Gut Health Dietitian in Montreal

Evidence-Based Nutrition for IBS, Acid Reflux, Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea & Digestive Health

Digestive symptoms can affect every part of your life—from what you eat and where you go, to your energy levels, confidence, work, travel, and social life.

If you're constantly dealing with bloating after meals, unpredictable bowel habits, acid reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or food intolerances, you're not alone. Millions of Canadians live with digestive conditions, yet many struggle to find answers that go beyond simply "avoid this food."

The good news is that nutrition can make a meaningful difference.

As a Registered Dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal nutrition, Emilia Morelli helps adults and teens identify the root causes of digestive symptoms and develop practical, sustainable nutrition strategies that support both symptom management and long-term gut health.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, or another digestive condition—or you've been experiencing symptoms without clear answers—you don't have to navigate it alone.

Together, we'll create a personalized nutrition plan that helps you eat with confidence, improve your quality of life, and feel your best.

Book your gut health nutrition consultation today.

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Why Work with a Dietitian Who Specializes in Gut Health?

Digestive conditions are complex.

Two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different symptoms, food triggers, nutritional needs, and treatment approaches.

That's why generic elimination diets, social media advice, or restrictive meal plans often leave people feeling frustrated—or worse.

Working with a dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal nutrition means receiving individualized, evidence-based care designed specifically for your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

Emilia provides personalized nutrition counselling for a wide range of digestive conditions, including:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Acid reflux (GERD)

  • Functional dyspepsia

  • Chronic bloating

  • Constipation

  • Chronic diarrhea

  • Crohn's Disease

  • Ulcerative Colitis

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Every recommendation is based on the latest scientific evidence—not nutrition myths or unnecessary food restrictions.

  • Celiac Disease

  • Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

  • Diverticular disease

  • Microscopic Colitis

  • Low FODMAP Diet guidance

  • Gut microbiome support

  • Food intolerances

  • Nutrition after gastrointestinal surgery

Conditions Treated

  • Living with inflammatory bowel disease can feel unpredictable.

    Symptoms often fluctuate between periods of remission and flare-ups, making it difficult to know what to eat.

    Nutrition therapy can help support:

    • Nutritional adequacy

    • Symptom management

    • Healthy weight maintenance

    • Recovery during and after flares

    • Prevention of nutrient deficiencies

    • Bone health

    • Long-term quality of life

    Emilia provides individualized recommendations based on your diagnosis, disease activity, medications, symptoms, and nutritional status.

    Because every person with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis experiences the condition differently, your nutrition plan will be personalized to your needs.

  • IBS is one of the most common digestive disorders and can cause:

    • Bloating

    • Gas

    • Abdominal pain

    • Constipation

    • Diarrhea

    • Mixed bowel habits

    • Urgency

    • Incomplete bowel movements

    Nutrition therapy is considered one of the most effective treatments for IBS.

    Emilia works with clients to identify symptom triggers, optimize fibre intake, determine whether a low FODMAP approach is appropriate, and gradually expand the diet whenever possible to support long-term gut health.

  • The low FODMAP diet is one of the most researched nutrition therapies for IBS—but it is also one of the most misunderstood.

    It is not intended to be a lifelong diet.

    When done correctly, it involves three distinct phases:

    1. Elimination

    2. Systematic reintroduction

    3. Personalization

    Without proper guidance, many people:

    • Stay in the elimination phase for too long

    • Eliminate more foods than necessary

    • Develop anxiety around eating

    • Miss important sources of fibre and nutrients

    • Never identify which foods actually trigger symptoms

    Emilia guides you through each phase of the process so that the diet remains a temporary diagnostic tool—not a permanent restriction.

    The ultimate goal is always to build the most varied diet your body comfortably tolerates, supporting both symptom relief and long-term nutritional health.

  • Frequent heartburn, acid reflux, throat clearing, chronic cough, or regurgitation can significantly impact your quality of life.

    Nutrition counselling may help reduce symptoms by identifying personal triggers, optimizing meal timing, adjusting portion sizes, and making practical dietary modifications without overly restricting your food choices.

  • Bloating is one of the most common reasons people seek nutrition counselling, yet it's often dismissed as "normal."

    While occasional bloating happens to everyone, persistent bloating after meals isn't something you simply have to live with.

    Bloating can result from many factors, including:

    • IBS

    • Food intolerances

    • Excess gas production

    • Constipation

    • Swallowing excess air

    • Pelvic floor dysfunction

    • Changes in the gut microbiome

    • Certain eating habits

    Rather than eliminating dozens of foods, Emilia helps identify your individual triggers while maintaining a balanced, enjoyable diet.

  • Constipation is more than simply "not going every day."

    It can include:

    • Hard stools

    • Straining

    • Feeling incompletely emptied

    • Going fewer than three times per week

    • Abdominal discomfort

    • Bloating

    Many people immediately increase fibre, but that isn't always the right solution.

    In some cases, adding more fibre too quickly—or adding the wrong type of fibre—can actually worsen symptoms.

    Emilia helps determine the factors contributing to constipation and develops an individualized plan that may include:

    • Gradually adjusting fibre intake

    • Optimizing hydration

    • Meal timing

    • Physical activity strategies

    • Toilet positioning and bowel habits

    • Identifying dietary triggers

    • Coordinating with your healthcare team when additional medical assessment is appropriate

    The goal is to improve bowel regularity while reducing discomfort and supporting long-term digestive health.

