Send us Fan Mail Can food affect your mental health, mood, or unexplained symptoms? In this episode of Thursday Tea with Sami, Dr. Samia Estrada sits down with Kathlena “The Allergy Chef”, a food allergy expert who has lived with over 200 food allergies and intolerances. After spending more than 20 years searching for answers, Kathlena discovered that food can trigger symptoms far beyond the commonly recognized allergic reactions. Together, they explore the powerful connection between food, mental health, inflammation, and chronic symptoms — and why many people may be experiencing health issues that are actually related to what they eat. Kathlena shares her remarkable personal story, including how eliminating certain foods helped resolve symptoms that had once mimicked serious illnesses, autoimmune conditions, and mental health struggles. This conversation also explores how food can impact anxiety, depression, OCD, behavioral issues in children, and overall brain health, along with simple tools listeners can use to better understand their own bodies. If you’ve ever wondered whether food could be contributing to unexplained health issues, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical starting points. 🔎 About the Guest Kathlena “The Allergy Chef” is an expert in food allergies and food intolerance who helps individuals understand how food may be impacting their health. After surviving a life-threatening health crisis caused by undiagnosed food allergies, she dedicated her life to helping others identify hidden triggers and create safer, healthier relationships with food. Her work focuses on education, food journaling, and empowering individuals to better understand their bodies. 🔗 Connect With Kathlena Website: https://theallergychef.com 🎙 About the Podcast Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health Hosted by Dr. Samia Estrada, PsyD, this podcast features thoughtful conversations about mental health, lifestyle medicine, wellness, and living a healthier life. 📌 If You Enjoyed This Episode Share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation. Support the show Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness Enjoying the show? Your support means the world to me. ☕ buymeacoffee.com/thursdayteawithsami 🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode! Curious about more? Check out everything I’m working on at Dignus Wellness. https://DignusWellness.com Sign up for my newsletter at https://subscribe.dignuswellness.com/ Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource.
