Ep. 36 - Healing from the Inside Out: How Gut Health Impacts Mental Wellness with Kate Zapata, RN, Nutritional Therapist

The Holistic Counselor

Welcome, fearfully and wonderfully made humans! In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, I am joined by the incredible Kate Zapata, RN, Nutritional Therapist, founder of Simple and Sweet Nutrition. We dive deep into the fascinating connection between gut health and mental health.

Kate shares her journey from conventional nursing to holistic nutrition after healing her son’s asthma and her own health challenges. Together, we explore practical strategies for nourishing your body, the challenges of today’s food systems, and small, sustainable steps to transform your health and well-being.

Whether you’re battling brain fog, anxiety, or general fatigue—or just curious about how what you eat impacts how you feel—this episode is packed with wisdom to guide you toward better health in 2025.

Episode Highlights

• Kate’s Story: From conventional nursing to holistic nutrition after healing her son’s asthma and her own health struggles.
• The Gut-Brain Connection: How serotonin and dopamine production in the gut affect mental health.
• The Role of Diet: Tips for reducing processed foods, balancing macronutrients, and incorporating ancestral eating principles.
• Practical Tips for Better Nutrition: The importance of whole foods, sunshine, and hydration in supporting your body and mind.
• Encouragement for the New Year: Start small, stay consistent, and focus on nourishing your body, one step at a time.

Standout Quotes

• "Your body is a beautiful thing that will tell you what’s up—stop ignoring it." – Diana S. Rice
• "All disease starts in the gut, but so does healing." – Kate Zapata
• "You cannot create change without making changes." – Kate Zapata
• "You’ll pay either way—prevention or intervention." – Diana S. Rice
• "Suffering is the obstacle that leads you to the way of your healing." – Diana S. Rice
• "It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making better choices, one step at a time." – Kate Zapata
• "The closer you get to nature, the healthier you’ll be." – Diana S. Rice

Resources Mentioned

• Free Resources from Kate Zapata:
  • Simple Guide to Gut Health — Available at Simple and Sweet Nutrition under the “Free Resources” section.
• Books Mentioned:
  • Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
  • Wise Traditions by Weston A. Price Foundation
• Other Podcasts to Explore:
  • Wise Traditions Podcast (featuring Holistic Hilda)
  • The Model Health Show with Shawn Stevenson
  • The Ancient Health Podcast
  • Huberman Lab Podcast

Diana’s Free Resource

Visit the resource page at Through the Valley Therapy for a free PDF on holistic mental health tips and links to trusted wellness podcasts.

Connect with Us

• Guest: Kate Zapata, RN, Nutritional Therapist
  • Website: Simple and Sweet Nutrition
  • Instagram: @simpleandsweetnutrition
• Host: Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS
  • Website: Through the Valley Therapy
  • Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy

Closing Words

"Remember, trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind."

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it! See you next time, and may your journey toward holistic health be blessed.