Good News About Avocado and FODMAPs

I don’t know about you, but I love avocados and I push the limits on how much I eat. I have noticed I can definitely tolerate more than the 1/8 avocado serving size recommended (previously) in the Monash app. Now I know the reason for that. The Monash FODMAP team (always dedicated to keeping the low FODMAP diet science current and accurate) recently re-tested avocados for FODMAP content and they made an interesting discovery. Avocados, a food analyzed over 15 years ago when the diet was initially developed, surprisingly are not high in sorbitol as previously thought. They are high in a unique sugar polyol called perseitol.

Perseitol, unique to avocados, behaves similarly to sorbitol in the gut. More study of this unique polyol and its potential to trigger IBS symptoms is needed so Monash refrained from reclassifying avocados as low FODMAP for the time being. They did, however, increase the low FODMAP serving size so you can now confidently eat 1/4 - 1/3 of an avocado (up to 2.1 ounces) and that is still considered low FODMAP.

This discovery highlights the complexity of food science and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research in FODMAPs and IBS management. I am thankful Monash University continues to prioritize this science for all of our benefit!

For those missing avocados, I recommend doing your own tolerance testing to see if you truly can increase your avocado intake without triggering symptoms. Don’t know how to do that? I’m always here to help.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Monash team continues to delve into FODMAP science! Read the full article, including all the science, on the Monash Low FODMAP blog.

Looking for Low FODMAP recipes that include avocado? Head on over to my recipe club and type the word “avocado” in the search box. Voila! All my recipes that include avocado. You’re welcome. :-)

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What’s Fiber Got to Do With It?

Fiber exists in multiple forms, each with distinct characteristics. For instance, some types of fiber readily dissolve in water, while others are easily broken down by gut microbes, and some remain relatively intact from entrance to exit!

The various characteristics of fiber determine how it works inside your body, what it does once it reaches your gut, and how well it’s tolerated when you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Experts like to divide fiber into two basic types: insoluble and soluble. Generally speaking, insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve well in water, and soluble fiber does.

Why is fiber so important for people with IBS and which kind is best?

1. Regulating Bowel Movements: Fiber, especially soluble fiber, can help regulate bowel movements by adding bulk to stool, making it easier to pass. For those with IBS who experience constipation or diarrhea, fiber can help normalize stool consistency and frequency.

2. Relieving Constipation: Many people with IBS suffer from constipation, and fiber can help soften stool and promote regular bowel movements, making it easier to pass stool without straining.

3. Alleviating Diarrhea: While insoluble fiber can exacerbate diarrhea in some individuals with IBS, soluble fiber can help absorb excess water in the colon, which can help alleviate diarrhea and reduce urgency.

4. Supporting Gut Health: Fiber serves as a prebiotic, meaning it provides nourishment for beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for overall digestive health and may contribute to symptom relief in IBS.

5. Reducing Bloating and Gas: While some types of fiber can contribute to bloating and gas in individuals with IBS, soluble fiber is less likely to cause these symptoms. Additionally, fiber can help promote regular bowel movements, reducing the likelihood of bloating and discomfort associated with constipation.

6. Managing Weight: High-fiber foods tend to be more filling and can help you feel satisfied with smaller portions, which may aid in weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and may help manage symptoms of IBS.

If you have IBS it's essential to be cautious about the types and amounts of fiber you consume, as some types of fiber can exacerbate symptoms.

Soluble Fiber Takes The Cake

Soluble fiber is gentle on the gut and helps regulate both diarrhea and constipation so it’s the type of fiber to look for when you have IBS.

Good sources of soluble fiber include:

• Oatmeal

• Barley

• Quinoa

• Flaxseeds

• Chia seeds

• Sunflower seeds

• Macadamia nuts

• Sweet potatoes (cooked and peeled)

• Tofu (always choose firm tofu which is low in FODMAPs—not Silken Tofu which is higher in FODMAPs)

• Coffee (YES! Coffee has fiber!) — I always recommend decaf coffee if you have IBS as caffeine is a gut stimulant and irritant

Low-FODMAP Fruits and Vegetables: There are many fruits and vegetables that are low in FODMAPs and are good sources of fiber. These include:

• Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

• Oranges

• Grapes

• Pineapple

• Kiwi

• Broccoli

• Avocado (keeping in mind 1/8 of an avocado is the low FODMAP serving)

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Bell peppers

• Spinach

• Zucchini

Seeds and Nuts: Some seeds and nuts can be high in insoluble fiber, which may aggravate IBS symptoms. However, certain seeds and nuts are lower in insoluble fiber and can be well-tolerated, such as:

• Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

• Sunflower seeds

• Almonds (in small quantities)

• Walnuts (in small quantities)

Gluten-Free Whole Grains: Some people with IBS find that reducing gluten in their diet can help alleviate symptoms. While not everyone with IBS needs to avoid gluten, incorporating gluten-free whole grains can be beneficial. Examples of gluten-free grains include:

• Brown rice (white rice is not considered a whole grain)

• Quinoa

• Buckwheat

• Millet

Fiber Supplements: If it's difficult to get enough fiber from food sources, you may consider adding a soluble fiber supplement to your daily routine. It's important to start with a small dose and gradually increase it to avoid triggering symptoms. Additionally, staying well-hydrated is crucial when increasing fiber intake to prevent constipation.

A couple of readily available soluble fiber supplements can be found on Amazon at the below links.

• Psyllium husk

• Acacia Senegal lso known as gum arabic, acacia fiber, or acacia gum

You can also purchase fiber and all kinds of other supplements through the IBS Game Changer Dispensary directly with a 15% discount and free shipping on orders over $50.

If you follow my blog and use my recipes you’ll see I use Psyllium Husk as a stabilizer in some of my recipes such as my Amazing Seed Crackers. So, it’s not just a supplement!

It's essential to pay attention to your body's response to different foods and fibers and adjust your intake accordingly. It may be helpful to work with an IBS coach for personalized guidance and support while managing IBS symptoms. If that’s what you’re looking for, you know where to find me!

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips and tools

Anxiety and IBS: 8 Things You Can Do to Get Them Both Under Control

Anxiety, the pervasive feeling of worry and unease, is a common human experience. When it becomes chronic, however, it can manifest as a mental condition with far-reaching effects. In this blog post, I’m addressing the intricate relationship between anxiety and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, exploring how they impact each other, and giving you some specific things you can do to get them both under control.

Understanding Anxiety

At its core, anxiety is the response to a perceived threat, often related to an uncertain future event. Chronic anxiety, a mental condition characterized by excessive apprehension, is marked by real or perceived threats, leading to avoidance behaviors and physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder, affect a significant portion of the adult population in the United States and around the world.

The Link Between IBS and Anxiety

Research indicates a clear link between IBS and anxiety. Approximately 44% of individuals with IBS also experience an anxiety disorder, compared to only 8% of those without IBS. Recent studies suggest shared genetic pathways between IBS and certain mental health conditions, emphasizing the close connection between the gut and the brain.

The Gut-Brain Connection

The gut-brain connection, a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain, plays a crucial role in regulating digestive functions, mood, and stress responses. Altered communication in people with IBS may lead to abnormal sensory processing, unpredictable gut functions, and visceral (organ) hypersensitivity, causing you to feel pain and other symptoms.

Breaking the Anxiety-IBS Cycle

The anxiety-IBS connection often creates a challenging cycle that people find difficult to break, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness. Treatment for IBS should include dietary and lifestyle changes, in addition to psychological interventions to address both physical and psychological aspects, and only in a few cases, medication.

Targeting the Gut-Brain Connection

Addressing both anxiety and IBS involves a holistic approach. Mindfulness, mind-body exercises, meditation, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and gut-directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can target the gut-brain connection. On the mental health side, working with specialized professionals like therapists or psychologists helps address anxiety, while collaborating with a nutritional health coach can help you develop strategies for a healthier gut.

8 Things You Can Do Right Away to Help

Tackling the overlap between anxiety and IBS requires effort and multiple different strategies. While the journey may take time, gaining control over both aspects is possible, allowing you to live more fully. If you're navigating IBS and anxiety together, know that support and effective interventions are available, giving you a path toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Here are some things you can do right away that may help both anxiety and IBS:

1. Meditation/guided visualization for relaxation and stress/anxiety reduction, consider using the Nerva App from Mindset Health which is gut-directed hypnotherapy that has been studied and shown to be extremely effective. 

2. If you drink caffeinated beverages, ween yourself off ASAP. Caffeine is a stimulant that in and of itself can cause anxiety. It’s also a gut-specific stimulant and those of us with IBS don’t need gut stimulation for the most part. I suggest switching to pure ginger tea which has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  

3. If you drink any sort of carbonated beverage (especially sugary or caffeinated sodas), ween yourself off ASAP. Carbonated beverages can cause GI irritation, gas, and bloating, and potentially exacerbate IBS symptoms. Switch to plain water (hot or cold). 

4. If you drink alcohol, ween yourself off ASAP. Alcohol itself can cause anxiety (especially as a rebound after over-drinking) and it can irritate the GI tract, and change your gut motility (leading to diarrhea or constipation), it’s a diuretic that leads to dehydration (particularly bad if you suffer from constipation), it’s actually poison and your digestive system doesn’t need anything getting in the way of doing its good work.

5. Get some exercise even if it’s just around the house! If at all possible get outside in some sort of nature (even seeing just one tree!). If you can’t get out, then put some plants in your house so you can look at them while you walk around the house. This has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety almost as well as a walk in nature. If that’s impossible, even pictures of nature can be helpful! Just put them where you can look at them and do some visualization of being there in nature.  

6. Journal – keep track of everything that goes into your body (food, drink, supplements, pills, all of it.). And document your symptoms every day too. This will help you start to see patterns that trigger flare-ups which in turn may trigger anxiety. You can use a blank journal or something like this Gut Health Journal. (If you sign up for coaching with me, I will send you my own journal—but really anything will work!)

7. A Low FODMAP diet can be key to reducing flare-ups and the associated anxiety that comes with those flare-ups. The diet is used to calm your system down and then, through a series of tests you conduct yourself, to determine your personal FODMAP sensitivity profile so you can reintroduce as many of the foods that once triggered you as possible. Want more information about the Low FODMAP diet? Check out my Low FODMAP FAQ.

8. Get connected with a health coach for guidance and support. This can help you get to resolution much faster than trying to do it all alone. If you’d like to have coaching time with me, feel free to schedule an appointment right here.  We can do a 15-minute free intro and/or the full 8-week program so you can really make progress in getting your gut, your mind, and your life back on track.

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

Selected sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733421/

2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00950-8

Link note: This post may contain affiliate links for you to easily purchase items that are linked. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases but none of this costs you a thing so feel free to use the links! In addition, for some items, I have provided a special discount code for IBS Game Changers so be sure to use the code when you purchase an item to get the discount that has been arranged just for you.

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What You Need to Know About Cheese and the Low FODMAP Diet

Cheese comes in all shapes, sizes, flavors, and ages. Good cheese can be an amazing flavor enhancer in all kinds of recipes from savory to sweet. It’s also delicious on its own. But cheese has lactose and I’m on a low FODMAP diet. Doesn’t that mean it’s off-limits for me??

No, it does not! Read on to learn why and to understand how to identify the best cheeses for you to enjoy.

According to Monash University, a dairy product qualifies as low FODMAP if its lactose content is 1 gram or less per serving. This can be determined by assessing the Total Carbs, which includes both Carbohydrates and Sugars, as indicated on the cheese label. This is great to know because it means, whether a cheese has undergone lab testing or not, you can gauge its FODMAP content by examining the nutrition label.

If the Total Carbs on the nutrition label amount to 1 gram or less per serving, you can reasonably conclude that the dairy product is low FODMAP per serving. This aligns with Monash University's guideline of a low FODMAP serving containing 1 gram or less of lactose.

Individuals with IBS are often advised to adopt a "lactose-free" approach, leading to the exclusion of milk and cheese from their diets. However, it's important to note that a low FODMAP diet is not synonymous with being entirely lactose-free. (While some people with IBS may also be sensitive to dairy itself, this is a different issue.)

Nevertheless, not all cheeses are created equal in terms of their compatibility with the low FODMAP diet. This article aims to serve as a helpful guide, navigating you through the intricacies so you can make informed choices that align with both your preferences and your gut health.

Can You Eat Cheese on a Low FODMAP Diet?

Navigating the FODMAP content of cheese can be a bit intricate, but fear not – by the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of what you need to consider when selecting your cheese, whether it's undergone lab testing or not.

Numerous cheeses have been tested for their FODMAP content, and you can easily access this information through the Monash App on your phone. To make things even more straightforward, here's a list of cheeses that have been tested and confirmed to be low FODMAP in a serving size of 1.4 ounces (40 grams):

• Brie

• Cheddar

• Feta

• Goat cheese (such as Montrachet)

• Havarti

• Monterey Jack

• Mozzarella

• Swiss

What About Cheese That Hasn’t Been Tested?

Now, let's address the cheeses that haven't undergone lab testing, which includes some of my favorites, such as blue cheese, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, Fontina, and Provolone just to name a few. You are probably wondering if these cheeses are on the Low FODMAP menu.

The answer is: YES!

You absolutely can include these cheeses in your diet. As always, the key is to be a vigilant label reader and remember you’re looking for total carbohydrates and relative serving size.

It's worth noting that when you purchase cheese from a specialty cheese store, the cheese is typically cut to order and won't carry the nutrition label. What you learn from reading labeled cheese can be applied to these cut-to-order cheeses as well. Just keep serving sizes and weights in mind.

Decoding FODMAPs In Cheese

When it comes to cheese and FODMAPs, the primary concern is lactose. Learn more about Lactose and its effect on those of us with IBS in this excellent article written by my brilliant sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, MHP, NBC-HWC.

Here's the key to figuring out the serving size of untested cheese yourself: if the Total Carbohydrates and/or Total Sugars on the nutrition label amount to 1 gram or less per serving, you can confidently consider that the cheese is low FODMAP per serving. This aligns with Monash University's threshold for a low FODMAP serving regarding lactose, which is 1 gram per serving. So, by keeping an eye on these numbers, you can make informed choices about the FODMAP content in your cheese, ensuring a gut-friendly indulgence.

Read Those Cheese Labels!

Let's take a look at the label of traditional Danish blue cheese. Notice that the Total Carbohydrate per serving is listed as zero. Sometimes this may also be listed as < 1 (less than one). Zero does not mean there are zero carbs at any serving size but it DOES mean there is less than 1 gram of carbs per serving (which is 1 ounce in the case of most cheeses). This indicates that you can enjoy this particular blue cheese, adhering to the recommended serving size, even during the strict elimination phase of a Low FODMAP diet. And you may find, over time, you can tolerate larger serving sizes of cheese if you are not significantly triggered by lactose. (Need help figuring this out? Check out my Game Changer Program right here!)

In every case, when the Carbohydrates and Sugars—collectively referred to as Total Carbs—are under 1 gram per serving, they align with the low FODMAP designation established by Monash University, the gold standard for the FODMAP content of food.

If you come across blue cheese, Gruyere, or any other cheese in a recipe, a simple calculation of serving sizes will reveal whether the recipe falls within the low FODMAP category, specifically concerning the cheese. Whether you're referencing the nutrition label at home or doing this on the spot while shopping, a quick math check ensures you stay in tune with your FODMAP-friendly choices.

How Dairy Becomes Low FODMAP

Some dairy products are treated to reduce their lactose content, making them suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance or those following a low FODMAP diet. These products are labeled “lactose-free” even though most of them do contain lactose but they have been augmented with enzymes to break the lactose down as you eat it. Processes such as fermentation, aging, and specific enzyme treatments can also break down lactose before it even gets to your mouth.

As cheese ages, bacteria and enzymes used in the fermentation process actually consume some of the lactose in the cheese to fuel the fermentation. This results in lower levels of lactose in the final product. So, in general, the longer a cheese is aged, the lower the lactose in the cheese. Both soft and hard cheeses undergo distinct changes as they age and they share the commonality of containing low FODMAP amounts. Examples of aged cheeses include cheddar, Gruyere, Brie, Swiss, Parmesan, and so many more.

So, eat and enjoy every bite because you can!

Navigating Life with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Guide to Empowerment

Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be a daily challenge, but it doesn't have to define your life. By approaching it from multiple directions and adopting a proactive and holistic approach, you can empower yourself to lead a fulfilling and balanced life. In this blog post, I’m sharing some practical tips and strategies to help you navigate the complexities of IBS and discover a sense of well-being.

Understand Your Triggers: The first step towards managing IBS is identifying your triggers. A great way to do this is to keep a daily diary to track your diet, hydration, exercise, stress, along with any symptoms you might be experiencing. This will help you pinpoint specific foods or stressors that may exacerbate your symptoms. Knowledge is power, and understanding your triggers is key to making informed choices.

Consult with Healthcare Professionals: Confirming your symptoms are related to IBS, vs something else, is a very important step. Once you’ve identified your most common triggers it’s always a good idea to consult with a gastroenterologist or your primary healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, rule out other possible causes, and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Try a Low FODMAP Diet: Consider experimenting with a Low FODMAP diet, which restricts certain fermentable carbohydrates known to trigger IBS symptoms. It’s important, when trying any new diet, to keep your diary going by documenting your intake and your symptoms. It’s also important to ensure you're maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. Lots of people identify a few things they can tolerate and they stick to just those things. This is not a good long-term strategy for managing IBS as you need great variety to ensure good health.

Prioritize Stress Management: Stress is a common trigger for IBS symptoms. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Establishing a consistent self-care routine can help you manage your stress levels and promote an overall sense of well-being, which in turn can diminish your IBS symptoms.

Stay Hydrated: Getting adequate hydration is crucial for digestive health. Ensure you're drinking enough water throughout the day (every day), as it helps maintain bowel regularity and supports overall digestive function. Build habits that help you maintain your hydration such as using a water bottle, or filling a glass in the kitchen that you drink every time you pass through.

Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, tailored to your comfort level. Exercise has been shown to alleviate IBS symptoms by promoting healthy digestion and reducing stress. Choose activities that you enjoy, whether it's walking, swimming, riding your bike, or doing some other form of gentle exercise. The most important thing, when choosing an exercise, is that you choose something you enjoy doing so you will do it regularly.

Build a Support System: Living with IBS can be emotionally challenging. Establish a support system of understanding friends and family, and consider joining an online community, such as my IBS Game Changer Community, where you can share experiences and get low FODMAP recipes and tips. Connecting with others who understand what you're going through can provide comfort and valuable insights.

Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a journey, and it's essential to approach it with patience and self-compassion. By understanding your triggers, adopting a balanced lifestyle, and seeking support when needed, you can reclaim control over your life and thrive despite the challenges of IBS. Remember, you're not alone, and with the right strategies, living well with IBS is entirely within reach.

Need help on your journey?

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Mastering Mindful Eating: 13 Essential Strategies to Detox from Mindless Munching

For better or for worse, the holidays are often focused on food. And not just healthy, nourishing food, but food that may be extra rich, extra sugary, and full of FODMAP Triggers. So how do you get back to a mindful mindset when it comes to eating? Detoxing from mindless eating involves building (or rebuilding) mindful eating habits and breaking free from automatic, unconscious consumption. In this blog post, I am sharing some steps to help you regain control and foster a more mindful relationship with food.

You can start by creating a focus on what your body needs, not what your primitive brain wants. This will help you make decisions and prioritize those decisions that support your focus on health. For me, that focus is captured in this variation on Michael Pollan’s philosophy on food: Eat real food. Mostly plants. Prepare it yourself.

Read on for some specific things you can do to help yourself reset after the holidays.

Raise Awareness:

• Start by acknowledging and recognizing your mindless eating habits. Be aware of situations, emotions, or triggers that lead to unconscious eating.

Be Mindful:

• Engage your senses when eating. Sit down and pay attention to the food on your plate. Notice the colors, textures, and flavors of your food. Chew slowly. Savor each bite. This helps you appreciate your food and recognize the signals your body sends when you have had enough.

