Slipping out of bed before he wakes up, you'd tip toe to the bathroom hoping he wouldn't hear you. Closing the door gently, you'd pull down your pants and take a seat. You think:

Maybe I should run the faucet so he won't hear me. But wait, if I do, he might wake up at the sound.

And there it was, the pre-poop morning toots that you pray come out as a whisper but you know might very well come out as a BAHOOGA. You pray that your morning present doesn't KAPLUNK in the toilet and that the smell isn't atrocious. God forbid he finds out you shit and you're human.

And it isn't just the morning that you grapple with. It's the fact that lately you've been bloated and have been squeezing your butt cheeks so hard together because you might let out a fart that could kill a small village. You don't understand. It happens no matter what you eat, but you feel gross and tired. It's time for a little shit talk.

In the past I struggled with digestive issues. I've gone for days without dumping a good one, struggled for 15 minutes to let out a disappointing kibble drop and I've had the urgent calls for action. My skin was a mess, I was exhausted and my joints started to ache. I struggled for years to drop weight and realized that once my digestive system healed, suddenly the weight melted off.

And a large part about digestion is reducing the allergenic load that creates an inflammatory response. When we eat foods that don't agree with our system we have a hard time controlling our bowel response and our emotions. Suddenly we're short-fused and the toilet seat being left up is enough to have an all out war as we slam it back down with thunder. Or we're left with moments of depression and not sure why. We need reassurance and discuss the complicated matters to friends, the rolling eyes of our partners and write cryptic messages on Facebook. Have we become crazy?

No. Look no further because the answer is in your poop.

The digestive system is one of the most under-rated parts we have. It's related to everything and I urge you to consider adding it to your body transformation list for the New Year. In fact, I urge you to start with it. It is the corner stone of our health where Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic philosophers had believed that all diseases began from poor gut health.

People ask me:
"How is your hair so shiny?"
"You're 34? Wow I would have pegged you for 28." (Bless their sweet heart and face)
"How is your complexion so clear?"

My one answer, I take care of my digestive pipes and I'm careful what I put in it. The secret to feeling sexy from the inside out begins with proper digestive health which is why that's where I start ALL of my patients.

And now you can RSVP to The Enlighten Movement that will help you transform your body with the individualized attention YOU deserve. So whether you want to lose weight, tend to your digestive pipes or clear up that skin, I've got you covered. Plus receive motivation knowing that every time you transform your body, you'll be helping someone else out effortlessly (stay tuned for those details).

RSVP now and receive a FREE copy of my Ultimate Grocery & Kitchen Guide when you do. Doors open on December 11, 2012 and you won't want to miss this because we're going to be transforming bodies and helping to transform the world at the same time.

For more on Melissa visit: http://www.sexyfoodtherapy.com

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• BEST: Fruits And Vegetables

  Fruits and vegetables are great for digestion because most are high in fiber, King says. Bechtold adds that the fiber in produce has an added benefit of regulating bowel movements.

• BEST: Whole Grains

  Whole grain foods, including brown rice and wheat, also contain lots of fiber, making them another top food group good for digestion, King says. (Obviously this advice may not apply for people with chronic conditions like celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities, since wheat contains gluten.)

• BEST: Bananas

  While all fruits and vegetables are generally good for digestion, bananas in particular are great because they don't irritate the stomach. That's why they're part of the "BRAT Diet" for vomiting or diarrhea -- that is, the bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast diet. "Those are the four things that tend to be the easiest tolerated amongst people and they tend to be bland, so they won't irritate the stomach like other foods," King says. They are also good for replacing the body's electrolytes, she adds.

• BEST: Water

  "Water is excellent for digestion, and that's one thing I think people don't drink enough of," King says. Water helps the digestive process because it helps move things through the intestines.

• BEST: Ginger

  Spices and herbs like ginger, turmeric and peppermint are great for settling an upset stomach, King says. Try drinking ginger or peppermint tea, or sucking on a peppermint lozenge.

• BEST: Probiotic-Containing Foods Like Yogurt

  Probiotics are good for the digestive system because they contain good bacteria that crowds out any bad bacteria that you may have in your gut, King says. You want to look specifically for foods that contain <em>live</em> bacteria, such as yogurt and kefir.

• BEST: Prebiotic-Containing Foods Like Asparagus And Oats

  Prebiotic foods contain a type of fiber the <em>probiotics</em> feed off of to multiply, "so it’s good food for your good bacteria," King says. Prebiotics are found in foods such as asparagus, onions, lentils and whole grains.

• WORST: Spicy Foods

  Spicy foods can be bad for digestion because they may trigger acid reflux symptoms for some people, King notes.

• WORST: Caffeine

  Similarly to spicy foods, those containing caffeine can also trigger acid reflux, as it relaxes the esophageal sphincter -- the flap that keeps what you've eaten down in your stomach -- causing food to come back up into the esophagus, King says. What about coffee, which is high in caffeine yet always seems to help us "go?" King says coffee is powerful for triggering peristalsis -- the term for movement of food through the intestines -- it does contain caffeine, which means it can still cause reflux. But it could help someone who is struggling with constipation, she notes.

• WORST: Acidic Foods Like Soda

  Like spicy and caffeinated foods, acidic picks like soda can also trigger reflux, King says.

• WORST: Foods High In Saturated Fat

  Fatty foods can induce heartburn and diarrhea due to poor absorption of fat, Bechtold says. King adds that you can tell if your diet contains too many high-fat foods because your stool will float to the top of the toilet. This is a sign that you might want to cut back on the saturated fat.

• WORST: Alcohol

  Alcohol also relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which can then trigger acid reflux, King says. Bechtold adds that it can induce inflammation in the stomach.

• WORST: Dairy

  Dairy can induce bloating, Bechtold says, as well as abdominal discomfort, particularly for people who are lactose intolerant.

• How to Understand Basic Digestion

  In this health video you will learn how to understand basic digestion.

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