How to Find the Best Gut Health Dietitian Near You

A dietitian may refer to a healthy gut as a well-functioning digestive system with a robust microbiome that supports digestion and immune function. 

When all is well, your gut should successfully break down food into smaller, easy-to-absorb nutrients without digestive symptoms, such as bloating, cramping, or changes to your stool pattern.  

You can usually tell when something in your gut is off. You may experience more bloating, flatulence, cramping, or indigestion. Or, suddenly, foods you’ve tolerated well in the past may worsen your symptoms.

Instead of figuring out how to manage these symptoms independently, consider working with a gut health dietitian. 

Keep reading to learn more about gut health, how a dietitian can help you achieve positive results faster, and most importantly—where to find a reliable provider. 

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What is a Gut Health Dietitian?

A gut health registered dietitian is a nutrition expert specializing in the nutritional management of digestive disorders. Any of these conditions can benefit from meeting with a dietitian: 

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
• Irritable bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. 
• Celiac disease. 
• Acid reflux. 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 
• Bloating. 
• Constipation. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Ongoing nausea. 
• Food intolerances. 
• Allergies. 

You’ll receive personalized advice during scheduled nutrition appointments to help you feel your best. 

This may include dietary changes to your current meals, expanding your recipe library, learning to be a savvy shopper, and identifying (and avoiding) food triggers that may worsen your symptoms. 

Role in Managing Digestive Issues 

Food and nutrition directly impact digestive health, but unfortunately, knowing what to eat and drink may be challenging if you're coping with several symptoms. 

Having a specialized dietitian in your corner can make achieving your health goals much simpler and more enjoyable.  

Your dietitian can help you manage digestive issues by developing a treatment plan that: 

• Decreases symptoms. 
• Improves microbial diversity and volume. 
• Increases your nutrition literacy skills.  
• Identifies possible trigger foods. 
• Corrects (and prevents) nutritional deficiencies. 

In addition to clinical outcomes, your dietitian provides a safe space for you to discuss all your nutrition and health concerns. 

Together, you can build a holistic care plan that’s sustainable and customized to your health goals.

Specialization in IBS

IBS is a prevalent digestive disorder and can be difficult to manage without expert nutrition guidance. 

To help ease symptoms linked to IBS (bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, gas, etc.), your dietitian may recommend a nutrition intervention called the low FODMAP diet. 

To follow this approach, you’ll need to temporarily eliminate several foods containing carbohydrates known to worsen IBS symptoms.

Afterward, you’ll slowly reintroduce FODMAPS back into your diet and assess your tolerance. 

In addition to the low FODMAP approach, your dietitian can review other natural treatment therapies, like using mindfulness techniques, taking peppermint oil, and much more. 

Meeting with a dietitian is a worthwhile investment in your health. Research demonstrates that people with IBS who meet with a dietitian are more likely to experience symptom improvements.

They also feel more confident in managing their nutrition and health long-term. 

Take our free gut health quiz to learn whether your digestive symptoms suggest possible IBS.

5 Best Gut Health Dietitians

Rachael Martin, MS, RDN, LD, CEDS

Rachael Martin is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 30 years experience assisting patients with a variety of nutritional concerns. Her primary specialty is with Eating Disorders, Body Image, and Weight Management/Obesity. Rachael is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through IAEDP. Other areas of practice are Vegetarianism/Plant Based Eating, Diabetes, Mental Health Nutrition, and Heart Disease.

Lynda Lawrence, RDN, LDN

Lynda is a registered dietitian and certified yoga instructor that has experience with patients from diverse backgrounds. She has vast experience in diabetes, thyroid disorders, women's health, gut health, kidney disease, pediatrics, among others. She also speaks Spanish! She always takes an evidence-based approach and stays up to date on the latest research.

Allison Stowell, MS, RD, CDN

For over twenty years, Allison has focused on eating and body image disorders, PCOS, diabetes, heart disease, GI disorders, obesity and more. Her services are offered to children, teens, and adults. Allison helps people develop a safe relationship with food, not through dieting, but by helping them focus on the foods they can eat even when faced with difficult circumstances.

Caitlin Goodman, MS, RD, LD

Caitlin is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Nutrition from the University of Utah. She has experience working in both clinical and performance nutrition settings.

Prior to starting at Nourish, Caitlin worked as an outpatient dietitian, primarily working with chronic disease patients. Most recently, Caitlin was working with collegiate and professional athletes as a sports dietitian. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys trail running, cooking, and spending time with her Mini Aussie Bear.

Julie Engberg, RDN, LDN, CLC

Experienced dietitian, Julie has worked for over 23 years helping others to change their approach to food and eating habits to feel better.

Julie is a skilled clinician in behavior change, weight management, dysfunctional eating patterns, Type 2 diabetes, and nutrition for mental health and substance use disorder.

Julie is a Certified Lactation Educator, and skilled in prenatal and postnatal nutrition.

Why Should You See a Gut Health Dietitian?

