[Newsletter] The Smartest Coach in the Room

Gas who? (It’s your client) Every Saturday, The Smartest Coach in the Room delivers helpful takeaways on the hottest nutrition and health topics and the world’s most effective coaching techniques. (Did some amazing friend forward this to you? [Subscribe here]( Has a client ever asked about… farts? While excess gas can be a taboo topic, for many it’s a legitimate concern. Here’s a quick lesson on gas/wind, and some ideas about how you can help as a coach. Farts may be the punchline of many jokes… …But they’re also totally natural. Quick biology lesson: Our entire gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a wide range of microorganisms (i.e. bacteria). These friendly intestinal bacteria ferment dietary carbohydrates such as fiber, oligosaccharides, and sugars (such as lactose and sugar alcohols) that our small intestine can’t digest and absorb on their own. This fermentation process turns these carbohydrates into beneficial short-chain fatty acids. In the process, bacteria produce several gasses, including methane and hydrogen sulfide. And that’s how farts are born. [A GIF of Hermione from Harry Potter waving air away from her face.] Of course, too much gas can be an issue. As with all things biological, balance is important. If a person is over-producing gas, they may have an underlying health problem, disrupted flora, or trouble digesting particular foods. What do you do if a client suffers from excess gas? 😊 Have the conversation. The best coaches are willing to have frank, honest conversations about subjects they’re not 100 percent comfortable with. If a client shares their concerns with you, thank them for their honesty, and suggest you troubleshoot the problem together. ✔️ Focus on the basics. While biology is complicated, nutrition advice doesn’t have to be. Basic practices such as chewing carefully, getting regular exercise, and managing stress can all help support a healthy digestive system. 🥕 Eat those plant foods. Plants—like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, starchy tubers, and beans—help keep bowel movements regular, which prevents excess gas. They also improve overall gut health by: 1. Feeding the flora. When bacteria chows down on fiber, it multiplies and contributes to short-chain fatty acid production as well as bacterial diversity. 2. Providing bacteria with phytochemicals (like polyphenols) that can be transformed into antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Encourage clients to make small improvements: Try adding a fruit or veggie they enjoy to each meal. ⏰ Eat slow(er). When you slowly and thoroughly chew food, you break your meal down into smaller, more digestible bits. The smaller pieces also increase the amount of surface area for digestive enzymes to work on. On the other hand, eating quickly can lead to indigestion, bloating, and gas. Advise clients to add a little bit of time to each meal. Suggest they pay attention to their food, pause to breathe, and put their fork down in between bites. Aim for the texture of applesauce before swallowing. 👩🏾 ⚕️ Refer out as needed. If clients have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), bloating, flatulence, or room-clearing gas, they may benefit from a visit to their doctor to explore potential causes and solutions. 📚 Keep learning. If you’re a coach (or you want to be), it’s important to know the science behind any nutritional recommendations you might make. Check out our [Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification]( where you’ll learn the science of nutrition, along with the art of coaching. [Become a Certified Nutrition Coach - Join the presale list for the #1 rated PN Level 1 Nutrition Certification]( Cheers, Camille --------------------------------------------------------------- Camille DePutter Co-author of PN’s Level 1 Certification textbook Precision Nutrition (Home of the World’s Top Nutrition Coaches) --------------------------------------------------------------- What did you think of this email? Precision Nutrition Business Insider's #1 Choice for Nutrition Certifications in 2022 --- To view this email as a web page, click [here.]( Precision Nutrition Inc. 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 Toronto, ON, M5E 1W7, Canada Finally, nutrition makes sense. Visit us at [www.precisionnutrition.com]( today. Follow us on [Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences](