UNDERSTAND YOUR GUT · FIND YOUR NEXT STEP

SIBO Testing, Diet and Recovery in Australia

This guide is for Australians experiencing persistent bloating, excess gas, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea or food-related digestive symptoms who want to understand whether SIBO may be part of the picture.

Book a free 15-minute health assessment

Online consultations available across Australia.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE

Clarity at each stage.

Understand testing

What breath tests measure and how results fit your symptoms.

Navigate food choices

Personalised, temporary adjustments during medical management.

Rebuild food variety

Gradual reintroduction and ongoing nutritional adequacy.

ATMS Accredited Member · Sydney-Certified Nutritionist · Online Australia-wide · English & Polish

YOUR PRACTITIONER

Support that

considers the whole picture.

I’m Ola Krawczyk, an ATMS Accredited Clinical Nutritionist and SIBO-Certified Nutritionist who completed advanced training through Dr Nirala Jacobi’s SIBO Mastery Program.

Nutrition support works alongside assessment and treatment from your GP or gastroenterologist—it does not replace medical diagnosis or care.

SIBO at a glance

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, describes excessive numbers or an altered population of bacteria in the small intestine that contribute to symptoms.

In Australia, it is commonly investigated using a glucose or lactulose breath test measuring hydrogen and methane.

Nutrition support may involve three broad stages: assessing your current diet and symptoms, making temporary symptom-guided adjustments during medical management, and gradually rebuilding variety and nutritional adequacy afterwards.

START WITH UNDERSTANDING

What is SIBO—and what is it not?

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It may contribute to bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea or uncomfortable fullness after eating.

These symptoms do not always mean SIBO. They may also occur with IBS, coeliac disease, constipation, food intolerances or other digestive conditions. A stool microbiome test is also not the same as a SIBO breath test.

Read more about why SIBO may develop or compare SIBO and IBS.

BREATH TESTING EXPLAINED

How is SIBO tested in Australia?

SIBO is commonly investigated using a hydrogen and methane breath test. Most tests can be completed at home. You follow the preparation instructions, collect a breath sample, drink glucose or lactulose, then collect more samples over the next few hours.

The laboratory measures gases produced when microorganisms ferment the test sugar:

Hydrogen

May support a SIBO pattern and is often linked with bloating or diarrhoea.

Methane

Is more often linked with constipation. The more accurate name is intestinal methanogen overgrowth, or IMO.

Hydrogen sulfide

May be linked with diarrhoea, but it is not measured by many standard Australian tests and interpretation is still developing.

Glucose is absorbed earlier in the small intestine. Lactulose travels further through the digestive tract. Neither test is perfect, so results should be considered together with your symptoms, bowel habits and health history.

Who can arrange a test, what does it cost and how long does it take?

A GP, gastroenterologist or qualified health professional may arrange testing. Some Australian laboratories also accept direct orders.

A single home breath test is commonly around $195 ex GST, although prices vary.
Results are often available within several business days after the laboratory receives the samples.
Always follow the instructions supplied with your test kit, as preparation can affect the result.

For more information, please read: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth ↗

NUTRITION AT EACH STAGE

What should you eat during each phase?

There is no single diet that suits everyone with SIBO. Food choices should be based on symptoms, bowel habits, nutritional needs and medical care.

01 Assess and prepare

Before removing more foods, review what you are eating, your symptoms, bowel habits and test results. The priority is regular, nourishing meals with enough protein, energy and nutrients.

02 Manage symptoms

Temporary changes to portions, fibre or fermentable carbohydrates may reduce discomfort. Simple meals might include a tolerated protein, rice or potato, cooked vegetables and a healthy fat such as olive oil.

A low-FODMAP-style approach may help some people, especially when IBS overlaps, but it is not a treatment for SIBO and should not become a strict long-term diet.

03 Reintroduce
and personalise

As symptoms settle, foods are gradually reintroduced. The aim is to find the widest range of foods and portions you can comfortably enjoy—not stay on a small “safe food” list forever.

A personalised 7-day meal plan can turn your recommendations into practical meals.

REBUILDING AFTER TREATMENT

How do you rebuild
after SIBO treatment?

Recovery is not one universal “gut repair protocol.” A practical rebuilding plan may include:

Reintroducing foods gradually, one change at a time
Increasing plant variety at a pace you tolerate
Eating enough protein, fibre, energy and key nutrients
Supporting regular bowel movements with food, fluids and movement
Reviewing meal timing without using unnecessary fasting rules
Reassessing persistent symptoms instead of repeatedly restricting food

Probiotics, prebiotics and supplements are not automatically suitable for everyone. They should be selected for your individual needs and stage of care.