  • Frequent diarrhea can interfere with work, travel, exercise, and daily life.

    It may also increase the risk of dehydration and nutrient deficiencies if it persists.

    There are many potential causes, including:

    • IBS

    • Inflammatory bowel disease

    • Celiac disease

    • Food intolerances

    • Certain medications

    • Bile acid malabsorption

    • Previous gastrointestinal surgery

    Nutrition counselling focuses on identifying patterns, ensuring adequate nutrition, and implementing evidence-based dietary strategies that support symptom improvement without unnecessary restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gut Health

  • Yes. Nutrition is one of the most effective treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A Registered Dietitian can help identify food triggers, optimize fibre intake, determine whether a low FODMAP diet is appropriate, and create a personalized nutrition plan based on your symptoms and lifestyle. Because IBS affects everyone differently, there is no single "IBS diet." The goal is to reduce symptoms while maintaining the most varied and nutritious diet possible.

  • There isn't one diet that works for everyone with IBS. The best approach depends on your symptoms, medical history, and individual food tolerances. Many people benefit from regular meals, adequate fibre, hydration, and limiting foods that trigger their symptoms. For some, a low FODMAP diet may provide relief when guided by a dietitian. Rather than following restrictive diets found online, working with a dietitian ensures your plan is evidence-based and tailored to your needs.

  • Yes. The low FODMAP diet is supported by strong scientific evidence and is considered one of the most effective dietary therapies for IBS. Studies show it can improve symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation in many individuals. However, it should only be followed temporarily before foods are systematically reintroduced to identify your personal triggers.

  • No. The low FODMAP diet is not intended to be a lifelong eating pattern. It consists of three phases: elimination, reintroduction, and personalization. Remaining in the elimination phase for too long may unnecessarily restrict your diet and reduce fibre intake. The goal is always to identify the widest variety of foods that you can comfortably tolerate.

  • IBS is considered a chronic condition, but many people achieve significant symptom improvement with individualized nutrition, lifestyle changes, stress management, and medical care when needed. The goal is to reduce symptom frequency and severity while improving your quality of life.

  • Common triggers vary from person to person but may include onions, garlic, beans, certain fruits, wheat products, milk, sugar alcohols, fatty meals, alcohol, caffeine, or large meals. Identifying your personal triggers is more effective than avoiding all of these foods unnecessarily.

  • No. Probiotics are not necessary for everyone and different probiotic strains have different effects. Recommendations should be based on your symptoms, diagnosis, and the available evidence rather than marketing claims.

  • Daily bloating can have many causes, including IBS, constipation, food intolerances, swallowing excess air, changes in gut bacteria, certain eating habits, or digestive disorders. Persistent bloating deserves proper assessment rather than guessing which foods to eliminate.

  • Foods that commonly contribute to bloating include beans, onions, garlic, certain fruits, carbonated beverages, sugar alcohols, and some high-fibre foods. However, these foods are not problematic for everyone. A personalized assessment helps determine which foods are contributing to your symptoms while preserving dietary variety.

  • Many people benefit from gradually increasing fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while also drinking enough fluids. However, increasing fibre is not appropriate for everyone, particularly if constipation is related to certain pelvic floor disorders or severe IBS. A dietitian can help determine the right approach.

  • Adequate hydration is important for healthy bowel function, especially when increasing fibre intake. While drinking more water alone may not resolve chronic constipation, it often supports other nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

  • Most adults should aim for approximately 25–38 grams of fibre daily, depending on age and sex. However, fibre recommendations may need to be adjusted for certain digestive conditions. Emilia helps clients increase fibre gradually while minimizing digestive discomfort.

  • Yes. Lactose, excess fructose, certain sugar alcohols, high FODMAP foods, and other dietary factors may contribute to diarrhea in some individuals. A structured assessment is often more helpful than eliminating multiple foods without guidance.

  • Yes. Nutrition can play an important role in managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Adjusting meal timing, portion sizes, and identifying individual food triggers may help reduce symptoms alongside medical treatment when necessary.

When Should I See a Gut Health Dietitian?

Digestive health is one of Emilia's primary areas of practice.

She provides evidence-based nutrition counselling for individuals living with IBS, low FODMAP concerns, acid reflux, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and other gastrointestinal conditions. Every recommendation is personalized to your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle—because no two digestive systems are exactly alike.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed or have been struggling with digestive symptoms for years, Emilia's goal is to help you understand your condition, improve your relationship with food, and develop a sustainable eating pattern that supports both symptom relief and long-term health.

Work With Emilia

You may benefit from working with a Registered Dietitian if you:

  • Experience frequent bloating or abdominal discomfort

  • Have constipation, diarrhea, or alternating bowel habits

  • Have been diagnosed with IBS, IBD, GERD, celiac disease, or another digestive condition

  • Feel anxious about eating because of digestive symptoms

  • Have eliminated many foods and aren't sure what is safe to eat

  • Want guidance on the low FODMAP diet

  • Have nutrient deficiencies related to digestive disease

  • Want practical, evidence-based nutrition advice instead of conflicting information online

The earlier you receive individualized guidance, the sooner you can begin building a diet that supports symptom management, nutritional adequacy, and confidence around food.

Why Choose Emilia Morelli for Gut Health Nutrition?