Struggling with bloating, unpredictable bowel movements, or food triggers? The IBS Nutrition Podcast is your go-to resource for understanding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and finding lasting relief through science-backed IBS diets, elimination diets, and gut-friendly lifestyle strategies.ย
Whether you're dealing with abdominal pain, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or food sensitivities, we help you identify your IBS triggersโfrom high FODMAP foods and artificial sweeteners to dairy products, gluten, and fermentable carbohydrates.ย
Hosted by Jessie Wong, a FODMAP-certified registered dietitian, this podcast breaks down:ย
โ๏ธ IBS diet tips โ Learn about foods to avoid, the FODMAP diet, and soluble vs. insoluble fiberย
โ๏ธ Gut health science โ How your digestive system, gut bacteria, and small intestine affect IBSย
โ๏ธ Symptom management โ Strategies for bloating, IBS flares, bowel habits, and excessive gasย
โ๏ธ Elimination & reintroduction phases โ Master the elimination diet and how to safely reintroduce foodsย
โ๏ธ Lifestyle hacks โ Improve your quality of life by managing stress, food anxiety, and IBS attacksย
I know firsthand how frustrating IBS can beโI used to suffer from debilitating gut issues, painful bloating, and unpredictable bowel movements. Now, I help people with IBS reclaim their health by understanding their medical history, food sensitivities, and digestive health.ย
๐ก If youโre ready to stop guessing and start healing, hit subscribe! Letโs navigate IBS together so you can enjoy food, travel, and life without fear.
Feeling dismissed by a doctor when youโre struggling with IBS symptoms can leave you with more questions than answers. How do you communicate what youโre experiencing, advocate for yourself and get the support you actually need?
Dr. Johannah Ruddy knows this experience personally. After developing severe digestive symptoms following an E. coli infection, she spent 10 years navigating normal test results, medical dismissal and increasingly restrictive eating before finally receiving a diagnosis of post-infectious IBS.
Johannah is now a researcher, educator, author and patient advocate whose work focuses on IBS, disorders of gut-brain interaction, stigma, patient communication and the way patients experience the healthcare system.
In this conversation, Jessie and Johannah discuss what it means to advocate for yourself as an IBS patient and how to make the most of limited time with your healthcare provider. Johannah explains why it can help to prepare a one-page summary before your appointment, communicate how symptoms affect your everyday life and establish clear priorities for what you want from the visit.
They also explore IBS stigma, gender-based medical dismissal, shared decision-making and why managing IBS may involve support from more than one type of healthcare professional.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why a normal test result isnโt always good news when you still feel sick
What to include in a one-page summary for your doctor appointment
How to ask for a clear IBS diagnosis and a treatment plan you decide on together
Who belongs on an IBS care team, and when to get a second opinion
How stigma and gender-based dismissal affect IBS care
If youโve ever left a doctorโs appointment feeling unheard, uncertain about your IBS diagnosis or unsure what to ask next, this episode offers practical ways to communicate your experience and become a more active participant in your care.
Listen to the full episode to hear Johannahโs story in her own words, including what she told a new doctor to find a true partner in her care.
โYour tests are normal.โ But you still have pain, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. So what does that actually mean?
In Episode 35 of the IBS Nutrition Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Nicholas Talley, a leading neurogastroenterologist and researcher in disorders of gut-brain interaction, to explain what IBS actually is, why routine tests can be normal, and what evidence-based treatment looks like.
One of his most important points: IBS is probably several diseases, not one.
For some people, gut dysfunction may come first and later affect mood, anxiety, or other symptoms. For others, stress or changes involving the brain may come first and influence gut function. The symptoms may look similar, but the pathway behind them may be different.
We also talk about the gut microbiome, including why Dr. Talley does not currently recommend commercial microbiome testing to guide IBS treatment, and where dietary approaches like fiber, Low FODMAP, and Mediterranean-style eating fit into care.
Then we move into emerging research on IBS, constipation, and Parkinsonโs disease. Importantly, having IBS does not mean you will develop Parkinsonโs disease. Dr. Talley explains what researchers are studying and why the gut may offer clues about disease mechanisms.
