How We Help
Learn more about some of the conditions we can help with below.
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn). This is often due to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, relaxing inappropriately, allowing stomach contents to back up. While occasional acid reflux is common, frequent or severe reflux may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a more chronic condition.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Celiac Disease is an immune disease where the body has an unnecessary reaction to gluten. This reaction can be a combination of severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, irritability, and depression. Some may have to eliminate only the more concentrated sources of gluten (bread, pasta, etc), others may have to be much more diligent and also look for more hidden sources of gluten in items such as hair and skin products, toothpaste, and lip balm.
Chronic constipation, characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements lasting for several months, can be functional (no underlying cause) or secondary (due to other conditions or medications). Management often involves lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and, in some cases, medication.
Chronic diarrhea is defined as loose or watery stools occurring three or more times per day for at least four weeks. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, food intolerances, digestive disorders, and medication side effects. Management focuses on addressing the underlying cause, reducing symptoms, and preventing complications like dehydration and malnutrition.
This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth (start) to anus (finish). The symptoms a person can experience are variable and personal, but may include diarrhea, cramping, nausea, poor appetite, and unintentional weight loss (losing weight when you don’t want to). While Crohn’s disease is not caused by the food you eat, making changes to your diet, in addition to medication and perhaps surgery, may help to control the symptoms and help to improve your quality of life.
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, affecting how your body uses insulin. Proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in managing diabetes, influencing blood sugar control, weight management, and overall well-being.
When tissue is inflamed, due to injury or food allergies, the body sends white blood cells (eosinophils) to take care of the problem. Sometimes, the body does its job too well and sends more white blood cells than necessary. This can lead to more inflammation and swelling. If this occurs in the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), you may experience any combination of the following: food can be hard to swallow, food might feel like it is always getting stuck, pain in the stomach or chest, nausea and vomiting, or reflux. This is called Eosinophilic Esophagitis or EoE.
There are many ways to treat or manage EoE, one of the most common ways is through changes to the foods you eat.
The liver is the largest organ in your body and is responsible for helping with digestion, filtration, and energy storage. While we often associate fatty liver and liver disease with alcohol use, that is not always the case. One of the best treatments for fatty liver is weight loss and exercise.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD can happen at any time, from infancy to adulthood. GERD is most commonly identified by heartburn (burning pain in the chest, behind the breastbone). This happens when the valve in the lower part of the throat (esophageal sphincter) does not work properly and allows stomach acid and food to come back up into the throat. Weight gain, fatty foods, carbonation ,caffeine, and alcohol are a few of the things that can make heartburn or GERD worse. Treatment of GERD has several options including changes to eating habits. Read more about GERD.
To get food through the stomach and into the small intestines, the stomach muscles have to move, which is called peristalsis (for those of you preparing for a spot on Jeopardy). When someone has “Gastroparesis” it means that the muscles are not as strong as they need to be and food sits in the stomach longer than it should. When this happens you might feel nauseated, the need to vomit (dry heaves), stomach pain or bloating, heartburn, constipation, or loss of appetite. While no one knows exactly what causes Gastroparesis, there are many treatment options that you can discuss with your doctor or registered dietitian. One of these treatments may include experimenting with different foods or changing the way you eat.
Irritable bowel can be very frustrating to deal with as there is no specific test, no exact cause, and can be a combination of several, ever changing symptoms. Symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping are among the most common. Treatment can involve medication, stress management, and diet changes.
FODMAPs—fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols—are types of carbohydrates that can be hard to digest, especially for people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These carbs aren't fully broken down in the stomach and instead ferment in the gut, causing gas, bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. A low FODMAP diet, typically guided by a dietitian, involves cutting out high FODMAP foods for a few weeks, then reintroducing them gradually to pinpoint triggers. Many people with IBS find significant relief and improved quality of life through this approach. Dietitians of Alaska can help personalize your plan!
This is another type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects only the colon, or very end of the large intestine. The symptoms can be as different as the individuals themselves, but often involve abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and bloody stool. While Ulcerative Colitis is not caused by the food you eat, making changes to your diet, in addition to medication and perhaps surgery, may help to control the symptoms and help to improve your quality of life.
Our friendly team of dietitians creates personalized nutrition plans to help you reach your ideal weight—whether you're looking to gain or lose. For those underweight, we focus on nourishing, calorie-rich meals, and for those aiming to slim down, we emphasize portion control, nutrient-packed foods, and mindful eating habits. We also provide simple, helpful education about balanced nutrition so you can make smart, confident choices every day. Plus, we understand that how you eat matters just as much as what you eat, so we work with you on building healthy routines and overcoming challenges. Best of all, we’re with you every step of the way, offering ongoing support, encouragement, and progress check-ins to help you feel great and stay motivated!