The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.Today we’re discussing gut health and training your gut with a plant-based diet with our guest, Hope Pedraza. Hope is a certified holistic nutritionist, nutrition coach, functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, and a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor and founder of In Studio.  Hope also specializes in plant-based nutrition.  Join us today as we delve into the benefits of a plant based diet, how to train your gut like a muscle and how to achieve good digestive health.IN THIS EPISODE:●   [02:00] Introducing Hope Pedraza.●   [04:48] Hope’s background in Pilates.●   [08:06] The difference in Hope’s current digestive health compared to ten years ago.●   [10:34] 80% of your immune system lives in your gut.●   [12:24] Plant-based is a little more inclusive and a little less restrictive than the vegan diet.●   [15:19] Short Chain Fatty acids help promote a healthy gut lining so we can repair a leaky gut.●   [18:08] Almost every hormone in your body is linked to your gut. The link between your gut health and your hormone health is undeniable.●   [28:00] Mung beans are a great way to replace meat.●   [31:19] When eating carbs, there’s a difference between processed pasta or bread and eating legumes and whole grains.●   [44:48] Intuitive eating, when you allow yourself to eat what you feel, then you don't crave junk food because you haven't been depriving yourself of it.KEY TAKEAWAYS:●   Digestive and gut health is very important as 80% of your immune system lives in your gut.●   Swapping to a plant-based diet is relatively easy and will support your gut health.●   Easing yourself into a plant-based diet and training your gut to break things down is best, as your gut will handle the change a lot better.QUOTES:“Almost every hormone in your body is somehow linked to your gut. There’s enzymes that come from your gut to help make these hormones.” Hope Pedraza“Your skin is your intestines turned inside out.” Jenn Trepeck“Plant-based is figuring out how to make some simple swaps. I always find that with my clients, the easiest meal to make plant-based is breakfast.” Hope Pedraza“Your gut is like any other muscle in the body. You have to train it.” Hope PedrazaRESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn’s Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramGUEST RESOURCES:Hope Pedraza’s InstagramHope Pedraza’s FacebookLive Wholesome and HealthyFree Facebook GroupGUEST BIO:Hope Pedraza is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist,  Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, and host of Hopeful and Wholesome Podcast. Hope helps career-driven women to heal their gut, balance their minds, and feel good in their bodies again using a plant-focused nutrition approach.  Hope also is a mom, serial entrepreneur, and founder of a Pilates-based franchise - inBalance studio.