To trust food again after digestive trauma, make what you’re eating clear. When you know what is in your food, your body has a chance to feel safe again.

Here is what worked for me. I removed the daily habits that blurred my signals, I added meals with simple nutritious ingredients I could repeat, and I cared more about where my food came from.

I learned this after years of convenience food, a perforation on Christmas Day, and surgery.

In the guide below I show the exact three steps I used to rebuild my confidence with food and how you can too at your own pace.

But first, let me share how my perspective on food changed.

Perspective Shift on Food

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s at 11, the day before high school. Food became something to survive, not something to nourish me.

I ate for ease and comfort because I felt overwhelmed.

Pizza, doner kebabs, fried chicken and burgers were normal. I had lots of crisps and lots of sweets. I did not eat chocolate but I did drink Coca-Cola most days.

After years of this diet, on Christmas Day 2016, I had a bowel perforation and emergency surgery. Surgeons removed about 30 centimetres of diseased intestine.

My weight dropped to 5 stone, around 33.6 kilos. I spent weeks in hospital and was fed intravenously for 12 hours a day to rebuild.

After this digestive trauma, I knew my relationship with food had to change.

Step 1: Remove What Breaks Trust

I looked at the habits that kept me guessing. Daily sweets and daily Coca-Cola were at the top of the list.

The same went for fast food meals I picked only for taste. They were easy, but they did not help me feel safe.

I did not label foods as good or bad. I noticed which ones made my gut signals unclear and I took a break from those.

As the noise dropped, I could hear what my body was saying. That made the next choice easier.

Step 2: Add What Builds Trust

I started eating foods that are meant to be healthy. I wanted clear nutritional value I could name.

A smoothie helped me keep things simple. I used spinach, kale, flax seeds and chia seeds.

I chose a plant based milk I knew. I used coconut milk and for a period I used hemp milk too.

I gained trust by choosing ingredients I understood. I knew what I was putting in my body and I could repeat it.

When a meal felt steady, I kept it in the mix. Repetition built confidence fast.

Step 3: Source Food with Intention

I paid attention to where foods came from. That helped me trust what I chose.

Chicken was a clear example. Cheap and cheerful meat made me ask simple questions.

Were the animals raised well? Was it organic? What hormones were used?

It can become a rabbit hole, so I kept it practical. I picked options I felt good about and stayed consistent.

As I trusted what I bought and consumed, I trusted my body more. Clear inputs gave me clearer signals back.

During recovery I researched, read scientific papers and tested 30 different plants and herbs.

The seven plants that worked best for calm and gut comfort became Cosmic Hue.

Where I Am Now in 2025

After my ileostomy bag was reversed I focused on rebuilding. I even returned to sport and proved to myself that my body was resilient.

Today I live medication free and symptom free. That outcome took time, but it began with clarity.

Conclusion

Rebuilding trust after digestive trauma starts with perspective. Trust what you consume so your body can feel safe again.

For me that meant fewer ultra processed habits, more simple whole foods and a smoothie I understood. It also meant caring about ingredients and the source.

Those choices made my signals clearer and my confidence stronger.

If you want a gentle daily anchor, I start the morning with a cup of Cosmic Hue alongside thousands of people in our community.

Author: Manny is the founder of Fifth Ray and a certified Gut Health Coach. After battling Crohn's Disease for 16 years, he transformed his gut health through plant-based healing. His story has been featured on BBC, ITV, and Daily Mail.

Please note this information is for educational purposes only, not medical advice. Cosmic Hue is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.