Send us Fan Mail

Gluten gets blamed for countless digestive symptoms, but is it really the problem? In this episode, we explore the difference between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (non-celiac wheat sensitivity), and why some people who feel better gluten-free may actually be reacting to something else.

I’m joined by Dr. Stefano Guandalini, co-founder of the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center, and Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski, a leading researcher in non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

We cover celiac symptoms and diagnosis, the role of blood tests and biopsies. Gluten, fructans (FODMAP), the placebo and nocebo effect, and why “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” may not be the most accurate term. We also discuss why people often eliminate gluten and other foods without ever identifying what’s actually causing their symptoms.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why celiac disease is so often missed, even by doctors
• How celiac disease is diagnosed through blood testing and biopsy
• What the research really shows about gluten versus fructans (FODMAP) and other triggers
• The role of the gut-brain connection in non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Why cutting out food before testing can make diagnosis harder

If you've ever wondered whether gluten is really the issue, or suspected it might be something else in your diet, this conversation will give you a much clearer picture.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guests

05:50 Celiac disease prevalence and why rates are rising

09:32 Why celiac disease is so difficult to diagnose

13:19 Celiac disease symptoms, gastrointestinal and beyond

16:04 How celiac disease is diagnosed: blood tests and biopsy

20:43 What to do if you're already gluten-free before getting tested

22:45 Why you shouldn't eliminate gluten before celiac testing

25:33 What is non-celiac gluten sensitivity

31:08 What the research shows about gluten-specific reactions

32:54 Why "gluten sensitivity" may be the wrong term

40:41 Why people feel better gluten-free, even without a gluten reaction

46:15 The nocebo effect and the gut-brain connection explained

52:51 A new research study recruiting IBS patients

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

Do you get sweaty, dizzy, clammy feeling on the toilet?

If your scopes came back "normal" but your symptoms are very real, this episode is for you. GI psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl joins Jessie to unpack why IBS is now classified as a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), what the vasovagal response has to do with your flare-ups, and how your autonomic nervous system may be driving cramping, urgency, and that clammy "oh no" bathroom feeling.

You'll learn:

• What DGBI actually means and why the name change matters
• The science behind the gut-brain axis and vasovagal reactions
• When to consider working with a GI psychologist
• 3 evidence-based tools you can use today: diaphragmatic breathing, body scanning, and gentle movement

Dr. Riehl is Director of the GI Behavioral Health Program at the University of Michigan and co-author of Mind Your Gut. Tune in for validating science and practical relief you can start using today.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mind Your Gut book by Dr. Megan Riehl & Kate Scarlata
• Dr. Riehl's diaphragmatic breathing YouTube video
• The Gut Health Podcast

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:54 — Introduction: Why Your "Normal" Scopes Don't Mean It's All in Your Head
• 03:05 — What Is a DGBI? The Shift from "Functional" GI Disorders to Gut-Brain Interaction
• 05:56 — Common Symptoms Driven by the Gut-Brain Connection
• 06:54 — Vasovagal Reactions Explained: The Sweaty, Dizzy Bathroom Feeling
• 08:42 — Your Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic
• 11:49 — When to Work with a GI Psychologist (and How It's Different from General Therapy)
• 15:21 — Tool #1: Diaphragmatic Breathing to Calm Your Gut
• 18:02 — Tool #2: Body Scanning to Release Hidden Tension
• 22:08 — Tool #3: Gentle Movement Without the All-or-Nothing Mindset
• 24:49 — Rapid Fire: Weeknight Dinners, Coffee, and Dr. Riehl's 60-Second Nervous System Reset

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

Are you tired of your gut getting in the way of your workouts. Today on the IBS Nutrition Podcast, we are bridging the gap between digestive health and physical performance.

