About the BetterEats Auditor

📖 My Story

I suffered from chronic bloating, brain fog, and unpredictable digestion for over a decade. I tried elimination diets, expensive probiotics, and followed countless "gut healing" protocols—most made things worse or did nothing at all.

Eventually, I got frustrated with conflicting advice and decided to go directly to the source: peer-reviewed scientific research. Not health influencers, not wellness blogs with hidden sponsorships—actual studies from journals like Gut, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology, and Cell.

What I discovered changed everything. I tested different approaches systematically, tracked what worked, and slowly rebuilt my gut health from the ground up. Along the way, I realized that the science is genuinely fascinating—but it's buried in academic journals that most people will never read.

So I built BetterEats. I read the research so you don't have to—then translate it into practical, actionable guidance. Every audit, every score, every recommendation is backed by citations you can verify yourself. I'm not selling supplements or "gut healing programs." I'm just sharing what actually worked for me, backed by science.

🔬 Research Process

Every BetterEats audit follows a systematic research process designed to minimize bias and maximize accuracy. Here's exactly how I approach each product or recipe analysis:

Step 1: Ingredient Analysis

I begin by examining every ingredient in the product. For each ingredient, I research its documented effects on the gut microbiome using the following databases:

Step 2: 4-Pillar Scoring

Each ingredient is evaluated against our 4-Pillar scoring system:

1. Prebiotic Density (35%): Does this ingredient feed beneficial bacteria?
2. Probiotic Factor (15%): Does it contain live, beneficial microorganisms?
3. Anti-Inflammatory Index (30%): Does it reduce or promote inflammation?
4. Glycemic Stability (20%): Does it cause or prevent blood sugar spikes?

Points are added or subtracted based on documented effects, then weighted according to the pillar percentages. The methodology page provides complete scoring tables.

Step 3: Cross-Reference & Verify

Before publishing, I cross-reference my findings with multiple sources. If a claim appears in only one study, I note this uncertainty. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses carry more weight than individual studies.

Step 4: Internal Review

Every audit undergoes an internal review process that includes:

• • Verification of all scientific citations (links must work, quotes must be accurate)
• • Score calculation double-check (math errors happen)
• • Bias check (am I being fair to this product?)
• • Readability review (is this accessible to non-scientists?)

📋 Editorial Standards

📚 Foundational Reading

My understanding of gut health is built on hundreds of studies, but these foundational texts have been particularly influential:

Note: I don't endorse everything in these books—some contain speculation beyond what evidence supports. I cite specific studies, not author opinions.