
Why Elimination Diets Stop Working for IBS — and the Missing Piece No One Talks About
TLDR: Elimination diets can bring short-term relief for IBS, but they often stop working because they only remove irritants, they don’t fix the root causes
When you work with Erika Jacobson Nutrition & Wellness, the functional nutrition & gut health experts, you’ll receive personalized and root cause care to help you overcome those frustrating gut issues at the root, even if you feel like you’ve tried everything.
Indigestion, bloating, gas, stomach pain, reflux, constipation, loose stools or any combination of these have felt like “just a part of life” for you.
You’re dealing with fatigue, joint pain, skin issues or brain fog and you’re not quite sure why.
You’ve been told by medical professionals that “everything is normal” – but you still don’t feel like yourself.
You’re confused and anxious about what to eat. Making food choices has become more work than joy.
You’re frustrated—constantly worrying about your digestive symptoms and feeling like your body is working against you.
Things that were once easy and enjoyable—traveling, gathering at a friend’s house, eating out at restaurants—are now nothing short of anxiety-inducing. You feel like you’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to get rid of your gut issues.
You just wish you could have more energy and less food anxiety, so you can enjoy those parts of life once again. Because one thing’s for sure, you can’t accept that this is your new normal.
And the good news is: you don’t have to!
Hi, there! I’m Erika, an integrative and functional dietitian who helps people who are tired of being told “everything is normal”—when you definitely don’t feel normal.
If long-term restrictive diets and googled supplements haven’t improved your gut health, there’s a good reason for that. I’m here to help you find the root cause behind why you feel the way you do, so you finally eliminate the uncomfortable digestive symptoms that keep you from enjoying life.
Together, we’ll get to the root of your gut imbalances and craft your personalized plan, so you can nourish and heal your gut—for good.

By using the right testing to identify the root cause, we remove the guesswork and create a faster path to healing. It's the most effective way to eliminate gut symptoms for good.

No long-term restrictive diets here. Our food-first approach to nourishment includes meal ideas, recipes, and product recommendations for increased food confidence and freedom.

No more googling. No more guessing. You'll receive a personalized supplement protocol based on imbalances identified through your testing so you can feel your best.

Your thoughts impact your body - perhaps more than we often realize. We'll address and reframe limiting beliefs so you can optimize your healing potential from the top down.

Lifestyle changes that fit your life. Your personalized recommendations will help you manage stress, achieve optimal sleep, and add joyful movement.

You're not on this journey alone! I will never give you a recommended diet and turn you loose. I’ll be here every step of the way guiding, supporting, and cheering you on.

By using testing to identify the root cause of your digestive issues first, we remove the guesswork and create a faster path to healing.

No long-term restrictive diets here. Our food-first approach to nourishment includes menu ideas, recipes, and product recommendations for increased food confidence and freedom.

No more googling. No more guessing. You'll receive a personalized supplement protocol based on imbalances identified through your testing so you can feel your best.

Your thoughts impact your body - perhaps more than we often realize. We'll address and reframe limiting beliefs so you can optimize your healing potential from the top down.

Lifestyle changes that fit your life. Your personalized recommendations will help you manage stress, achieve optimal sleep, and add joyful movement.

