St. Paddy’s Day Foods—Friend or Foe? 🍀

In this episode of the Harmony With Food Show, registered dietitian and functional nutritionist Meg Marie O’Rourke breaks down the truth about potatoes, artificial food dyes, alcohol, and what is really happening inside your body during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.Potatoes have been unfairly blamed as “bad carbs” for decades. In reality, a potato contains nearly twice the potassium of a banana and can be part of a heart-healthy diet when prepared properly.This episode explains why potatoes are not the problem and how preparation and food pairing affect blood sugar balance.The conversation also dives into the bright green foods and drinks that appear around St. Patrick’s Day. Many of these products get their color from artificial dyes such as Yellow No. 5, Blue No. 1, and Green No. 3. These additives are common in processed foods and drinks and may contribute to issues like inflammation, headaches, digestive symptoms, and behavioral concerns in sensitive individuals.Meg also explains what alcohol does to your body — especially your blood sugar. Drinking on an empty stomach can trigger hypoglycemia, dehydration, and the symptoms commonly known as a hangover. Understanding the physiology behind alcohol helps explain why many people feel shaky, fatigued, and crave junk food after a night of drinking.You’ll also learn:• Why potatoes are not the enemy of healthy eating• How artificial food dyes may affect your health• What actually causes hangovers and blood sugar crashes• The difference between food sensitivities and food allergies• Why hidden additives may trigger unexpected reactions• How functional nutrition testing can uncover root causes of symptomsAs always, the message is simple: tests, don’t guess. Functional nutrition testing can reveal food sensitivities, microbiome imbalances, micronutrient deficiencies, and other hidden factors affecting digestion, inflammation, and weight loss resistance.If you want to stop guessing about your health and become your own healthcare advocate, this episode will help you understand what your body may really be experiencing.Work With MegIf you’re ready to stop guessing and start understanding what your body actually needs, there are several ways to work with Meg.The BioUnique Boutique is a personalized, testing-guided approach to functional nutrition. Through targeted assessments—including food sensitivity testing, digestive analysis, and nutrient evaluation—Meg helps clients identify what’s driving their symptoms and build a plan rooted in data, not trends. This is for those who want answers, structure, and ongoing guidance.Your Diet Do-Over is designed for people who feel stuck in cycles of restriction, elimination diets, or “doing everything right” without results. This program focuses on rebuilding trust with food, identifying personal triggers, and creating a sustainable way of eating that supports energy, digestion, and inflammation without unnecessary rules or overwhelm. Schedule a Free CallNot sure where to start? You don’t have to figure it out alone.You can schedule a free call to talk through your symptoms, health history, and goals, and to see which option makes the most sense for you. This is a no-pressure conversation focused on clarity and next steps.Your symptoms are real.Your questions matter.And understanding your body is the first step forward.About Meg Meg Marie (AKA- Megnificent):Meg is a Registered Dietitian and Functional Nutrition practitioner who helps clients understand the science behind their symptoms. She debunks outdated beliefs like “calories in, calories out,” the overreliance on BMI, and the idea that food isn’t connected to chronic issues such as eczema, joint pain, or fatigue.Her work highlights the powerful role of genetics, microbiome balance, nutrient deficiencies, and food intolerances in shaping long‑term health. Meg bridges the gap between conventional medicine and functional nutrition, empowering people with evidence‑based strategies that support digestion, metabolism, hormones, immunity, and whole‑body wellness. Learn more at: HarmonywithFood.com