I am joined by my former mentor, Leslie Bonci, a registered sports dietitian who has worked with everyone from Olympic athletes to everyday people looking to hit their health goals. We discuss the unintended consequences of trendy elimination diets, how the physical jostling of your gut impacts your digestion, and the clinical reality behind the sports supplement industry.

The 3 Biggest Takeaways From This Episode:

1. The Danger of Unintended Food Elimination: The Unintended Consequences of Extreme Elimination: Discover why cutting out carbs, dairy, or staying on the low-FODMAP diet for too long ruins your performance, depletes your gut microbiome, and makes your gut "lazy" over time.

2. Timing, Volume, and Form for Exercise: The Performance Trifecta (Timing, Volume, and Form): Learn why fiber-maxing before a workout is a recipe for disaster, when to actually start carb-loading for an event, and how to use sugar with a purpose to keep your stomach calm.

3. Navigating the Supplement "Danger Zone”: Supplement Savvy vs. The Health Halo: A look into the dark side of popular fitness supplements. We break down hidden high-FODMAP triggers (like sugar alcohols) and why mega-dosing concentrated herbals could be risking your liver health.

Guest Bio:

Leslie Bonci is a registered dietitian, sports dietitian, and owner of Active Eating Advice. She is a former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the author of the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Meet Your Host: Jessie’s Journey with IBS and Mission for Relief
• 00:54 - Introducing Sports Dietician and Digestive Health Expert Leslie Bonci
• 04:44 - Trend-Based Food Exclusions and Their Dangerous Side Effects
• 07:36 - The Hidden Nutritional Risks of Going Plant-Based or Vegetarian
• 10:40 - Why Cutting Carbs Makes Athletes Slower, Weaker, and Fatigued
• 13:55 - The 8-Week Limit: Why You Must Reintroduce Low-FODMAP Foods
• 18:11 - Managing the Active Gut: How Exercise Changes Your Digestion
• 19:59 - The Correct Way to Carb-Load Without Feeling Bloated
• 23:52 - Fiber Overload: Why More Is Not Always Better for Gut Comfort
• 30:58 - Supplement Pitfalls: Hidden FODMAPs and Third-Party Testing
• 34:45 - The Danger Zone: Supplements Linked to Liver and Kidney Stress

Resources Mentioned:

• Listen to Episode 5: Deep Dive Into the Low-FODMAP Diet Protocol

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

Are you overwhelmed by the "biotic" buzzwords? From probiotics and prebiotics to the newer post-biotics and syn-biotics, the world of gut health supplements can feel like the Wild West. For many IBS warriors, the question remains: are these products life-changing medicine or just expensive, overhyped supplements?

In this episode, host Jessie Wong, RD, is joined by global probiotic expert Dragana Skokovic-Sunji and Mayo Clinic gastroenterology fellow Dr. John Damianos. Together, they strip away the marketing jargon to reveal the actual science behind gut microbiota. You will learn why the term "probiotic" is legally unregulated in the U.S. and why taking the wrong strain could not only waste your money but potentially worsen your symptoms.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The difference between Probiotics (live bacteria) and Prebiotics (food for bacteria).
• Why U.S. regulation considers probiotics "supplements," allowing for major labeling discrepancies.
• The importance of Strain Specificity: Why one Lactobacillus isn't the same as another.
• How to access the Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products to see which brands have actual human evidence.

Tune in to discover the "first, middle, and last name" of bacteria and how to use the Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products to find a strain tailored specifically to your IBS symptoms.

Resources Mentioned:

• Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products: usprobioticguide.com
• Alliance for Education on Probiotics: aeprobio.com

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Navigating the complex world of IBS

03:59 – Defining the "Biotics": Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics

06:08 – Prebiotics 101: It’s more than just fiber

08:44 – Postbiotics: The science of bacterial metabolites

12:16 – The "Wild West": A frightening lack of regulation in the U.S.

