Can I Help Your Poop Problems? 6 Frequently Asked Questions I Get For Treating IBS, IBD, SIBO, or EoE, Gut Issues
Hi, nice to meet you. I will be coming out of the gate hot and talking about poop because it’s my job and I absolutely love it. And I want to get you feeling better as soon as possible so you can walk out of your house wearing your favorite pants without worrying about having to unbutton them in public. Or having to navigate a less-than-clean public bathroom. Or being concerned that your friends will hear all the noises your stomach is making during a movie. Just know, if that’s you, or if you’ve been diagnosed with SIBO, IBS, IBD, EoE, short bowel syndrome, long bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, or MASLD, we are here to support you. Want to know how? Start reading!
1. How Often Do You Work With IBS, SIBO, and Gut Issues?
Answer: On the daily. I am a gut health specialist and I love talking about the gut, researching the gut, and helping you improve it so that you can feel better about all the areas of your life. Our gut affects our mental health, metabolic health, social health, brain health, really all of the things. Did you know it can also affect how resilient you are to stress?? If we can get it functioning properly you will be able to take on more with ease.
Why specialization matters for complex GI conditions
The gut is a complex system that encompasses the whole body and can affect the whole body. No person or condition is ever the same either. Every GI case is unique and needs to be handled with care and attention to detail from a person knowledgeable enough to wade through the details with you and make a plan for your specific situation and health goals. Elimination diets, therapeutic diets, restriction is not always a good way to go but unfortunately many providers use those tools and will put you on a generic protocol because it can help you feel better temporarily. My work as a gut health nutritionist is to get you feeling better with as much variety and diversity as we can as we work to restore your gut function. I also have in-depth knowledge, experience and education around conditions such as IBS, IBD, SIBO, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, MCAS, gastroparesis, slow motility, and food sensitivities, just to name a few.
Red flags to look for when searching for care: someone with a protocol and a lot of promises
This one is very common and drives me nuts. A common protocol for GI issues is to recommend high fiber foods, probiotics, and gut supplements without being aware of the nuance that comes with these recommendations. For some people, all of the above can make everything worse. A SIBO or IBS specialist will work with you to figure out what helps reduce your gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea without using generic protocols or foods that cause pain and cramping.
2. What Testing Do You Use — and When?
Answer: We have so many awesome tools at our disposal, and knowing when and what to use is an art form. I first and foremost rely on what you are telling me about your symptoms and unique situation and we work with our clinical and food tools first. Testing is a case-by-case situation, with the main con being the cost, and the main pro being getting answers.
When testing is useful vs. when it's overhyped
TL;DR: Individualized care, not $1000+ in testing
Contrary to what you hear on social media, not everyone needs specialized testing. If you’ve been through the wringer with searching for answers and solutions, a test might drill down the specifics of what is causing the problem so that we can get it resolved. If we can tweak your nutrition plan to help you feel better and you realize that maybe dairy is not your BFF, you might not need specialty testing.
Overview of common tests: breath testing (SIBO), food sensitivity panels, microbiome stool testing
There are two major things to look for with testing, besides having a qualified practitioner help you review the results:
1. Sensitivity and specificity, or how accurate a test is
2. Actionable results. Even if it’s the coolest test, not being able to apply it to your life is kinda worthless
For bloating, IBS, gas, constipation, etc we can look at SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Breath Test
For both chronic and acute gut issues, we can run stool testing that looks at how you are digesting foods, the composition of your gut microbiome, inflammation levels, and how your gut could be affecting your mental health
Food sensitivities: I use these sparingly. I want to know why you aren’t breaking down foods and how we can support digestion and your gut ecosystem vs. the band-aid fix that is eliminating multiple different foods. There are some cases where a food sensitivity test is helpful though (but not a first line of defense)
3. Do You Use Evidence-Based Nutrition Approaches?
Answer: Absolutely. Evidence-based means that there is real research and clinical evidence that an intervention is safe and will provide benefit. It’s how we avoid wasting precious time and money chasing trends that don’t work. I incorporate this with a more holistic approach because I do believe that your individual experience won’t always be recognized in a clinical study. If you want to tell me that a spiritual guru changed your life, I’m here for it.
What evidence-based means in GI nutrition
In this case, it means that we approach your gut issues with well-tested and verified therapeutic diets (if needed), foods, herbs, and supplements. I would never recommend a fad diet or wellness influencer protocol, usually there’s a monetary rationale behind those ones.
4. Do You Coordinate With GI Doctors?
Answer: I coordinate with the whole care team, and especially GI doctors. If you don’t currently have a GI doctor, we can find a good fit together. I want to work with you and your care team so you get one comprehensive plan vs. feeling like you’re being pulled in five different directions. If you’re told to trial a low FODMAP diet, or low histamine diet, but then given no resources, talking to a gut health nutritionist like myself will help without all of the stress!
What to expect: shared notes, referral networks, collaborative treatment plans
Coordination with your GI doctor and your care team usually looks like shared updates, notes, labwork, and collaboration to ensure your treatment plan is effective without all the hassle. It’s also safer, as we can make sure the info doesn’t contradict each other.
5. Do You Accept Insurance, HSA, or FSA?
Answer: Across the board yes! I accept all three, with insurance coverage varying by plan and state. Nutrition visits are generally covered. Here’s a whole FAQ section about how to verify your coverage, and you can always reach out if you have questions!
HSA/FSA can be a practical alternative if for some reason your plan doesn’t cover GI conditions
I also have package deals to make care as accessible as possible for those who are under-insured or have more restrictive plans
6. What Does a Typical Treatment Timeline Look Like?
Answer: If someone ever tells you treating SIBO or IBS can be done quickly and it lasts forever, just run away. Quick fixes are a big red flag. The gut is complex and it takes time to support all of the functions after treating the root cause. What’s important is having a partner on the healing journey as you navigate your own IBS treatment timeline, or SIBO timeline. Realistically, this can take a few months or longer, which is why having someone who specializes in GI health and can investigate your root causes can make the process much less stressful.
Finding the Right Gut Health Dietitian Changes Everything
Dealing with IBS, SIBO, or chronic gut issues is so exhausting — and the last thing you need is to invest time and money into a provider who isn't the right fit. These six questions give you a real framework for evaluating whether a gut health nutritionist has the experience, tools, and approach to actually move the needle for you.
The right dietitian/nutritionist won't just hand you a meal plan. They'll run the right tests at the right time, work alongside your GI doctor, use approaches backed by research, and set honest expectations about how long healing actually takes. That combination — expertise, collaboration, and transparency — is what separates a frustrating experience from a genuinely transformative one.
You deserve care that takes your gut health seriously. And now you know exactly what to look for.
Ready to Work With a Dietitian Who Specializes in IBS and SIBO?
If you've been struggling with bloating, pain, unpredictable digestion, or a diagnosis that still leaves you with more questions than answers, you don't have to figure it out alone.
We'll talk through your personal health history, what you've already tried, what testing might make sense, and whether we're the right fit for your goals — no pressure, no commitment. If you like the vibes and feel like we’re a good fit, we’ll get you started on the journey to feeling more comfortable.