Create a Distraction-Free Zone:

• Designate specific eating areas and times. Avoid eating in front of the TV, or computer, or while scrolling through your phone. Minimize distractions so you can focus on your meal.

Control Your Portion Sizes:

• Eat your meals on a plate or in a bowl to maintain a clear sense of how much you’re eating and encourage appropriate portion sizes. Don’t eat out of the container, bag, or carton. This can help prevent overeating.

Meal Planning:

• Plan your meals in advance. Having a structured eating schedule reduces the likelihood of impulsive, mindless eating.

Stay Well-Hydrated:

• Stay hydrated throughout the day. Sometimes, feelings of hunger are actually signals of dehydration. Start your day with a big glass of water (this can also help regulate your bowel movements). Drink water before reaching for a snack, then wait 15 minutes to be sure you're truly hungry before eating.

Listen to Hunger Cues:

• Pay attention to your body's hunger and fullness signals. Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied, rather than relying on external cues or emotional triggers. Don’t eat so fast that you zoom right past your body’s ability to let you know it’s full! Slow down, chew your food, and put your fork down between bites.

Mindful About Snacking:

• If you can break the habit of snacking altogether, that’s a great way to minimize mindless eating. But, if you want to keep snacks in your diet, choose them thoughtfully. Opt for real food here too, and something with protein, fiber, and fat that will be filling and satisfying (a handful of nuts, a few of my Amazing Seed Crackers with cheese or Nutzo Nut & Seed Butter, or some chopped vegetables and lactose-free cottage cheese or Nutzo Nut & Seed Butter are great choices). Be conscious of portion sizes. Sit down and savor your snack rather than eating it on the go.

Emotional Awareness:

• Identify emotional triggers for mindless eating. When you feel stressed, bored, or anxious, find alternative ways to cope, such as taking a short walk, practicing deep breathing, or engaging in a hobby. Work on just feeling your emotions instead of letting them drive you to the kitchen to drown them in a bag of chips or a box of cookies. If you give them time, these feelings usually pass within a few minutes, and you can avoid the need to buffer them with food.

Keep a Food Journal:

• Track your meals and snacks in a journal or phone app. This helps you become more aware of what, when, and how. much you eat, making it easier to identify patterns of mindless eating. It’s a great way to be “onto yourself” about portions and portion sizes too.

Mindful Grocery Shopping:

• Plan your meals and related grocery shopping list ahead of time and stick to it. Avoid shopping when hungry, as this can lead to impulse purchases of unplanned and less nutritious foods.

“Safe” Refrigerator and Pantry Shelves:

• Clear out your fridge and pantry of the foods that you tend to eat mindlessly. Often that means the highly processed salty, sugary, or fatty foods that come in boxes and bags. If you live with others and the refrigerator and pantry are shared, then establish certain shelves that are just for you and that contain only the foods you want to be eating. Then you can focus only on those shelves when you’re hungry or preparing a meal. Avoiding temptations is a huge step in the direction of preventing mindless eating in the first place!

Seek Support:

• Share your goals with friends, family, or a support group. Having a supportive network can provide encouragement and accountability on your journey toward more mindful eating.

Remember, developing mindful eating habits takes time and patience. Be kind to yourself throughout the process, celebrate small victories, and gradually integrate these practices into your daily life for a sustainable and positive transformation. The more you practice these techniques, the less you overload your body and the better you feel. It’s something to look forward to!

Need help on your journey? Make an appointment and let’s talk!

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

Link note: This post may contain affiliate links for you to easily purchase items that are linked. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases but none of this costs you a thing so feel free to use the links! In addition, for some items, I have provided a special discount code for IBS Game Changers so be sure to use the code when you purchase an item to get the discount that has been arranged just for you.

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A Few IBS Game-Changing Tips for a Happy Holiday

As we all enjoy the holiday season, I want to extend warm wishes and a virtual hug to this incredible community of warriors who navigate the world of IBS with resilience and strength. Amidst the festive cheer, I understand the unique challenges the holidays can pose for those managing IBS symptoms. But fear not, I'm here to spread some joy and offer a few game-changing tips to make your holidays as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

1. Mindful Munching: 'Tis the season of treats, and while indulging is part of the joy, I encourage mindful munching. Consider low FODMAP alternatives to your favorite holiday snacks, and savor each bite consciously.

2. Festive Flavors, Low FODMAP Style: Transform your holiday feast into a symphony of flavors that won't trigger discomfort. Explore some of my creative recipes that embrace the festive spirit while staying true to your low FODMAP lifestyle. Think roasted meats, flavorful herbs, and festive spices!

3. Sip Smart: Stay hydrated with gentle, soothing beverages. Opt for low FODMAP choices like peppermint tea or infused water with seasonal fruits (keeping an eye on FODMAP content, of course!).

4. Self-Care Amidst the Celebrations: Remember to prioritize self-care. Take breaks when needed, practice deep breathing, and find a quiet space to recharge. Your well-being is the best gift you can give yourself.

5. Connect and Share: The IBS journey can be challenging, but you're not alone. Reach out to this amazing community for support, tips, and shared experiences.

As we navigate the holiday festivities, let's celebrate the victories, big and small, that make us true IBS game changers. From me to you, may your holidays be filled with joy, delicious low FODMAP delights, and the warmth of connection.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season!

Warmly,

Katherine

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Halloween Candy Guide (What’s Low FODMAP and What’s Not)

This time of year Halloween candy is everywhere you look. At work, at parties, at the checkout counter in your favorite store, even at the bank! And it’s tempting to enjoy snacking on a piece or two every place you go.

And let’s face it, at some point, you’re going to want to eat some Halloween candy!

If you are following a low FODMAP diet and Halloween is here. What do you do?

Instead of diving in and eating all of it with wild abandon, how about you do a little learning and planning so you don’t end up feeling terrible?!

Here are three rules to live by:

1. Don’t eat the candy at all those places I mentioned. You’ll just be stuffing it in your mouth because it’s there. Save your candy-eating for a time you can eat something you particularly like and you can take time to enjoy it.

2. Read the list below and stick to the low(er) FODMAP candies in the serving sizes recommended.

3. When you’re finished handing out candy to all the little neighborhood ghouls and goblins, toss it out or donate it. Don’t keep it around the house to “munch on” for days or weeks to come.

Keep it special. Keep it planned. And keep it to a minimum!

This list is excerpted from this post by FODMAP Every Day

Low(er) and High FODMAP Halloween Candy List

For the purposes of this list we are dealing with sweet candies and we feel fairly confident that no natural flavors were derived from onion or garlic, so a few of the candies listed below in the approved columns do contain natural flavors.

If you go rogue and start eating garlic jelly beans (yes, those are a thing), then all bets are off! Don’t do it.

Any candies that clearly list high FODMAP ingredients are on the high FODMAP list.