LOOKING BEYOND THE TEST

Why can SIBO come back?

SIBO may return when an underlying contributor is still present. Possible factors include slow gut movement, ongoing constipation, previous abdominal surgery, some health conditions or medicines, and a different or overlapping digestive problem.

Low stomach acid is sometimes discussed as a cause, but symptoms alone cannot confirm it. Acid supplements are not appropriate for everyone. Read what happens when stomach acid is too low and speak with your doctor before changing medication.

Reducing the chance of recurrence means looking beyond the breath-test result and addressing the reasons the problem may have developed.

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Questions people often ask

Gut health and SIBO support Getting started with your consultation

How can nutrition support help with gut health concerns?

Nutrition support can help identify patterns that may be contributing to digestive discomfort and guide you towards a more suitable way of eating. Ola focuses on a root-cause approach, rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Can a nutrition plan be adjusted if my gut symptoms change?

Absolutely. Your plan can be reviewed and adjusted as your symptoms, tolerance and progress change. That flexibility is an important part of personalised care.

Will I receive a meal plan as part of my support?

A personalised 7-day meal plan is available as one of the services offered. It can be a helpful way to make changes feel more practical and easier to follow at home.

Do I need a breath test before booking?

No. Many people book first and organise testing afterwards, and some already have results from their GP or gastroenterologist. If a breath test would be useful, that is something to discuss in your consultation.

Which Microba test should I choose?

That depends on your symptoms and what has already been investigated. Essentials, Extended and Comprehensive differ in how much they report on gastrointestinal health markers. The comparison page walks through each one, and the free 15 minute assessment exists so you do not have to guess.

Can a clinical nutritionist help with SIBO?

A clinical nutritionist can provide dietary guidance, assess nutritional intake and support food reintroduction alongside appropriate medical care. Ola considers your symptoms, health history, diet, medications and available pathology when developing your nutrition strategy.

What should I eat if I have SIBO?

There is no single SIBO diet suitable for everyone. Recommendations consider your symptoms, nutritional requirements, bowel habits, food preferences and individual tolerance.

Do I need a low-FODMAP diet?

Not everyone needs a low-FODMAP diet. Short-term modification of fermentable carbohydrates may help some people manage symptoms. If restriction is appropriate, it should be reviewed with guidance on reintroduction and nutritional adequacy.

How do I know whether I have SIBO?

Symptoms alone cannot diagnose SIBO. Your symptoms, medical history and bowel habits should be assessed, with breath testing used when appropriate.

Is a stool microbiome test the same as a SIBO test?

No. A stool test mainly reflects the large intestine. A breath test looks for gas patterns that may suggest fermentation in the small intestine.

What should I do during a flare?

Choose simple meals you tolerate, stay hydrated and consider recent changes such as constipation, illness, medication, stress or new supplements. Seek medical advice for severe, new or persistent symptoms.

Can SIBO return after treatment?

Yes. Recurrence may happen when slow motility, constipation or another underlying factor has not been addressed.

Where do thyroid
health and
perimenopause fit?

Thyroid conditions and perimenopause do not automatically cause SIBO, but their symptoms can overlap. Slower bowel movement, constipation, fatigue, bloating and appetite changes may all affect the bigger picture.

Thyroid nutrition support and perimenopause nutrition support consider digestive symptoms alongside your nutritional needs, health history and medical care.

WORKING TOGETHER

Make your next step
personal.

If you would like this mapped to your own test results and symptoms, that is what SIBO nutrition support is for.

Explore SIBO nutrition support

Not sure where to start?

Not sure whether this is the right starting point? Book a free 15-minute health assessment or contact Clinical Nutrition by Ola.

A short call to discuss your concerns and the right next step. It does not include a clinical assessment, nutrition plan, pathology review or supplement recommendations.

Important health information

This page provides general nutrition education and does not diagnose or treat SIBO or replace medical advice. Speak with your GP or gastroenterologist about testing, treatment, medication changes or concerning symptoms.

About Ola Krawczyk

Ola Krawczyk is a Polish-Australian Clinical Nutritionist, ATMS Accredited Member, SIBO-Certified Nutritionist and Microba Certified Nutritionist. She provides online consultations across Australia in English and Polish.

References

Pimentel M, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. 2020.
Quigley EMM, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Update on Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. 2020.
Rezaie A, et al. North American Consensus on Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing. 2017.
Hammer HF, et al. European Guideline on Hydrogen and Methane Breath Tests. 2022.