Welcome to Anchored Nutrition Therapy!

Irritable bowel syndrome is among the most common reasons folks see a gastroenterologist. I want you to know that I understand, I have had IBS since I was about 10, so over 30 years. I can remember multiple trips to the doctors, an endoscopy, and a small bowel biopsy to rule out celiac. Blood tests, keeping logs of food, and how my stool looked. Being weighed each time, a barium swallow study, and more. In the end, I was informed I had IBS. Over the years it has mostly been diarrhea-predominant. I can remember as a young child having accidents and having to change clothes. I also remember trying peppermint capsules and not having the best side effects. It tended to improve and quieten and then flare up at times and more or less I learned to live with it. I have found that eating a lot of lentils, beans, cauliflower, and fiber-rich foods can cause gas and bloating. Loose stools occur in the morning, and sometimes coffee can be hard to tolerate. Also very spicy foods, biriyani in particular, it is very much affected by stress. Travel can also be very hard, I have had times of looking for a bathroom on landing after a flight, also I find I can get anxious if sharing hotels or an Airbnb if there are not 2 bathrooms as I know I will more than likely need to go early morning. It can be embarrassing and unpredictable. 

I share all of this to let you know that I truly understand. For a long time, I didn't like seeing others with the condition as it reminded me of my struggles but there is power in understanding, I trained in the low FODMAP approach and have taken many courses and read books on the condition. I want you to know that you can find triggers, be that FODMAPS, fatty or spicy foods, coffee, stress, the time of the month, lack of sleep, and so forth. You can look at the big picture and have a strong foundation of self-care, regular nourishing meals including just the right of fiber you can tolerate to also benefit from the heart health qualities of fiber and care for your microbiome, to develop tools to handle stress, for me mindful walks, and nature truly help. To ensure you get restorative sleep and have an understanding health care team. I like my primary care doctor and gastroenterologist. I have traveled so over 35 countries and found strategies to manage symptoms and thrive and I want this for you too. Sadly it is a chronic condition and there is no cure but symptoms can be managed and you can have adventures and approach it with self-compassion.