SIBO and Gastroparesis: The Truth About Diet, Food Triggers & Nutrition

What should you eat if you have SIBO and gastroparesis? In this episode of Spoonful of Spite, Sam sits down with GI dietitian Stephanie Mendez to break down the complicated, and often confusing, world of nutrition for SIBO, gastroparesis, and chronic digestive symptoms. Stephanie shares her journey into GI nutrition and explains why there is no single “SIBO diet” or gastroparesis diet that works for everyone. They discuss the differences between the low FODMAP diet and low fermentation diet, how gastroparesis changes the way patients may need to approach meal size and timing, and why individualized nutrition plans are so important. The conversation also dives into elemental diets and using medical food like mBIOTA, probiotics, constipation, symptom tracking, food triggers, and dietary trial and error. Sam and Stephanie discuss why restrictive diets can sometimes create additional challenges for people with chronic GI conditions and why working with a knowledgeable GI dietitian can help patients make changes more strategically and safely. They also explore the emotional toll of constantly trying to figure out what foods your body will tolerate, and the importance of having support from healthcare professionals and the chronic illness community along the way. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition advice. Dietary changes, including restrictive or elemental diets, should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.