Finally, we discuss an area that deserves much more attention: food avoidance driven by gut symptoms. Some people with IBS begin eating less and less because food triggers pain or discomfort. Dr. Talley explains how clinicians can distinguish gut-driven restriction from a primary eating disorder, and why prescribing another restrictive diet to someone who is already severely limiting food can make things worse.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why IBS is a real condition even when routine tests are normal
Why IBS may represent several different disease processes
How clinicians make a positive IBS diagnosis
34. Do you Need to Cut Out Gluten for IBS? What about Celiac or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity?
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.
Iโm joined by Dr. Stefano Guandalini, co-founder of the University of Chicagoโs 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 โnon-celiac gluten sensitivityโ may not be the most accurate term. We also discuss why people often eliminate gluten and other foods without ever identifying whatโs 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
33. IBS and the Gut-Brain Connection: 3 Nervous System Tools for Relief with Dr. Megan Riehl
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.
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 Zoneโ: 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: Jessieโs Journey with IBS and Mission for Relief
00:54 - Introducing Sports Dietician and Digestive Health Expert Leslie Bonci
31. IBS and Probiotics: Evidence-Based Strains for Bloating and Relief
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.
"I think I lost 30 pounds in a month or in two months. And I went to a few different doctors and tried different herbs and supplements and nothing seemed to be helping. getting on the path of a specialist and seeing you... I felt a sense of hope and confidence return just right from the beginning.
โI 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.โ
Struggling with IBS-D, diarrhea, or SIBO symptoms that wonโt 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.
Youโll 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 โfix your gutโ 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:
29. IBS Triggers, Low FODMAP Diet & Eating Disorders: What You Need to Know with Beth Rosen
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 youโve 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 triggersโfood, stress, and sleepโand explain why symptoms can still happen even when youโre โdoing everything right.โ
They also dive into the nuances of the low FODMAP diet, including why itโs often misunderstood, why itโs 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
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 Parkinsonโs 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 โ Welcome to the IBS Nutrition Podcast
03:38 โ The FBI Connection: How lie detectors revealed the gut-brain linkย
07:47 โ Myth #1: Do healthy people really need to poop once a day?ย
09:34 โ Myth #2: The truth about laxative dependency and shameย
27. IBS Success Story: Healing IBS When Progress Is Slow and Non Linear
Living with IBS can slowly take over your life โ your food choices, your confidence, and your ability to travel or socialize. For Sarah, it meant extreme food restriction, canceled trips, significant weight loss, and being told by providers that her symptoms were โjust stress.โ
In this episode of the IBS Nutrition Podcast, Sarah shares her honest IBS journey โ from being dismissed and not getting the right medical testing, to finally being heard, rebuilding her nutrition, and reclaiming her life.
Sarah lived with debilitating abdominal pain, diarrhea up to eight to ten times per day, nausea, vomiting, food fear, and significant weight loss for nearly a year. Despite following restrictive diets, eliminating major food groups, and even undergoing gallbladder removal, her symptoms continued to worsen. In this episode, Sarah shares what finally helped her heal, why IBS recovery is not always fast, and how personalized care and advocacy changed everything.
This conversation highlights an often overlooked truth. IBS healing is not linear, and longer recovery timelines are common, especially in severe or complex cases.
In This Episode, Youโll Learn:
โ๏ธ What severe and long standing IBS symptoms can look like
โ๏ธ Why extreme food restriction and elimination diets can worsen IBS over time
โ๏ธ How lack of proper testing can delay accurate diagnosis and treatment
โ๏ธ The role of stress, anxiety, and the gut brain connection in IBS symptoms
โ๏ธ Why working with an IBS trained dietitian matters
โ๏ธ How structured food journaling and reintroduction rebuild confidence with food
โ๏ธ What life looks like after IBS symptoms improve, including eating out and traveling
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[31:58] Final advice: advocating for yourself with IBS
โญ 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.ย
โญ 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.ย
