From years of pain to lasting relief—Stephanie Talbot shares her powerful journey of healing from reflux, IBS, and endometriosis through holistic nutrition. In this insightful conversation, she explains why treating root causes—not just symptoms—transformed her life and the lives of her clients.
Stephanie Talbot’s Personal Health Journey
Josef Kreitmayer
Hello, and welcome to another session at the Reflux Summit. We’re excited to have Stephanie Talbot with us.
Stephanie Talbot
Thank you for having me—I’m very excited to be here.
Josef Kreitmayer
Stephanie graduated with merit from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2014. She’s a registered holistic nutritionist specializing in gut health, with both personal and professional experience helping people overcome reflux, indigestion, and other digestive issues.
After struggling for a decade with IBS, reflux, and stage 4 endometriosis, she became symptom-free through holistic nutrition. Now she helps others achieve similar results more quickly through her programs and coaching.
Stephanie, can you share more about your story?
Stephanie Talbot
Looking back, my struggles began in my late teens and continued through my twenties. I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and severe IBS. I spent ten years going from doctor to doctor, desperate for solutions.
At the time, I was still young and living a lifestyle that, in hindsight, contributed to my symptoms—partying, eating poorly, and ignoring my body’s signals.
I struggled daily with figuring out what to eat to avoid bloating, reflux, and constipation. The endometriosis was debilitating. During ovulation, the pain was so severe that I often ended up in the hospital. Morphine was the only thing that helped, and it made me feel hopeless.
Doctors frequently dismissed me, suggesting anxiety medication, antidepressants, or different birth control options. I tried them, but nothing resolved the root problem.
A naturopath helped slightly, but the dietary changes were extreme—mostly rice bread and rice milk—which wasn’t sustainable.
I felt like I couldn’t live a normal life. I had to constantly monitor what I ate and developed anxiety mid-cycle because I knew the pain was coming. I even warned employers that I’d miss work monthly due to hospital visits.
Everything changed when my son was six months old. I was searching for a career change and discovered registered holistic nutrition. It aligned perfectly with my growing interest in natural living.
I enrolled in the program, and it completely transformed my life. I learned how to address root causes instead of masking symptoms. Within six months, I had no symptoms—no IBS, reflux, or endometriosis pain. That’s the power of treating the root.
Root Causes and Healing Approach
Josef Kreitmayer
That’s incredible. Can you pinpoint what really made the difference?
Stephanie Talbot
Instead of suppressing symptoms, I started identifying their root causes. Reflux is not the problem—it’s a symptom of something deeper.
My bloating and pain were signs of hormonal imbalance and gut dysfunction—low stomach acid, microbiome imbalance, and improper estrogen clearance. Once I addressed those, the symptoms disappeared.
Josef Kreitmayer
So your symptoms weren’t just digestive—they were hormonal too. Why did you choose nutrition as the solution?
Stephanie Talbot
I had tried everything else. Nutrition showed me how interconnected the body is and how powerful food can be.
I always try natural approaches first. There are no side effects, and they often work better than medication when used properly.
Common Client Symptoms and Initial Assessments
Josef Kreitmayer
What kind of clients do you typically see? How many come to you with reflux?
Stephanie Talbot
Most clients come with digestive issues—bloating, reflux, constipation, and nutrient deficiencies.
If digestion is impaired, nutrient absorption suffers, which affects hormones, hair, skin, PMS, energy, and mood. Everything is connected.
Josef Kreitmayer
What does your general approach look like?
Stephanie Talbot
I start with a free 15-minute consult. If we move forward, clients complete a detailed intake form and symptom checklist.
From there, we follow a structured protocol—starting with the mouth, then the stomach, intestines, and elimination.
I also consider lifestyle factors like parenting, shift work, and stress levels. These matter.
I never flip someone’s life upside down. Small, manageable changes create the biggest impact.
For example, if someone isn’t chewing properly, that’s step one. The stomach doesn’t have teeth. Fixing that alone can dramatically reduce symptoms.
Root Causes and Misconceptions Around Reflux
Josef Kreitmayer
What root causes do you see most often?
Stephanie Talbot
For reflux, it’s usually low stomach acid—not high, as most people believe.
PPIs are commonly prescribed, but they mask symptoms instead of fixing the problem.
For bloating, root causes may include leaky gut, SIBO, or H. pylori. If initial protocols don’t resolve symptoms, I refer clients to doctors for testing.