Here are some signs you might benefit from meeting with a gut health dietitian: 

• Constantly Googling your symptoms and possible treatments. 
• Feeling confused about what to eat or drink. 
• Feeling afraid to eat because it could worsen symptoms. 
• Feeling frustrated that your symptoms aren’t improving (despite making changes independently.) 
• Mindlessly buying supplements, probiotics, and other products without knowing if they will help. 

Working with a qualified healthcare provider makes you more likely to achieve symptom relief. Also, you might gain valuable insight and better understand your digestive health. 

Individualized Meal Planning

Your digestive health is influenced by your microbiome, food and beverage choices, antibiotics, level of physical activity, stress levels—and many other factors. 

Likely, your nutrition and beverage choices are better than you think (we can all be a little hard on ourselves), but there might be room for personalization to help you feel better. 

Receiving individualized meal planning support is just one way a dietitian can help. They’ll ensure your meals are balanced, delicious, and rich in nutrients that support a healthy gut, such as fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

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Identifying Trigger Foods

Some foods may indeed trigger or worsen your digestive symptoms. However, 

identifying a trigger food can be challenging because many dishes contain several ingredients. 

A dietitian has the knowledge and skills to help you recognize food triggers and, most importantly, can teach you how to avoid them so that you feel more comfortable after eating.   

Evidence-Based Recommendations

One of the best reasons to work with a dietitian is they offer evidence-based recommendations, which include dietary changes that are most likely to benefit your gut health. 

There’s rarely a perfect solution that will cure your digestive symptoms overnight, but following science-backed guidelines eliminates the “guesswork” out of treatment, meaning you should feel better faster.  

Collaboration with Other Gut Health Professionals

It’s common for a dietitian to work alongside other gut health professionals, such as a gastroenterologist, to provide you with the best possible care.  

A gastroenterologist is a physician specializing in digestive health. They help diagnose and manage digestive illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and other conditions. 

They usually don’t offer comprehensive nutrition advice. Instead, they can recommend medications and specialized treatments or procedures to ease your symptoms and improve gut health. 

How to Find a Registered Dietitian Specializing in Gut Health

Ready to find someone qualified to help you make dietary changes? Below are simple steps to finding a gut health dietitian.

Online Search

The internet can be helpful when you learn how to search for information efficiently.

To get meaningful results for your query, try to incorporate target words such as “gut health dietitian” in your searches instead of vague phrases like “nutritionist near me.”

You can further optimize your search results by including details that are important to you. For example, “Latin gut health dietitian.” or “Gut health dietitian with eating disorder experience.” 

Referrals

Your doctor or specialist may refer you to a dietitian.

You can ask them at your next appointment or contact their office. Typically, a secretary or admin staff member can direct you. 

Additionally, friends and family may also have recommendations that could be valuable. 

Recommendations from Support Groups or Forums

If you’ve made connections in a support group or online community—consider asking your peers for dietitian recommendations. 

People who relate to you have likely considered visiting a dietitian themselves, and sometimes, receiving a word-of-mouth referral can ensure your decision to book an appointment.

Always thoroughly research friends' and peers' recommendations to ensure you and the dietitian are a good fit. 

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Gut Health Dietitian 

To get to know your dietitian, ask questions about their nutrition practice, philosophies, and other details that feel important to you. 

Here are some questions to ask: 

• What can I expect during our first visit? 
• How frequently can I see you? 
• Do you take insurance? 
• Are you available for online visits or in person? 
• How long have you been practicing?
• What’s your nutrition approach for treating gut health? 
• Can I bring someone with me to my appointment? 

Many dietitians offer free discovery calls (approximately 15 minutes or less) so you can get to know each other.

It’s reasonable to book a few calls with different people to understand who you’d like to work with. 

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Tips for Working with a Gut Health Dietitian

Before your appointment, completing a three to seven-day food diary that includes your meals, beverage intake, and digestive symptoms can be helpful.

You can include other details like your mood, stress level, and physical activity if there is a connection to your gut health. 

During your appointment, your dietitian will review this information, and together, you’ll develop a treatment plan.

These discussions should be collaborative, and your dietitian will want to ensure you’re on board with the suggested changes. 

Many dietitians wrap up a counseling session by reviewing key nutrition concepts from your visit.

After, you may want to set goals to work on until your next appointment, or you can ask your dietitian for specific next steps.  

If you need help or have questions, you’re always encouraged to contact your dietitian between visits. 

Takeaway

A registered dietitian can help you make dietary and lifestyle changes that support a healthy digestive system. 

During your appointments, your dietitian will review your eating behaviors and symptoms. They’ll offer personalized changes that are most likely to improve your symptoms. 

Additionally, they may connect with other specialists on your team to ensure recommendations align with your treatment plan. 

Remember that behavior change and digestion relief can take time, so plan to spend a few appointments together before you feel better. 

Work With a Nourish Dietitian 

Nourish registered dietitians offer remote nutrition counseling, and popular insurance providers cover most visits. 

Find a gut health dietitian and start making evidence-based dietary changes proven to support a healthy digestive system.