If you have a history with a particular ingredient, pay attention to your well-earned self-knowledge and stay away.

Serving Size Recommendations

Serving size recommendations are made by Vanessa Cobarrubia RDN as a guide and are based on the Monash University low FODMAP Diet App recommendations for serving sizes for individual ingredients.

As is always the case – we are not offering medical advice and you should always confer with your medical and healthcare team to ensure that you are following guidelines appropriate for your individual body’s needs.

Candy lists are below for your reference. See each list by clicking on the “+” sign to the right.

• Low(er) FODMAP Halloween Candies

  These are the candies we recommend (in alphabetical order by candy name) – in moderation, of course.

  Atomic Fireballs: Practice moderation. Maybe 3 per serving.

  Boston Baked Beans: Maximum 20 to 25 per serving.

  Butterfingers: #7 on many favorite lists. These have some FODMAPs, but they are listed as less than 1% on the label. Start off with half a full-size bar or 1 to 2 fun size bars, or the equivalent of 3 to 4 bites.

  Circus Peanuts: Practice moderation. Maybe 4 pieces max. Some say these are the most hated candy – but someone is eating them!

  Conversation Hearts: Maybe 6 to 8 pieces max.

  Dove Promises Silky Smooth Dark: Limit to 3 pieces (24 g total).

  Dum Dums (lollipops): Limit to 4 to 5.

  Haribo Gummi Bears: Limit to 15 gummi bears.

  Haribo Sour Goldbears: Limit to 15 gummi bears.

  Jolly Ranchers: Limit to 3 to 4.

  Junior Mints: Limit to 12 mini mints.

  Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: Limit to 1 peanut butter cup (20 g) and increase to 2 peanut butter cups (if desired) based on personal tolerance.

  Justin’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: There are no additional milk solids, milk, or lactose added in ingredients outside of the milk chocolate. Limiting to 1 peanut butter cup should keep milk chocolate in safe range.

  Laffy Taffy: Limit to 3 mini pieces.

  Lifesavers Peppermint and Wint-O-Green: Limit to 6

  Marshmallows: Exclude any with high fructose corn syrup, inulin or other high FODMAP ingredients:  For standard size limit to 4 to 5.

  Mounds: Limit to ½ of a full size bar or 1 to 2 snack size bars.

  Mr. Goodbar: Limit to ¼ of a full size bar or 1 fun size.

  NECCO Wafers: Limit to 10 to 15 wafers.

  Nerds: #6 on many lists. Limit to about 1 ½ tablespoons.

  Peeps: These are marshmallows; see above. Limit to 3 to 4 peeps.

  Reese’s Pieces: Limit to 20 to 25 pieces.

  Skittles: #9 on many favorite lists.  Limit to 15 to 20 skittles.

  Smarties: Limit to 2 rolls.

  Sno-Caps: Limit to 1 to 2 tablespoons.

  Sour Patch Kids: #8 on many favorite lists.  Limit to 6 to 8 pieces.

  Swedish Fish: Limit to 2 to 3 pieces.

  Sweet Tarts: Limit to 6 to 8 pieces.

• High FODMAP Halloween Candies

  We recommend that you do not eat these candies. Or, at least know what you are getting into.

  Kit Kat: #4 on many favorite lists. Contain wheat flour, lactose, and dairy

  Milk Duds: These are milk chocolate based, which is allowed in .5 ounce/15 g amounts, but also contain multiple milk products

  Milky Way: These are milk chocolate based, which is allowed in .5 ounce/15 g amounts, but also contain additional milk products, lactose, and malted barley which is untested by Monash

  Starbursts: Contain fruit juice concentrates, including apple.

  Tootsie Rolls: Contain condensed skim milk and additional whey.

  Twix: #3 on many favorite lists. Contain wheat flour, lactose, and dairy

• Candies To Try If You Are Feeling Daring

  For this category, Vanessa recommends trying a small piece to assess your own tolerances. Note that many of these come in “minis”, which might be a great place to start.

  Almond Joy: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Dove Promises Silky Smooth Milk: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Heath Bar: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Hershey Bar: #10 on many favorite lists.  These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  M & M’s: #5 on many favorite lists.  We cannot be sure of lactose content. Try a few.

  Mars Bar: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose; also lists barley malt.

  Nestlés Crunch: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose; also lists barley malt.

  Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: #1 on many favorite lists.  These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Skor: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Snickers Bar: #2 on many favorite lists.  These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Three Musketeers: These list milk products multiple times and we cannot be sure of the amount of lactose.

  Twizzlers: Contain wheat flour

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips & tools

Exploring Metabolic Health: A Special Feature for Metabolic Health Day

Metabolic health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, yet it often remains overlooked. In recognition of Metabolic Health Day (October 10), in partnership with my sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, NBC-HWC, I’m delving into this crucial topic and addressing some of the most common questions:

• What exactly is metabolic health?

• Why is it so significant for our overall health?

• Can you take steps to improve your metabolic health?

• How is blood sugar interconnected with metabolic well-being?

• Is it possible to gain insights into your metabolic health by utilizing continuous glucose monitoring?

• And perhaps most importantly, can you reverse the consequences of years of neglecting your metabolic health?

Read on to discover the answers to these questions and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of metabolic health in our lives.

Curious about metabolic health? Wondering why it's essential? Ready to take charge of your well-being? You're not alone. Clients often ask these very questions, and the answers can pave the way to better health.

Understanding Metabolic Health

Metabolism fuels your body by converting the food you eat into energy for your cells. Optimal metabolic health ensures that these processes run smoothly. Metabolic health can be assessed through five key markers:

1. Blood sugar

2. Triglycerides

3. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

4. Blood pressure

5. Waist circumference

If you're medication-free for these issues and these markers fall within the recommended ranges, your metabolic health is in excellent shape. But there's a sixth marker that's just as important – how you feel. When your metabolic health is on point, you feel good.

The Significance of Metabolic Health

Is metabolic health crucial? Absolutely! If you have three or more "worrisome" markers, you're at risk for diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. In fact, these markers can be used to predict or signify heart disease and likely prediabetes or diabetes.

A surplus of glucose in your bloodstream triggers oxidative stress and glycation. Poor metabolic health can lead to:

• Low energy or energy fluctuations

• Mental fog

• Body pain

• Fluid retention

• Poor exercise stamina

• Weight challenges

• Widely varying moods

• Skin issues

• Fertility problems

• Low libido or sexual issues

• Susceptibility to infections

Improving Your Metabolic Health

Can you improve your metabolic health? Yes, you can! In the past, metabolic health was more of a given due to lifestyle and dietary choices. But as processed foods and snacking have become the norm, metabolic health has declined. In 2019, 88% of North Americans were deemed metabolically unhealthy. That means only 12% of us are metabolically healthy!

