How Iris’s Story Shows That Gut Health Matters: A Parent’s Journey Through Our Healthy Eating Project

This autumn, we ran an inspiring Healthy Eating Project, fully funded by the Hinkley Point Community Fund. The project combined online learning, practical cooking sessions, and one-to-one support.

One of the children who took part was Iris, who proudly completed the Eat Well Plate Challenge by eating 30 different plant foods and six different animal-based proteins. Her mum sent us a lovely photo after a trip to Morrisons to buy fresh fish — a moment that perfectly captures their new enthusiasm for including more fresh fish in their diet. Iris’s story is a wonderful reminder that gut health really matters.

Understanding What Was Really Going On

When Iris started school, her mum Jo wanted her to be fully potty trained, but Iris continued having accidents. Jo tried everything she could think of — being consistent with routines, eat enough fibre, using star charts, and encouraging her to “be a big girl” — but nothing seemed to work. Iris was actually struggling with encopresis, a condition where stool leaks into the underwear after a child has already been toilet trained. Soiling accidents often happen because of constipation or gut imbalances, not behaviour. Children aren’t being lazy or naughty — their bodies are genuinely struggling. Jo wanted to come to get to the root of the problem and work from inside.

A New Approach Through the Healthy Eating Project

Jo joined Live Naturally’s courses and took part in the online lessons, practical cooking sessions, and one-to-one support. She shared:

“Learning about the gut as the root of all good health has been life-changing for our family.”

Together, we looked at Iris’s food diary and realised that although they were eating lots of fruit and vegetables, they were missing enough protein and essential healthy fats, which are crucial for gut function.

By gradually introducing:

• more healthy fats

• more FRESH high-quality protein

• more fresh fish

• and gut-supporting supplements, of healthy microbes and omega 3.

…her stools softened, constipation reduced, and her bowel began to function normally again. Over the last few months, her gut has slowly come back into balance — and Iris has been able to use the toilet regularly and confidently.

As Jo beautifully put it:

“We learned that we had to start from the inside. It is not enough to just avoid sugar and ultra-processed food. Fresh, protein-rich meals and essential fatty acids are vital for supporting gut health.”

It echoes the wisdom of Hippocrates, who wrote over 2,500 years ago:“All disease begins in the gut.”

A Happy Ending — and a Grateful Family

Jo told us how grateful she is for the Live Naturally courses, and for the funding from the Hinkley Point Community Fund which made the programme possible. Their family now has a deeper understanding of nutrition, gut health, and how balanced meals truly supports wellbeing.

And most importantly — Iris is thriving.