Any sort of gastro intestinal issue, even if non-fatal, can really impact our quality of life and our enjoyment of our food. Gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of these conditions which is on the rise. In this episode of Alimentary! I had a really interesting discussion about GERD with Lauren O'Connor. We talked about the difference between occasional heartburn or reflux and GERD, and some of the surprising symptoms which might indicate an issue. We also chatted about lactose intolerance which can be a driver if not managed, the impact of stress, timing of meals and how a personalized approach works best. It was great to hear a perspective from someone who is not only a professional in this field, but also has dealt with this condition herself.My guest Lauren O'Connor MS,RDN, RYT is a private-practice dietitian, five-time cookbook author, and freelance writer with a passion for gut health, fitness, and culinary nutrition. She is a regular contributor to health and wellness publications with numerous articles in Health and Livestrong. On her website, NutriSavvyHealth.com, she shares evidence-based nutrition advice and a wide variety of gut-healthy recipes for everyday living. In addition to all of this, Lauren is a yoga teacher and enjoys hiking in her local hills. She is also a member of the community singing group Band of Singers. ResourcesLauren's Instagram @laurenoconnor.rd Lauren's Linkedin @lauren-oconnor-ms-rdn-rytLauren's Facebook NutriSavvyHealth Follow @theHealingGERDrd on TwitterLauren's website http://nutrisavvyhealth.comhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34326345/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28257716/The Encylopaedia of Healing Foods by Dr Michael Murray, Dr Joseph Pizzorno with Lara Pizzorno MA, LMTMusic composed by cascreativearts, copyright Lyn Sharkey Nutrition. Lyn's website www.lynsharkeynutrition.ie