You can improve your metabolic health, often called metabolic fitness, by making daily choices that support your metabolic processes. Your diet, meal timing, sleep, stress management, physical activity, and more all play roles in this dynamic state of well-being. It's not an on/off switch; it's a daily continuum determined by your choices.

The Connection Between Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health

Glucose from your food is your cells' fuel. Insulin helps cells use glucose, but when cells aren't hungry for fuel due to frequent eating or highly processed foods, they become insulin resistant. This protective response keeps glucose out of cells, preventing them from overloading. When your blood sugar rises, it's a signal your cells are resisting insulin.

Can you tell something about your metabolic health by wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?

Absolutely! The glucose pattern of someone in poor metabolic health looks erratic, a roller coaster of variability.

They will likely see higher glucose peaks after eating high-starch foods. Their glucose may remain elevated for two or three hours after a meal or go up and down for several hours after eating. Morning glucose may be high, and/or the average glucose can be high.

Reversing the Damage of Poor Metabolic Health

Can you reverse the damage done by years of poor metabolic health? The answer is yes and no. Your organs and systems adapt to defend against glucose toxicity. This defensive mode can lead to various issues.

You can halt and even reverse some of this damage by:

• Reducing the pressure on your liver, cardiovascular system, and pancreas

• Lowering inflammation

• Allowing for cellular cleanout

There's hope for a healthier future, and you have the power to optimize your metabolic health through daily choices.

Armed with this knowledge, you may feel you need help to make some changes to address your Metabolic Health. That’s where health coaching comes into play. If you have IBS and Metabolic Health concerns, learn about my program and set up a free consult with me and we can talk about how to tackle your issues! If you do not have IBS but you have pre-diabetes, weight management issues, or other metabolic health imbalances, then head on over to my sister site, Diabetes Game Changer. It might be just what you need to prepare yourself to have the best new year ever.

Here's to your best health and a thriving, resilient body.

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips and tools

Understanding Constipation: A Must for IBS Sufferers

What is it? What are some common myths about it? What can you do about it? And why are you looking at a picture of coffee?

For those of us with IBS, constipation is an important symptom to understand. If you're experiencing new or worsening constipation, seeking a gastroenterologist's evaluation, including a colonoscopy, is essential to rule out any underlying causes other than IBS. In this article written by my sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, NBC-HWC, for her Diabetes Game Changer Program, you'll find answers to most of the questions you might have about constipation.

Here’s the “Bottom” Line:

Whether you have IBS-C, IBS-D, or a combination of the two, IBS can manifest as constipation intermittently or all the time. I encourage you to read the full article for all the details.

• Constipation has little to do with how often you poop and everything to do with how easy and comfortable your GI tract feels

• Suffering from constipation does not mean you have an unhealthy diet

• Hydration matters a lot

• Moving your body matters, especially after meals

• A regular and predictable eating routine helps

• Medications could be the cause, so check them out with your provider

• Increasing your intake of soluble fiber and avoiding processed foods might be all you need to do to fix the problem!

  Still having issues and need customized and personalized support? Sign up for my IBS Game Changer Program and we can work together to get your gut on track.

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips and tools

Tips for Navigating the Grocery Store Low FODMAP Style

Figuring out how to navigate a low-FODMAP diet can be challenging on its own. When you add the task of navigating the grocery store to find low-FODMAP foods and ingredients for enjoyable family meals, it can feel overwhelming and discouraging even before you’ve set foot in the store! To simplify this process, I've created a step-by-step guide to assist you in getting through the grocery store and coming out with all the low-FODMAP foods and ingredients you need.

Low FODMAP Grocery Shopping Made Easy

1. Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the list of high and low FODMAP foods. You can use the Monash app or the Spoonful app for packaged foods, and you can use my food and shopping lists for easy/quick planning and buying.

2. Plan Your Meals: Before you go shopping, plan your meals and make a shopping list based on my low FODMAP recipes and meal plans. This will help you stay focused and avoid purchasing non-compliant foods.

3. Read Food Labels: When shopping, carefully read food labels for ingredients that are high in FODMAPs. Look out for ingredients like wheat, garlic, onion, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. Avoid foods that contain these ingredients. Use the Spoonful app to scan barcodes and help you quickly assess FODMAP ingredients to watch for.

4. Stick to Whole Foods: The safest way to ensure you're getting low FODMAP ingredients is to focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, lactose-free dairy, rice, quinoa, and some gluten-free grains like oats are generally safe options.

5. Check for Certified Low FODMAP Products: Some brands now offer certified low FODMAP products. Look for the "Certified Low FODMAP" logo on the packaging, as this indicates that the product has been tested and approved as suitable for a low FODMAP diet. Some examples include Smoke N Sanity seasonings, salsas, and sauces; Fody Foods products, Green Valley and Good lactose-free dairy products, and others.

6. Avoid Onions and Garlic: Onions and garlic are common high FODMAP ingredients used in many processed foods and condiments. Instead, look for garlic-infused oils (the oil contains the flavor but not the FODMAPs) or use onion and garlic substitutes like garlic-infused oil or just the green parts of green onions, leeks, and spring onions.

7. Shop the Perimeter: In many grocery stores, the outside aisles of the store are where you'll find fresh produce, meats, dairy, and other whole foods. These are generally safer choices for a low FODMAP diet than all the processed foods on the inside aisles.

8. Beware of Hidden FODMAPs: Some foods that seem healthy may contain hidden FODMAPs. For example, certain fruits and vegetables in dried or canned forms, some gluten-free products, and certain sauces or marinades can contain high FODMAP ingredients.

9. Experiment and Keep a Food Diary: Everyone's tolerance to FODMAPs is different. After shopping for low FODMAP ingredients, be prepared to experiment with portion sizes and combinations of foods to determine what works best for your individual needs. Keeping a food diary can be helpful for tracking your symptoms and identifying trigger foods. The shopping lists linked in this article are excerpted from the journal I provide my coaching clients to track not only food and drink, but also exercise, stress level, bowel movements, and more.

Remember that while a low FODMAP diet can be beneficial for managing IBS symptoms, there’s more to it than that. Working with a healthcare professional who specializes in gastrointestinal health can be a real game changer. That’s why I created my 8-week program to provide just the right amount of guidance, education, and support to go from unpredictable and uncomfortable to predictable, comfortable, and in the driver’s seat! Take a look at the program here and read some of the success stories from program graduates.

Link note: This post may contain affiliate links for you to easily purchase items that are linked. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases but none of this costs you a thing so feel free to use the links! In addition, for some items, I have provided a special discount code for IBS Game Changers so be sure to use the code when you purchase an item to get the discount that has been arranged just for you.

