For many people with vestibular disorders, what they eat and drink can trigger dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and other symptoms. The good news is that certain dietary modifications can help you manage your symptoms. Figuring out what to eliminate from your diet can be tricky, though. Not only are triggers different for each person, but you also have to be aware of maintaining a balanced diet, and you want it to taste good too. In this episode hosts Cynthia Ryan and Kimberly Warner are joined by guests Dr. Jessica Lieffers, RD and Alicia Wolf of the Dizzy Cook to discuss diet and nutrition for people with vestibular disorders. 

This podcast is a co-production of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) and Unfixed Media. https://unfixedmedia.com/

About the Guests:

Alicia Wolf is a cookbook author, recipe developer, and Vestibular Migraine advocate. She was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016. Originally a self-taught chef, she honed her skills by attending culinary immersion programs in Dallas, TX and France. Alicia’s recipes have been featured by Yahoo!, PARADE, mindbodygreen, and on local morning shows like Today and Good Morning Texas. She is a Vestibular Disorders Association Ambassador and her advocacy work for vestibular migraine has been highlighted by Healthline, American Migraine Foundation, Miles for Migraine, and Self Magazine. Her first cookbook, The Dizzy Cook, was published February 2020 and has been considered an Amazon Bestseller in the Pain Management category. Her new cookbook, The Mediterranean Migraine Diet: A Science Based Roadmap to Control Symptoms and Transform Brain Health, was created in partnership with her neurologist, Dr. Shin Beh. Both books are available almost everywhere books are sold. https://thedizzycook.com/

Dr. Jessica Lieffers is a Registered Dietitian and an Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Saskatchewan. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed research articles in various areas of nutrition and dietetics. She also teaches in the BSc Nutrition program at the University of Saskatchewan and supervises Masters and PhD students in nutrition. Jessica has been also living with a vestibular disorder since 2018 and brings both professional and patient experience to this podcast. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR DIET AND NUTRITION

Clinical Practice Guidelines Meniere’s Disease https://www.entnet.org/quality-practice/quality-products/clinical-practice-guidelines/menieres-disease/
 
Lifestyle Interventions and Meniere’s Disease (Cochrane Review – Plain Language Summary) https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015244.pub2/full#CD015244-abs-0002

More information about dietitians:

USA
https://www.eatright.org/about-rdns-and-ndtrs
https://www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert

Canada
https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/About-Dietitians/What-is-a-Dietitian.aspx
https://members.dietitians.ca/DCMember/s/find-dietitian?language=en_US

VeDA relies on your support to help vestibular patients on their journey to find a life rebalanced. You can make a real difference by making a donation at https://vestibular.org/donate/

If you are experiencing vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, brain fog, or other balance-related symptoms, VeDA may be able to help. To learn more about vestibular conditions and get help finding a diagnosis, treatment, coping tools, and support visit https://vestibular.org/

For help finding a vestibular healthcare provider visit https://vestibular.org/healthcare-directory/

If you are a vestibular healthcare professional and want to reach more patients, join VeDA's Healthcare Provider Directory by becoming a member at https://vestibular.org/article/resources-for-professionals/professional-membership/.