Are you struggling with frequent bloating, pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation? If you’ve been diagnosed
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these symptoms may feel like part of your daily life. But, they don’t
need to be! We were able to chat with Alyssa Lavy, MS, RD, CDN – a digestive health dietitian in the area
with a special interest in IBS and SIBO – about her new virtual IBS management course, Trust Your Gut.
Take a read to learn how you can finally manage your IBS symptoms!
What inspired you to develop this course? How did you come up with the idea?
I started my own practice in 2018 after working with a large GI practice and the business grew very
quickly. As it turns out, there are a lot of people looking for support with IBS management! After only a
short while, I had a long waitlist and I hated feeling like I was at maximum capacity with my schedule
while people were stuck waiting to start making changes that could help them to feel better.
It took some time, but finally I was able to release a live version of the course last year. I began by
offering small cohorts of group coaching and I ran this course three times over the course of the year.
While I loved the live coaching aspect, it was difficult for people to commit to meeting at the same time
each week for the entirety of the course, especially since it was nearly impossible to set a time that
worked well for each person. It was also hard for people to catch up if they missed a session or two. So, I
took what I learned from the live course and I created a self-paced product that would eliminate the
existing barriers and serve as a permanent fixture in my practice (rather than a specific launch date).
Can you describe Trust Your Gut? What can people expect?
Trust Your Gut is a virtual course that is designed to help you to manage your IBS symptoms. The course
includes video lessons, as well many resources and tools, which are designated into weekly modules
spaced over a six month period. It is completely self-paced, so you can work at your pace and comfort
level, with material dripped out weekly to keep you on track. I designed Trust Your Gut using the 5 pillar
approach that we use successfully in my practice to manage IBS from all diet and lifestyle angles (not just
the low FODMAP diet).
The course is separated into two phases focusing on the five pillars of IBS
management:
1. Meal spacing, meal hygiene and the components of a balanced plate (so, essentially how you
eat!)
2. Stress management (because a stressed out person most likely has a stressed out gut – and IBS
is categorized as a disorder of the gut brain interaction, or DGBI)
3. Sleep hygiene (this isn’t how clean you are before you go to sleep – this is about creating a
calming sleep environment and establishing routine to help support your circadian rhythm)
4. Movement (not all movement is created equal when it comes to IBS management)
5. Diet (a topic so nuanced it needed its own phase of the course!)
Pillars 1-4 are covered in phase 1, whereas diet (pillar 5) is covered in depth in phase 2. Essentially, I
want to set you up for success with lifestyle strategies before we even begin making dietary changes.
Then, I will lead you through the entire low FODMAP diet (an evidence-based diet used in the
management of IBS) from the elimination phase to the reintroduction phase and the maintenance phase,
while addressing non-FODMAP dietary triggers, as well. This way, you are completely supported as you
make these changes – with the goal of ultimately finding your personal dietary triggers and enjoying the
least restrictive diet you can tolerate and enjoy. We will also discuss the evidence for or against certain
supplements used in IBS management.
Course members can expect the same information and resources as practice clients, with the added
benefit of community. This is because all course members have the option to join a private community
moderated by Alyssa, where fellow IBS-ers can share recipes, tips that work for them and provide
support. Alyssa will also be hosting live weekly office hours for individual troubleshooting and
question/answer sessions.
Is there anything you’d like people to know about the course?
This course was specifically designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with IBS and who are
appropriate candidates for the low FODMAP diet. While we will address many aspects of IBS
management, we will be delving into the low FODMAP diet in its entirety. If you are unsure whether or not
this course would be appropriate for you, please reach out and schedule a discovery call so that I can
learn more about you and help you to determine whether my group Trust Your Gut course or individual
nutrition counseling would be the best fit for you.
Can you share details about registration?
You can register on my website here – just click “services” and then click “Trust Your Gut” to learn more
and sign up. Using the discount code EARLYBIRD500 saves $500 during presale (valid through October
22nd)
Where can people reach out if they have additional questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out on my website here. You can send an inquiry
through our contact form or call our practice at the number listed to schedule a complimentary discovery
call. I look forward to working with you and helping you to finally take charge of your IBS!