How a Sneaky Seagull Nearly Wrecked My Gut Health (and What It Means for You)

Jennifer May
Sep 9
2 min read

Ever have that moment where years of progress could be undone in one dumb move? That was me last weekend.

The weather was gorgeous, so I took the kids to the playground. I'd packed fruits and veggies, and the plan was to grab lunch afterwards. But the kids were having too much fun to leave. The only semi-safe gluten-free option nearby? Fries.

I bought a large serving for the 3 of us to share - $12 later, set them down, turned away for maybe five seconds to fix my son’s hat.

And that's when it happened.

A sneaky seagull swooped in, nicked a few chips, and ran off.

I had no idea

I sat back down, reached for a chip, and... ate it.

Then a kind stranger came over and said the words no gut health expert wants to hear:

“I’m so sorry... that bird was eating your chips.”😳😳😳

Look, I'm a nutritionist. I should know better. But that one moment of distraction? It may have just exposed me (and my kids) to harmful microbes.

Because here's what most people don’t realise:

You might feel better 24 hours after a gut bug.

But the microbial damage can linger for months.
Even years later, you could still be dealing with bloating, IBS, fatigue, skin flare-ups, or food sensitivities that started from one little incident.

Dysbiosis doesn't just come from stress, sugar, or meds.

Sometimes it’s a sneaky bird. Or a dodgy buffet. Or an unwashed grape. Or a hummus tub that sat out too long.
That’s why I test my gut regularly. And it’s why I recommend anyone who cares about their health do the same.

What is Gut Dysbiosis?

Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance in your gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria, yeasts, and microbes that live in your digestive tract). When the "bad" bugs take over, it can throw off everything from digestion to mood to immune or even hormonal health.

Common symptoms include:

Bloating
Constipation or diarrhoea
Sugar cravings
Fatigue
Brain fog
Skin issues (acne, rashes, eczema)

It can be triggered by antibiotics, stress, poor diet, or yes, even that one rogue chip/unwashed apple/deli meat etc.

How to Know If Your Gut Needs a Check-Up

If you:

Feel "off" but can't pinpoint why
Have stubborn symptoms that don’t go away
Get bloated even when eating healthy
React to foods you used to tolerate
And this one's crucial - your symptoms/food reactions started suddenly

If any of the above are true for you, it's time to test, not guess.

What Our Gut Health Testing Includes:

A comprehensive stool test that checks:
- Friendly bacteria
- Harmful bacteria
- Yeast overgrowth (like candida)
- Parasites
A personalised summary report with specific action steps
Optional 1:1 consult or email Q&A with me
BONUS: Free access to my Ultimate Bloat Buster 7 Day Gut Reset (mini-course)