Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Arensberg.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was deciding on a career, I knew I wanted to do work that helped people and could make a positive change. In college I wasn’t sure what to study, but I ended up in an introduction to nutrition course and that’s where I first heard the phrase “food as medicine.” I remember sitting in this class watching a TED Talk by Dr. Terry Wahls. Hearing how she used a nutrient-rich, personalized protocol to greatly improve her Multiple Sclerosis.. That talk was the moment it clicked for me: nutrition and lifestyle are essential to wellbeing and can have such a positive impacts on peoples lives.
From there I followed the dietitian path: dietetic internship, graduate school, and training in both clinical medical nutrition therapy and integrative and functional nutrition tailored for dietitians in private practice. Private practice felt like the place where I belonged. It gave me the freedom to dig into the “why” behind symptoms and allowed for optimal time with clients. This eventually led me to start my own practice E. Arensberg Nutrition.
As I grew my private practice, my curiosity soon focused on the gut microbiome. I saw a large gap in care where so many people were being dismissed for their digestive symptoms and given no solutions. Working 1:1 with clients, I saw how prioritizing gut health could create a cascade of improvements — not just reduced digestive symptoms, but better energy, sleep, skin, immunity, and mood. As I advanced my specialization in gut health, I also felt drawn to providing nutrition education on a larger scale, which led me providing corporate wellness presentations and talks to raise awareness about the power of nutrition. Then, about two years ago, while working in my private practice, I received a call from the Midwest Recovery Center offering me the opportunity to run a weekly nutrition group for their new Mental Health Program. That opportunity brought me so much excitement — because nutrition can be such a powerful, teachable tool to support mental health alongside other therapies.
In addition to helping people feel there best and symptoms free, I’ve always cared deeply about mental health — losing friends to suicide and watching loved ones struggle makes it that much more meaningful. Today I get to work 1:1 with clients in my private practice, where I help clients use food as medicine, and running group programs at the Midwest Recovery Center’s mental health site. It’s a perfect combination of getting to support people on both a smaller and larger scale. My passion for nutrition and mental wellness keeps growing and I can’t wait to see the positive impact it can have on others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I feel very fortunate that my path has been relatively smooth compared to what I expected. Of course, I’ll never forget organic chemistry — that class will forever remind me why chemistry still makes me a little nervous! But it also taught me persistence and gave me a deeper appreciation for the science behind nutrition.
Running a private practice has come with its own set of challenges. Finding my voice, learning how to communicate effectively, and helping others truly see the power of nutrition has been an ongoing growth process. It’s one thing to understand the science, and another to translate it into simple, realistic steps that actually change someone’s health.
There are also those challenging client cases — the ones where progress feels slow or the root cause takes time to uncover. I never want to give up on helping someone feel their best, and those moments remind me how important collaboration is. Reaching out to colleagues, sharing insights, and leaning on each other’s expertise helps me continue providing the best support possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a Registered Dietitian specializing in gut health. I’m best known for helping people finally resolve those lingering, “pesky” digestive symptoms through a root-cause approach. When I say root cause, I mean truly asking why — why are these symptoms happening in the first place, and what’s driving them beneath the surface?
In my practice, I use comprehensive lab testing to uncover those answers. This includes the GI-MAP stool test, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), and comprehensive nutrient blood panels. Gathering this data is one of my favorite parts of my work — it allows me to look at the body as a whole, from the biological to the cellular level, and personalize nutrition strategies based on each individual’s unique needs.
What really sets my practice apart is the amount of time and attention I dedicate to each client. Healing takes patience, and I believe clients deserve space to feel heard and supported. We work closely over multiple sessions, getting to know their daily routines, nutrition intake, stressors, preferences, and habits. This allows us to make small, realistic, and sustainable changes that lead to long-term transformation, not another quick fix.
Outside of my 1:1 client work, I offer corporate wellness presentations and I also lead the Nutrition for Mental Wellness Group at the Midwest Recovery Center. This is where I teach weekly sessions on topics like the gut-brain connection, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and brain-supportive foods. This opportunity beautifully complements my private practice — I get to educate in both individual and group settings, showing just how powerful nutrition can be for both gut and mental health.
What I want readers to know is that I’m an empathetic, patient-first provider who listens. My goal is to create sustainable solutions that not only heal the gut but also improve energy, mood, and overall quality of life. My goal is to help people feel their best!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see continued growth driven by technology and accessibility. With the expansion of telehealth, people now have more convenient access to dietitians than ever before. I also see an increase in collaboration — stronger referral systems between dietitians, physicians, therapists, and other wellness professionals. This kind of teamwork helps us provide more comprehensive care and truly address the whole person, not just a single symptom or diagnosis.
And with the rise of social media and digital education, I think working with a dietitian will become much more mainstream — something people view as part of their regular self-care, just like seeing their doctor for an annual check-up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://earensbergnutrition.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratefulgut_nutrition/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gratefulgut
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-arensberg-3bb767a3/
- Other: https://substack.com/@elizabetharensberg