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ Tips and Tools

The Delicious Dimension: Exploring the Visual and Textural Joys of a Restricted Diet

When you’re limiting the selection of foods you eat for any reason, it’s important that the foods you do eat are as appealing and delicious as possible. That includes what your food LOOKS like and what it FEELS like when you eat it! Embarking on a restricted diet can be a challenging journey, often requiring meticulous attention to what you eat. While the nutritional content of food takes center stage, the way food looks and feels should not be underestimated. In this post, I’m digging into the significance of considering the aesthetics and textures of food when following a restricted diet and why this aspect matters for our overall well-being. I’ve included lots of links to delicious low-FODMAP recipes you can try when you’re ready to experience the many amazing things you can eat when following a low-FODMAP diet.

The Power of Presentation

A Feast for the Eyes: The old adage "we eat with our eyes first" holds true, especially for those on restricted diets. The visual appeal of food plays a crucial role in anticipation, satisfaction, and even the desire to consume the meal. When faced with dietary limitations, crafting visually appealing dishes can make each meal a delightful experience. Taking the time to chop some fresh herbs, grate some extra-flavorful cheese, or drizzle a little olive oil on the final dish can make all the difference. Try this Chicken Cobb Salad or Spring Roll Salad with Peanut dressing in my recipe club for example, or Better Than Takeout Sesame Chicken on my blog.

Emotional Fulfillment: Restricted diets can evoke feelings of deprivation and monotony. By putting effort into the visual presentation of meals, we transform our eating experience from a mere necessity to an emotionally satisfying ritual. A colorful and well-arranged plate can boost mood and elevate the overall enjoyment of the meal. Try my Super Simple Chocolate Lava Cakes or my Mushroom Gruyere Savory Bread Pudding, for example or any of the soup recipes in my recipe club.

The Crucial Role of Texture

A Multisensory Experience: Texture influences our perception of food more than we realize. The crunch of a fresh salad or the creaminess of mashed potatoes engages our senses, enhancing the dining experience beyond taste alone. This multisensory engagement becomes especially significant on restricted diets where the range of foods may be limited. Try my Crisp and Crunchy Chicken Salad, or my One Pan Thai Peanut Chicken and Veggies for example.

Appetite Stimulation: Texture can influence our appetite as well as our sense of satiation. Foods with varying textures stimulate our taste buds and appetite, making us more likely to enjoy and feel satisfied with a meal. For those adhering to specific dietary restrictions, incorporating diverse textures can make each bite more enticing. Try my Vegetable Chicken Stew, or my Chinese New Year Chicken Salad for example.

Mimicking Familiar Foods: On restricted diets, finding alternatives to favorite foods can be challenging. Texture can play a crucial role in replicating the experience of familiar meals. For example, creating a gluten-free pizza crust with a satisfying array of toppings can, not only mimic the texture of traditional pizza, but you might just find you like it even better than the original! This sameness with your old standards can provide a sense of comfort and normalcy. Check out this amazing Rosemary Mushroom Flatbread, or this BBQ Chicken Pizza with Bacon and Pineapple, or my Chocolate Cake with Umami Chocolate Frosting, in my recipe club for inspiration!

Expanding Culinary Creativity: Exploring new textures within the confines of a restricted diet can foster culinary creativity. Discovering how to use ingredients like nuts, seeds, and alternative flours to create crunchy crusts, velvety sauces, or chewy snacks can turn dietary limitations into an opportunity for innovation. In my recipes, I do my best to incorporate as much variety as possible—especially when it comes to plants as they play a vital role in keeping our gut biome healthy. Try my Umami Chicken and Butternut Squash Ramen, or my One Pan Chicken Arroz Caldo, for example.

Summing it all up

As we all experience our own IBS journey and the Low FODMAP diet that often accompanies that journey, keep in mind that food is not just sustenance—it's a sensory experience. The way food looks, feels, and engages our senses can significantly impact our relationship with our meals. By embracing the power of presentation and texture, you can infuse joy, anticipation, and a deeper connection with your meals. Crafting visually appealing dishes and experimenting with diverse textures can turn the challenge of eating a restricted diet into an opportunity to explore new horizons. So, let's celebrate the beauty and diversity of food, even within the boundaries of our dietary restrictions. After all, savoring a meal is not just about nourishment; it's about relishing life's sensory pleasures.

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

Curious about Keto and using the Keto Diet to Manage IBS Symptoms?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people worldwide and if you are reading this, it’s likely you are one of those people. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for managing IBS, which is why I am constantly learning and researching new possibilities to share with you. Recently, I attended a conference for Metabolic Health Practitioners and much of the data presented led me to conclude a ketogenic diet could be one pathway to relief for some of us with IBS. In this blog post, I am sharing how the keto diet can potentially help control your IBS symptoms, and what the keto diet is, along with some practical tips for getting started on a keto diet.

The Basics of the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet is higher in healthy fats, and lower in carbohydrates which is designed to shift the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This metabolic shift can impact various aspects of health, including mental alertness and concentration, getting rid of excess weight, and managing IBS symptoms. Because all FODMAPs are carbohydrates, it stands to reason a low-carbohydrate diet will reduce your IBS symptoms. For some people with IBS, trying to understand FODMAPs and what you can and cannot eat is a huge challenge. The keto diet may help simplify things to the point that real relief from IBS symptoms can be achieved and maintained without having to focus so much on the potentially overwhelming world of FODMAPs.

The Potential Benefits for People With IBS

Reduced Carbohydrate Intake: This is the primary pathway to relief because we know all FODMAPs are carbohydrates and FODMAPs can trigger IBS symptoms in most people with IBS. The keto diet drastically limits carb intake, potentially reducing exposure to FODMAPs and eliminating most symptom triggers.

Improved Gut Microbiome: As I’ve mentioned before, there’s emerging research that points to a connection between the gut microbiome and IBS symptoms. The keto diet might positively influence the gut microbiome composition, which could alleviate IBS symptoms.

Stabilized Blood Sugar Levels: Fluctuating blood sugar levels can contribute to IBS symptoms. The keto diet's focus on fats and proteins can help stabilize blood sugar, potentially reducing the symptoms that are related to excess sugar.

Implementing the Keto Diet for IBS Management

1. Before making dietary changes, it’s always a good idea to consult your own healthcare provider, especially if you have other underlying health conditions. They can guide you on whether the keto diet is suitable for you.

2. Once you get the go-ahead, ease into the keto diet slowly to allow your body to adapt. Drastic changes can sometimes trigger digestive discomfort.

3. When eating a keto diet, opt for low-FODMAP foods within the keto framework. Examples include meats, fish, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, and certain nuts and seeds. Keep in mind, you are taking carbs out and adding fats in. If you have questions about the FODMAPs in any food, I recommend using the Monash University FODMAP app. It’s the gold standard when it comes to food and FODMAPs.