I don’t recommend food sensitivity tests. If someone reacts to many foods, it usually means leaky gut, and the healing protocol is the same regardless.
After gut healing, most clients can reintroduce foods without issues.
Traditional vs. Modern Eating Habits
Josef Kreitmayer
You’ve mentioned returning to how our grandparents ate. What does that mean in practice?
Stephanie Talbot
It means cooking from scratch, simplifying meals, and avoiding processed foods.
I don’t expect clients to spend hours in the kitchen. I focus on practical tools—like my sourdough method—that are simple and gut-friendly.
Modern convenience foods contain additives like glyphosate, which contribute to leaky gut.
In places like Italy, where these chemicals are banned, people eat bread without issues. Food quality and geography matter.
Foods to Eliminate and Add
Josef Kreitmayer
What are three things to remove and three things to add to your kitchen?
Stephanie Talbot
Remove artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, concentrated juices, and processed microwave meals. These damage the gut microbiome.
Add whole-food sugars like coconut sugar, healing ingredients like gelatin, and homemade alternatives such as marshmallows or gummies.
I also recommend removing gluten during gut healing. Sourdough is a great alternative due to fermentation.
Most clients can reintroduce gluten and dairy later unless they have celiac disease or true allergies.
Elimination Diets and Trigger Foods
Josef Kreitmayer
Do you use elimination diets?
Stephanie Talbot
In a gentle way. I don’t use extreme approaches like low-FODMAP.
I have clients keep a five-day food diary to identify triggers. We remove those foods for four weeks, then reintroduce gradually.
I also provide coffee alternatives, since giving it up is often challenging.
Supplements and Tailored Support
Josef Kreitmayer
What else do you incorporate into healing protocols?
Stephanie Talbot
Supplements such as digestive enzymes, probiotics, and magnesium—tailored to individual needs.
I recommend rotating probiotic strains and adding probiotic-rich foods. Eating the rainbow helps diversify the microbiome.
Some clients require protocols for Candida or parasites. If bloating persists after gut healing, we use a broad-spectrum parasite and Candida protocol.
Clients on PPIs and Reflux Misconceptions
Josef Kreitmayer
Do you work with clients who are on proton pump inhibitors?
Stephanie Talbot
Yes, many. I never tell anyone to stop medication. I always advise working with their doctor.
Most of these clients have low stomach acid, not high. PPIs reduce acid further and weaken the sphincter that keeps acid from rising.
We assess stomach acid using digestive enzymes with hydrochloric acid. If tolerated, relief often comes within days.
Supplements alone aren’t enough—diet and lifestyle changes are essential for lasting results.
Lifestyle Mistakes and Stress
Josef Kreitmayer
What major lifestyle issues do you commonly see?
Stephanie Talbot
Skipping breakfast or rushing out the door with just coffee is a big one.
I emphasize relaxed eating and limiting screen time, especially at night. Scrolling disrupts circadian rhythm and melatonin.
Even setting a timer for social media use can significantly reduce stress.
Constipation, Fiber, and Hydration
Josef Kreitmayer
Why is constipation so common?
Stephanie Talbot
Processed foods lack fiber. Whole foods naturally provide it—smoothies with avocado, spinach, or cauliflower are great examples.
Without fiber, waste builds up, toxins are reabsorbed, and gut health declines.
Even children are now experiencing severe constipation. It’s alarming.
Josef Kreitmayer
Is hydration part of the issue?
Stephanie Talbot
Absolutely. Many people avoid water. I recommend gradual increases and adding sea salt or electrolytes for proper hydration.
Dehydration worsens constipation, so we focus on habit-building.
Proper Eating Habits and Natural Support
Josef Kreitmayer
What about drinking water during meals?
Stephanie Talbot
Avoid large amounts right before or during meals, especially with low stomach acid—it dilutes digestive enzymes.
I teach clients to chew each bite 20 to 30 times until it’s paste-like. This dramatically improves digestion.
Josef Kreitmayer
Any natural ways to boost stomach acid?
Stephanie Talbot
Bitters or apple cider vinegar before meals can help—unless someone has LPR or throat reflux.
Everything depends on the individual.
Final Advice for Reflux Sufferers
Josef Kreitmayer
Any final advice for someone just starting their reflux journey?
Stephanie Talbot
It can feel overwhelming with so much conflicting information.
My advice is to find someone who can guide you step by step from point A.
Having support from someone who’s been through it can make all the difference.
