The Weekly Digest
Discover the latest in nutrition – from reliable research to practical tips and wholesome recipes dished out by registered dietitians. Whether you're seeking science-backed insights, expert advice, or delicious ways to nourish your body, we've got you covered!
IBS: Why Eating Enough Matters for Gut Health
When people think about managing IBS, the focus is often on what foods to avoid: FODMAPs, gluten, dairy, sugar, or “trigger foods.” What’s talked about far less is how much you’re eating.
As a dietitian, one of the most common patterns I see in clients with IBS is chronic under-eating, whether intentional or unintentional. And here’s the important part: not eating enough can directly disrupt GI function and worsen IBS symptoms, even when food choices are “perfect.”
Understanding Fiber and How to Use It for Gut Health
Fiber is often treated as a single nutrient, but in reality it is a diverse group of compounds with very different effects in the digestive tract. Understanding which fiber you’re consuming matters far more than simply trying to “get more.” This is especially true for people dealing with constipation, bloating, IBS, or inflammatory bowel conditions.
What Working With a Dietitian at Northern Nutrition Group Is Actually Like
Searching for a nutrition expert can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve tried plans, programs, or providers in the past that didn’t quite fit your expectations. At Northern Nutrition Group, our approach is different. We focus on practical, sustainable nutrition support that works with your life, not against it.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to work with a registered dietitian, and whether nutrition counseling is worth it, this post will walk you through exactly what to expect.
Understanding SIBO: Why Personalized Nutrition Matters
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when excessive bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, which normally contains relatively few microbes. When this balance shifts, bacteria ferment food earlier than they should, producing gas and byproducts that lead to symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and early fullness.
Vitamin D Supplementation During the Winter Months
As the days grow shorter and the temps begin to drop, many Montanans find themselves spending much less time outdoors. While cozy evenings and snow-covered peaks make winter beautiful, the lack of sunlight can lead to a hidden nutritional deficiency: Vitamin D.
The Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy: A Difficult Balance
As far back as ancient Greece, physicians noticed that fasting could reduce seizure activity. In the 1920s, doctors at the Mayo Clinic developed the ketogenic diet to reproduce the benefits of fasting without complete food deprivation. By sharply limiting carbohydrates and emphasizing fats, the body shifts from using glucose for energy to burning fat and producing ketones, molecules that may help calm overactive nerve cells (Rho, 2017).
For nearly a century, the ketogenic diet (KD) has served as a powerful medical tool for treating epilepsy. For people whose seizures don’t respond to medication, it offers another path that can be life changing when it works, though not without its challenges.
Weight Bias in Healthcare Is Harming Patients And We Need to Talk About It
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist practicing from a Health at Every Size framework, I’ve heard countless stories from clients about the weight stigma they face in medical settings. One recently shared, “When trying to sell me on a GLP-1 I never asked for, nor was weight loss a priority of mine, my doctor told me it's surprising how little we really need to eat to survive. All I had wanted from this appointment was a blood test to check on my thyroid because I just don’t have energy lately.”