GI Nutrition Therapy

Achieving and maintaining good nutrition is a key component of managing the troubling symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. A proper diet also helps support the body’s energy levels and immune system, and can help prevent micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition.

GI Nutrition Therapy, part of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, plays an integral role in Michigan Medicine’s comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to GI care. Together with GI physicians, nurses, clinical psychologists, pelvic floor physical therapists and other specialists, we partner with patients to promote well-being and optimize quality of life.

Our registered dietitian nutritionists provide individualized nutrition care and counseling for patients with a range of GI conditions, including:

• Chronic Constipation 
• Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Gastroparesis
• Histamine Intolerance/Mast Cell Disorders
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
• Pancreatitis 
• Short Bowel Syndrome
• Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
• Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency

Specialized Nutrition Services

To help patients modify their dietary habits to achieve better nutrition and reduce GI symptoms, we rely on evidenced-based medical nutrition therapy and individualized counseling.

We specialize in specific diets that can significantly improve gastrointestinal symptoms, including:

• The low FODMAP diet for IBS
• Specific elimination diets for eosinophilic esophagitis
• Low oxalate, low residue, and gluten-free diets

What to Expect During Your Visit

• During the initial consultation (approximately one hour), the patient meets with a registered dietitian nutritionist for a comprehensive health assessment including a review of GI diagnosis and symptoms, diet history, current intake of nutrients, lifestyle and behavioral factors.
• Patients are educated on strategies for optimizing their diets to achieve their specific goals. For example, for the most common GI disorder we address, IBS, patients learn how the low-FODMAP diet can provide symptom relief.
• Patients receive nutritional recommendations individualized to meet their nutrition and health goals, including symptom management and weight management. Nutritional plans are added to each patient’s medical chart for coordination with the rest of the GI care team.
• One or more shorter follow-up appointments (approximately 30 minutes) with GI Nutrition Services are usually scheduled to monitor progress, answer questions and address concerns.

Meet Our Team

Registered dietitians

Emily Haller, MS, RDN - Emily received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University, completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of Michigan, and earned her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics through Central Michigan University. Prior to joining the outpatient GI team in 2015, she provided inpatient nutrition support to Michigan Medicine pulmonary, general medicine, and GI surgery patients.

Amanda Lynett, MS, RDN - Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics from Michigan State University, completed her Dietetic Internship at Delta State University and earned her Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics through Central Michigan University. Prior to joining the GI team in 2019, she worked in inpatient clinics at Michigan Medicine providing medical nutrition therapy to medicine gastroenterology, general surgery, liver transplant and urology patients. She also previously worked at DMC Harper Hospital and Mercy Memorial Hospital.

Julie Bouwman, RDN - Julie received her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wyoming and completed her internship in Salem, Oregon through the Mid-Willamette Valley Dietetic Internship program. Prior to joining the GI team in 2023, she worked at Kaiser Permanente as an outpatient Registered Dietitian, and most recently as the Manager of the Health and Wellness Department. She also previously worked for the University of Colorado Hospital to support the Transplant Program and Medical-Surgical patients.

Dietitians with specialized expertise in GI nutrition

• Kelli Gibbs, RDN, CSO (Brighton Center for Specialty Care)
  
• Kate Pelletier, MPH, RDN, CSP, CNSC (West Ann Arbor-Parkland Plaza)
• Amy Schneider, MS, RD, CDE (Northville Health Center).

Hepatology and liver transplant clinic dietitian

Lorraine Bonkowski, RDN - Lorraine earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and completed her Dietetic Internship at Henry Ford Hospital. She has been with the University of Michigan outpatient Hepatology Clinic and Liver Transplant Clinic since 2018. In these clinics she focuses on patients with liver diseases such as cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease including patients going through the liver transplant process.

Her prior experience as a dietitian includes pediatric oncology and hematology.