16:02 – Labeling Loopholes: Why your probiotic might not contain what it claims

18:20 – Understanding Strains: Genus, Species, and the "Social Security Number" of bacteria

21:54 – How to use the Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products

23:58 – U.S. vs. Global Guidelines: Why recommendations for IBS vary

30:37 – Long-term Safety: Immunocompromised risks and the "black box" of chronic use

37:02 – Clinical Stories: From "giving life back" to dangerous reactions

45:46 – Emerging Research: Probiotics for Bile Acid Malabsorption

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

’I am going to report back to Jessie and Brooke that I tracked the Himalayas and I had zero flare-ups, zero fear,' and that actually came to be.”

Struggling with IBS-D, diarrhea, or SIBO symptoms that won’t go away?

In this episode of the IBS Nutrition Podcast, dietitian Jessie Wong is joined by Ian, a former client who went from severe IBS-D symptoms and rapid weight loss to full gut recovery and symptom-free travel in the Himalayas for a multi-day retreat with no gut symptoms at all.

Ian shares how chronic stress triggered his gut issues, how SIBO impacted his digestion, and why supplements and probiotics actually made things worse before he found the right approach.

You’ll hear how he used a structured plan including collaborating medical treatment between providers, the low FODMAP diet, and guided food reintroduction to stabilize his symptoms, rebuild his gut health, and regain confidence in eating and traveling.

This episode is especially helpful if you are dealing with IBS diarrhea, SIBO, bloating, or feel stuck trying to “fix your gut” on your own.

In this episode, we cover:

• IBS-D symptoms and why diarrhea can become severe
• How SIBO develops and why probiotics can sometimes worsen symptoms
• When antibiotics for SIBO are necessary and effective
• How the low FODMAP diet helps calm a sensitive gut
• Why food reintroduction and portion size matter more than restriction
• The role of stress and the gut-brain connection in IBS
• How Ian rebuilt his gut health and traveled internationally without flare-ups

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

03:35 – When IBS-D and SIBO symptoms started

07:45 – Rapid weight loss and worsening diarrhea

10:25 – Why probiotics made symptoms worse

12:18 – Getting the right diagnosis (IBS-D + SIBO)

14:05 – Starting the low FODMAP diet

16:39 – Food reintroduction and portion awareness

20:03 – Treating SIBO with antibiotics

22:46 – Second flare-up and diverticulitis

25:55 – Reintroducing fiber safely

26:56 – Traveling without IBS symptoms

31:40 – How diet variety improved gut health

35:22 – Mindful eating and the gut-brain connection

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and your IBS symptoms aren’t improving, this episode will help you understand what might be missing.

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the IBS Nutrition Podcast, IBS dietitian Jessie Wong is joined by GI and eating disorder specialist Beth Rosen to explore the complex relationship between IBS triggers, the low FODMAP diet, and disordered eating.

If you’ve been stuck in cycles of food restriction, confusion around IBS symptoms, or anxiety about what to eat, this episode will help you better understand your body and your triggers.

Beth shares her personal experience with post-infectious IBS, how she identified her own food triggers, and why IBS is not just about food. Together, Jessie and Beth break down the three main types of IBS triggers—food, stress, and sleep—and explain why symptoms can still happen even when you’re “doing everything right.”

They also dive into the nuances of the low FODMAP diet, including why it’s often misunderstood, why it’s not for everyone, and how doing it incorrectly can lead to food fear and disordered eating.

This is a must-listen if you:

• Seen multiple doctors/specialist & still feel stuck
• Feel confused about your IBS triggers
• Have tried the low FODMAP diet without success
• Are cutting out more and more foods but still have symptoms
• Struggle with food fear or disordered eating alongside IBS

Resources Mentioned:

Buy Beth’s book Gut Goals here

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction + Beth Rosen’s background

[03:09] The 3 main IBS triggers: food, stress & sleep

[05:36] Low FODMAP diet explained (and common mistakes)

[08:11] How food restriction leads to disordered eating

[09:45] IBS and eating disorders: the hidden connection

[11:27] Diet culture, intermittent fasting & fiber trends

[13:33] Red flags for disordered eating in IBS

[17:09] The ideal IBS care team

[18:51] Beth’s IBS story: post-infectious IBS & misdiagnosis

[22:31] Finding IBS triggers and long-term management

[23:37] Gluten sensitivity vs FODMAP intolerance

[26:17] What is post-infectious IBS?

