Empowered Edge Resourcestool

Topics

Gut Health Functional Medicine Food Sensitivities Environmental Toxins Nutrition Chronic Inflammation Digestive Health