GI Disorders | Ideal Nutrition

07 Jan 2026

SIBO: What’s Evidence-Based and What’s Not

SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, is a digestive disorder where too many bacteria, especially the wrong types, grow in the small intestine, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nutrient malabsorption. Normally, the small intestine is much lower in bacteria than the large intestine. SIBO occurs when there are noticeably more bacteria there than normal. In certain areas of the wellness community, SIBO is frequently presented as the root cause of a lot of digestive issues. Meanwhile, the evidenced based medical community tends to be a bit more cautious with diagnosing it. This post will…

14 Jun 2023

By Aidan Muir

Nutrition Strategies for Addressing Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD) is a condition where stomach acid comes back up your oesophagus. This can irritate the lining of the oesophagus and result in other symptoms such as heartburn. There are many dietary and lifestyle approaches that can be implemented to reduce the likelihood of reflux occurring. Mechanism Typically, the lower oesophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass through and then closes tightly to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up. If the sphincter relaxes, food can push upwards through this opening and cause acid reflux. Two main variables involved in GERD are: The amount…

03 May 2023

By Leah Higl

Managing IBS on a Plant-Based Diet: A Guide to Low FODMAP for Vegans

As a vegan dietitian, I am often asked about the compatibility of a low FODMAP diet with a plant-based lifestyle. The good news is that it is possible to follow both a low FODMAP and plant-based diet, but it does require some extra attention and planning. Firstly, let’s break down what FODMAPs are. FODMAPs are a group of short-chain carbohydrates poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can cause digestive symptoms in some people, particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. Common sources of FODMAPs include wheat, onions, garlic, legumes, and…

29 Sep 2022

By Aidan Muir

Are Probiotics Helpful for IBS?

Probiotics are an option that can be utilised to help manage and improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There is evidence that they can help with improving symptoms of bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, and other aspects of IBS. Research on their effectiveness is mixed—some people find them helpful, while others do not. This variability likely comes down to the many different types of probiotics, as well as the diverse forms and causes of IBS. This post will cover the research on this topic while also providing some practical recommendations. How/Why Could Probiotics Help Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms,…

05 Jan 2022

By Leah Higl

CSID: How To Manage Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency

What is CSID? Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID) is a genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to digest certain sugars. Sucrase and isomaltase are enzymes produced in the lining of the small intestine to break down sucrose and maltose/isomaltose (starches). But with this condition, there is a relative deficiency of these enzymes. Therefore, when a person with CSID consumes sucrose or maltose they may experience unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common symptoms are loose bowel movements or diarrhoea, along with bloating, although some people may also experience vomiting. A familiar way to think about CSID would be to compare it…

19 Nov 2021

By Leah Higl

Do High Protein Diets Negatively Impact Gut Health? A Review of the Evidence

Diet significantly affects the health and composition of the gut microbiome. Recently, there has been a lot of talk around high protein diets and their impact on gut health. High-protein diets may specifically have a negative impact on gut health. However, it appears there are several dietary strategies that can help protect your gut health while following a high-protein diet. These include: Maintaining a high fibre intake. Having a diverse range of plant foods in your diet. Limiting fat intake to <40% of caloric intake. Moderating intake of red and processed meats. The Research - “The Korean Study” One study…

28 Sep 2021

By Leah Higl

Diverticular Disease: What To Eat & How To Reduce Flare-Ups

Diverticular disease is when small abnormal pouches form in the bowel wall. This condition has two different classifications. Diverticulosis - this is the formation of the pouches in the bowel wall. Diverticulitis - is the inflammation or infection of these small pouches in the bowel wall. Diverticulosis can be present and remain without symptoms, causing no issues at all. However, the issue is when diverticulitis develops. However, only 10-25% of people with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis. Diverticulitis may present with abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and/or blood in the faeces. Management of the active states of diverticular disease often…

22 Sep 2021

By Leah Higl

Complete Food Chemical Elimination Diet List | What To Eat

Welcome To The Food Chemical Elimination Diet Guide The food chemical elimination diet guide is also available as a searchable (CTRL+F) PDF download. This is based on the elimination phase of what is known as the RPAH Elimination Diet or The Failsafe Diet. Just a few things to note before you move on to the guide. Only eat food listed as low in food chemicals whilst on the elimination diet. Avoid foods that are moderate to high in food chemicals. Although foods that are moderate in food chemicals may not cause symptoms in less sensitive people. You may wish to…

01 Sep 2021

By Leah Higl

What Is The Best Probiotic For You? Strain Specificity

Probiotic supplementation has been a key topic in gut health discussions for decades. Choosing a suitable probiotic supplement can be overwhelming. I was in the chemist the other day and walked by a huge range of probiotics. Each claimed to have a very specific purpose: IBS Constipation Mood Stress relief Immune support Women’s health Skin support Heart health It made me wonder, are all of these probiotics really that much different from one another? Or is it all marketing? What Are Probiotics? Probiotics are living microorganisms that when consumed can contribute to improved gut health. The most common probiotic bacteria…

27 Aug 2021

By Leah Higl

The Complete Low FODMAP List of Foods to Eat and Avoid

Welcome to The Low FODMAP Food Guide! The Low FODMAP Food Guide is also available as a searchable (Ctrl+F) PDF download. This guide contains a comprehensive list of foods and their FODMAP content. If you want to know how to properly implement The Low FODMAP Diet, our blog post specifically on that topic would be the place to go. When using the complete low FODMAP food guide, note the following: Aim to eat low FODMAP serving sizes only whilst on the low FODMAP diet. Portion sizes are per meal/sitting. All fats and oils are low FODMAP. You can even use…