[28:40] Accidental gluten exposure & symptom patterns

[31:58] Final advice: advocating for yourself with IBS

⭐ Love this episode? Leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need IBS support. As a special bonus, I want to give you FREE access to my signature IBS Course.

• Leave a review of this podcast

• Email a screenshot of your review to info@ibsdietitian.com

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/

Send us Fan Mail

Are you tired of straining, feeling bloated, or being told your gut issues are "all in your head"? Many IBS sufferers spend years navigating a maze of misinformation and dismissive medical advice, feeling like they have lost control over their own bodies.

In this episode, Jessie Wong sits down with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a Harvard gastroenterologist, Washington Post columnist, and author of the new book You've Been Pooping All Wrong, to rewrite the narrative on gut health. Dr. Pasricha introduces a revolutionary way to look at bowel movements, moving beyond simple fiber fixes to address the complex gut-brain interaction and the mechanics of the pelvic floor.

You will learn why your "normal" might not be healthy, how to finally make your bowel movements effortless, and why a surprising connection to the FBI sparked her career in gut-brain research.

Listen now to discover:

• 5 Common Pooping Myths Debunked: Why "normal" ranges from three times a day to once every three days, the truth about laxative dependency, and why you do not need to "detox" your colon.
• The 3 Ps of Pooping: A simple framework to improve your bowel habits by addressing Propulsion, Pliability, and the often-overlooked Pelvic Floor.
• The Gut-Brain Connection: Fascinating research on how IBS or constipation gut may be linked to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
• Practical Relief Tools: Why you need to ditch your smartphone in the bathroom, the benefits of adjusting your toilet posture, and the easiest diet change you can make today.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the IBS Nutrition Podcast

03:38 – The FBI Connection: How lie detectors revealed the gut-brain link

07:47 – Myth #1: Do healthy people really need to poop once a day?

09:34 – Myth #2: The truth about laxative dependency and shame

11:35 – Myth #3: Why constipation does not have a single definition

13:23 – Myth #4: Debunking "toxin" build-up and the detox industry

16:01 – Myth #5: Validating IBS—It is NOT just in your head

19:46 – The 3 P’s of Pooping: Propulsion, Pliability, and Pelvic Floor

28:46 – Three Practical Tools

Resources Mentioned:

• You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong By Dr. Trisha Pasricha
• IBS Nutrition Podcast: Episode 11 - How Pelvic Floor Therapy Supports IBS Relief with Dr. Molly Bachmann

⭐ Love this episode? Leave us a 5-star review! It helps us reach more people who need IBS support. As a special bonus, I want to give you FREE access to my signature IBS Course.

• Leave a review of this podcast

• Email a screenshot of your review to info@ibsdietitian.com

Get our help:
🌟 Join IBS Freedom Program - https://ibsdietitian.com/group-program/
👩🏻‍⚕️ Make an appointment https://ibsdietitian.com/1-1-appointments/
🖥️ Affordable IBS Self-Paced Course https://ibsdietitian.com/ibs-freedom/

🔔 Stay Connected & Get More Support
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ibs.dietitian
💬 Join our Facebook Community: IBS Support For Women

Free Resources:
🖥️ Free IBS Relief Masterclass: https://ibsdietitian.com/masterclass
📋 Free Symptom Tracker – Start tracking your symptoms today: https://poopedia.org/resources
🔗 Download your FREE Low FODMAP Starter Guide (grocery list, meal plan, and food swaps): https://ibsdietitian.com/resources/