You're not on this journey alone! I will never give you a recommended diet and turn you loose. I’ll be here every step of the way guiding, supporting, and cheering you on.
No more band-aid treatments or long-term restrictive diets that don’t address the root cause. We will use a personalized functional nutrition approach that includes targeted supplements and sustainable lifestyle strategies. Small changes for big transformational results.
You have to pull a weed out by the root to keep it from growing back. Your digestive issues have a root, too. Let’s find it, so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to healing.
Through specialized testing, personalized nutrition and supplements, and sustainable lifestyle strategies, we’ll work one-on-one to heal your gut and help you find joy in eating again.
My experience with both Erika, and Emily has been exceptional. They were patient w me during my crazy scheduling. This program made me very mindful and aware of what I’m putting in my body. I’ve dealt with crazy bloating, low stomach acid. I’ve dealt w this my entire life even... read more being plant based. With the proper testing I was fully aware of what needed improvement. With these ladies by my side I’m fully on a better nutrition path w food and better understanding w my digestive system. I have them to thank for this. I’ll be continuing my work w them.
I worked with Erika for about a year and it has transformed my gut health and overall wellbeing. She was able to address years of gut issues and what I believed were food intolerances. She is extremely professional and knowledgeable and will you make you feel heard and understood. I... read more particularly appreciated how she was willing to help me manage new issues that came up during our time together and tweak her treatment to address those as well. I like that she focuses on natural supplements and healthy eating habits. Her online platform is very helpful and easy to navigate. I would highly recommend working with her. If you've had bad experiences with other doctors or nutritionists, give Erika a try and you won't be disappointed.
I first contacted Erika in September 2025. I discovered Erika through my insurance (Aetna) when I found myself in a lot of pain from bloating and I had very irregular bowels. After an initial exploratory call with Erika, I knew I wanted to work with her and her team. Erika listened... read more to my concerns and questioned my symptoms with care and empathy. After that initial intake, I decided to take the leap and commit to working with Erika - I was a bit hesitant at first because it is a financial commitment, but it is 10000% worth it. Erika connect me with Emily Baker who would be my nutritionist over the coming 6 months and this is where my life changed. Based on my test results, Emily was able to create a sustainable nutrition and supplement plan for me that REALLY works. I went from 1-2 bowel movements a week to DAILY movements. Emily also helped me figure out a nutrition plan based on my workout goals (as a runner and a weight lifter) and she was always available for any questions I had around meal planning ideas, supplements, overall general wellness. I am so grateful for all of Emily's help. 10/10 recommend.
I wish I had of found this team 20+ years ago! Multiple doctors told me I had food allergies or too much stress. I was prescribed one medication after another nothing helped. About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with acid reflux and prescribed PPI’s which mad the symptoms worse... read more so I switched to famotidine. In 2025 I had to have some pre-cancerous spots removed from my esophagus. It was at that time that I decided I needed to find a different approach to my problems besides medicine. I researched several nutritionists to find a more common sense approach using nutrition and all natural products. I have been more than pleased with the guidance and support that Emily and her team has given me over the past 6 months. Her knowledge of “food is medicine” helped me tremendously to put the right foods in rotation so that my body receives what it needs along with the supplements that have been depleted from my body. I’m so thankful that today I feel 100% better.
Working with Emily Baker @Erika Jacobson Nutrition & Wellness was & is a great experience. I was at a point where my digestion and gastrointestinal issues were in control of my life. I was trying to “self treat” with supplements and food without understanding the complex issues my body was... read more dealing with. Countless doctors & Gostroenterologists visits along with a myriad of tests - colonoscopy, endoscopy, urine, stool, & blood showed nothing of a causal nature and that I was a very healthy 70 year old male. Once on board with Erika Jacobson Nutrition & Wellness, I received understanding of my issues and hope for a resolution. Tests were run to identify an appropriate markers that could point to a root cause. This was the GI Map and with this a personalized protocol was put into place to address the symptoms as well as the causal agents - through targeted supplements, proper food, and healthy life style changes. I was and am an athletic person, physically healthy, but drained from the underlying digestive issues. With the guidance and professional advice from Emily Baker - I have been able to slowly get back to functioning normally and participate in life. The path to a healthy gastrointestinal system is not an overnight fix - but a committed journey - well worth the effort.
Erika made a huge impact on my health. She was so detailed in her approach and walked me thought each step in healing my gut over many months together. She also taught me which foods and recipes would help me continuing to feel good. I 100% would recommend working with... read more her, she changed my life and I'm so much healthier now.
Before I met Erika, I had been to so many doctors trying to figure out why I had gained 50 lbs in less than a year—despite living a healthy lifestyle. Every time I voiced my concerns, I was dismissed. I’d often hear things like, “Women with your weight issues…” or... read more “We’re sorry, but we don’t know what it is.” I constantly felt nauseous, especially at night, and had stomach pain after almost every meal—it was worst in the evenings. The bloating got so bad that I eventually went on medication just to cope. I felt sick all the time. I cried myself to sleep more nights than I can count, I was so done trying to figure the issue out. Then someone gave me Erika’s contact info—and everything changed. From the very beginning, Erika was genuine, holistic in her approach, and incredibly effective in her advice. She taught me things no doctor ever pointed out: I wasn’t eating enough. I was stuck in a repetitive food routine with little variety. My body needed nourishment and balance, not restriction. She never pressured me to stop taking medication, but through working with her, I was able to gradually come off it—and now I feel amazing. My weight is steadily coming down in a healthy, sustainable way. My stomach pain and nausea are gone, and my digestion is finally regular. There’s a noticeable glow to my skin and face, and my energy and mood are better than ever. I enjoy working out again because I feel strong, not drained. One thing I truly appreciate is that Erika doesn’t push a bunch of supplements—I never feel bombarded or overwhelmed by products. And she also doesn’t restrict entire food groups. Her approach is about nourishment, variety, and long-term wellness, not deprivation. Working with Erika has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my health. She’s knowledgeable, compassionate, organized, flexible with scheduling, and super responsive through her app. I finally feel seen, supported, and on the right path. No words can express how grateful I am!
Working with Erika Jacobson has honestly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my health. I came to them feeling frustrated, bloated, and stuck in a lifelong cycle of trial-and-error with food. From the very beginning, Erika made me feel heard and supported, and created a gut... read more health plan that felt completely tailored to me—not something generic off the shelf. The changes we made were gradual, manageable, and most importantly, sustainable. Erika taught me critical fundamentals of good digestion that I wished I had known about in my early adulthood. The program delivered immediate shifts not only in my digestion, but also in my energy, sleep, and overall wellness. For the first time, I feel like I truly understand my body and what it needs. Erika is a delight to work with. She is experienced, compassionate and encourages you all the way through. I am so grateful for the transformation Erika has helped me create. If you feel like you've tried everything and are ready for a real, lasting change, Erika can be the perfect partner in that journey.
Working with Erika has been amazing!! She has helped me so much with my gut and bloating issues over the past few months. She is great at giving practical, easy to follow solutions that are personalized and fit within my lifestyle. I feel great, and my skin has never looked... read more better!
Let’s get rid of that “food baby” so you can live a bloat free life…without going on a crazy restrictive diet!
Inside you’ll get:

TLDR: Elimination diets can bring short-term relief for IBS, but they often stop working because they only remove irritants, they don’t fix the root causes

TLDR: Still bloated, refluxy, or constipated despite eating clean and trying all the usual gut protocols? The missing piece might not be your food —

TLDR: If you’re still bloated, refluxy, or constipated — even after trying probiotics, diets, or fiber powders — it’s not your fault. Most gut protocols