Beyond Calories: The Gut-Brain Connection, Stress Eating & Real Immunity with Dr. Sara Abdelghany

Bloating, cravings, emotional eating, low energy, poor immunity… could more of it be connected to our gut than we realise? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sara Abdelghany, Clinical Dietitian at HealthBay, to talk all things nutrition, gut health and our relationship with food. We unpack the gut-brain connection and how everything from stress and anxiety to bloating, cravings and immunity can be linked to what’s happening in our gut. We also get into SIBO, dysbiosis, emotional eating, portion control, intermittent fasting and why eating “healthy” doesn’t always mean your body is getting what it needs. Dr. Sara shares some really practical advice on building meals that actually keep us full, the importance of protein, fibre and healthy fats, why we need to stop fearing foods like potatoes, and the small changes we can make to better support our gut, hormones and overall health. If you’ve ever felt confused by all the conflicting advice around gut health and nutrition, this is the episode for you. It’s an honest, no-fad conversation packed with practical advice to help you understand what your body actually needs and make nutrition feel a whole lot less complicated. Find Health Bay Clinics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthbaypolyclinic Find Dr. Sara on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/lets\talk\healthy/ Website: https://healthbayclinic.com Find us on instagram: @wearemothertongue Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mothertonguethepodcast **SHOWNOTES:** HealthBay is a JCI-accredited, multidisciplinary healthcare group that has been caring for individuals and families in Dubai since 2008. With more than 90 specialists across over 30 medical specialties, HealthBay offers coordinated, patient-centred care for every stage of life - from routine check-ups and preventative screening to specialist diagnostics, treatment and ongoing health management. Its services include family medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, midwifery, breast care, dermatology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, ENT, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, mental health, nutrition, dentistry, radiology, general surgery and more. HealthBay also provides dedicated health-check packages for women, men, children and newborns, alongside executive wellness and corporate health programmes. HealthBay currently has five specialist locations across Dubai: \- HealthBay Specialty Care, Verve Villas, Al Wasl Road: The group’s main multispecialty clinic, offering extensive specialist care alongside a dedicated Women’s Breast Care Centre, diagnostic imaging and an ISO-certified in-house laboratory. \- HealthBay Community Care Clinic, Motor City: A convenient community clinic supporting families across Motor City and South Dubai, with services including family medicine, paediatrics, women’s health, dermatology, endocrinology, physiotherapy and other specialist care. \- HealthBay Gastroenterology & Digestive Health, Al Wasl Road: A dedicated digestive-health centre offering diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, gastroenterology, hepatology, internal medicine, ENT and related services under one roof. \- HealthBay Vitalia, Umm Al Sheif: A specialist centre focused on women’s health, wellness and longevity, offering care designed to support women through different life stages. \- HealthBay Aesthetics, Umm Al Sheif: A medically led aesthetics and skincare clinic bringing together dermatologists, plastic surgeons and qualified aesthetic practitioners to offer an integrated approach to skin health, beauty and wellbeing. What helps set HealthBay apart is its multidisciplinary model. Patients can access primary care, specialists, diagnostics, laboratory services and follow-up treatment within one connected healthcare group, allowing doctors across different disciplines to collaborate when needed. The team is multilingual, the clinics work with a wide network of major insurance providers, and the emphasis is on combining clinical expertise and advanced technology with accessible, compassionate care. To learn more, find a doctor or book an appointment, visit HealthBay or call 800 4272. This podcast is intended for general information only and should not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Support the show