4. Keep yourself hydrated. This, of course, applies to all diets but in particular, the keto diet that can cause increased water and electrolyte loss. If you have trouble maintaining your electrolyte balance as a result of fluid loss, I recommend using Trace Minerals 40,000 Volts drops (up to 1 teaspoon per day) to maintain electrolyte balance without adding sugar or other FODMAP-containing ingredients to your diet.

5. While the keto diet is low in carbs, incorporating low-carb, non-starchy vegetables can provide essential fiber to support gut health. (If you find you need more fiber, I recommend adding up to one scoop of Paleo Fiber Resistant Starch Fiber to your daily routine.)

6. Finally, mindful eating is more important than you might think no matter what diet you may be on. Pay attention to serving sizes and listen to your body's cues for fullness and satiation. Overeating on anything, even on keto-friendly foods, can exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Getting Started

Getting started on a keto diet requires some planning and preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Review the list of basic keto-friendly foods below.

2. Stock your kitchen. Clean out your pantry and stock up on keto-friendly ingredients. Focus on foods like avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, eggs, fatty fish, and non-starchy vegetables. Having these items readily available will make cooking keto meals much easier.

3. Plan your meals. Start by creating a meal plan that includes a variety of keto-friendly foods. Incorporate low-carb vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and small portions of low FODMAP options. Planning your meals ahead of time will help you stick to the diet and avoid last-minute temptations. I have lots of low-FODMAP Keto-friendly recipes in my recipe club. Here’s a filtered view for you to find many of them.

4. Listen to your body. Every individual's response to the keto diet is unique. Pay attention to how your body reacts, and adjust your dietary choices accordingly. If you encounter persistent discomfort or adverse effects, consult your healthcare provider.

Remember, the keto diet isn't suitable for everyone, and its long-term effects are still being researched. It's important to prioritize a balanced, nutrient-dense diet that meets your individual needs and health goals. If the keto diet doesn't align with your preferences or health considerations, there are numerous other dietary strategies to explore in managing IBS symptoms. Always choose an approach that you enjoy and you can stick with or you won’t succeed.

So what do you eat on a keto diet?

On a keto diet, you'll primarily focus on consuming foods that are high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Here's a list of basic foods that are typically included in a keto diet:

1. Healthy Fats:

   • Avocado (keep to 1/8 per sitting for low FODMAP) and avocado oil

   • Coconut oil and coconut products

   • Olive oil

   • Butter and ghee

   • Nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, walnuts, chia seeds)

   • Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel)

   • Cheese (in moderation)

   • Heavy cream

2. Protein Sources:

   • Lean meats (e.g., chicken, turkey, beef, pork)

   • Fatty cuts of meat (e.g., bacon and sausage but watch for onions/garlic in the ingredients)

   • Eggs

   • Fish and seafood

   • Tofu (firm tofu is low FODMAP) and tempeh (for vegetarians)

3. Low-Carb Vegetables:

   • Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale, lettuce)

   • Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli tops are low FODMAP, and Arugula too)

   • Zucchini

   • Bell peppers

   • Cucumber

4. Berries (in Moderation):

   • Strawberries

   • Blueberries

   • Raspberries

5. Dairy Alternatives (if you don’t tolerate dairy well):

   • Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or other plant-based milk (but watch for FODMAP ingredients)

   • Dairy-free cheese alternatives (check labels for carbohydrate content)

6. Herbs, Spices, and Condiments:

   • Herbs and spices (e.g., basil, oregano, etc.)

   • Salt and pepper

   • Vinegar

   • Mustard

   • Hot sauce

7. Beverages:

   • Water

   • Herbal tea (without added sugar)

   • Black coffee (decaf is best for those with IBS and in moderation)

Summing it up

The keto diet holds promise as a potential tool for managing IBS symptoms. However, it's crucial to remember that everyone's body responds differently to dietary changes. What works for one person might not work for another. The keto diet should be undertaken with careful consideration, ideally under the guidance of your healthcare provider. It's also important to continue exploring other IBS management strategies, such as exercise, stress reduction techniques, and identifying specific trigger foods. Using this comprehensive approach, you can work towards reducing the impact of IBS on your quality of life. If you want expert guidance and coaching to support your health journey, check out my complete coaching program here. I would love to help you!

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ Keto-friendly recipes

Hydration and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Understanding the Connection

By now, we are all pretty much aware that for most of us, drinking plenty of water is very important for our overall health. For those of us with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it’s even more important. While the exact causes of IBS are not totally clear, research suggests that hydration plays a significant role in managing IBS symptoms. In this blog post, I have broken down the connection between hydration and IBS, and I’ve shared a few practical tips to help you maintain your own optimal hydration level.

Let’s look at hydration and gut function for starters. The gastrointestinal tract requires adequate hydration to function optimally. Adequate hydration supports digestion, nutrient absorption, bowel motility, gut lining integrity, and microbial balance. For those of us with IBS, proper hydration is especially important as it can help alleviate common symptoms like constipation and bloating. Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is essential for overall gut health and well-being.

Fluid Balance and Symptom Management: Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining fluid balance in the body. Proper fluid balance can have a positive impact on IBS symptoms. Dehydration can exacerbate gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. A randomized controlled trial published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that increasing fluid intake improved symptoms and overall well-being in individuals with IBS (1). Furthermore, a well-hydrated body helps prevent constipation

Choosing the right thing to drink for hydration is very important: While water is the best choice for hydration, other drinks can contribute to your overall daily fluid intake as well. Some examples include herbal tea (my go-to herbal tea is this Ginger Tea), infused water, or other non-caffeinated, low-sugar drinks. It is very important to be mindful of certain drinks that may trigger or worsen IBS symptoms. Caffeine-containing drinks, carbonated drinks, and those drinks that contain a high percentage of sugar can irritate the gut and cause bloating and discomfort when you have IBS. Opting for water, infused water, herbal tea, or other non-caffeinated, low-sugar options is almost always going to be the best choice for maintaining hydration without exacerbating IBS symptoms.

Practical Tips for Hydration and IBS Management:

• Set a goal to drink at least 8 cups (for a total of 64 ounces) of water every day to maintain hydration levels.

• Build habits around drinking adequate water such as keeping a glass by the sink that reminds you to fill it and drink it every time you pass by.

• Carry a water bottle with you to ensure easy access to water throughout the day.

• Sip water regularly instead of gulping it down in large quantities, which can cause bloating.

• If plain water feels boring, try infusing it with low-FODMAP fruits (oranges or strawberries for example), vegetables (cucumber slices for example), or herbs (mint or basil for example) for added flavor. Simply fill a pitcher with water, add the fruit, vegetables, or herbs, and then let sit in the refrigerator until you’re ready to drink it. Refresh the whole thing every couple of days.

• Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine, carbonated drinks, and sugary beverages.

• Monitor urine color to assess hydration levels. Clear or light yellow urine usually indicates adequate hydration.

Staying properly hydrated is essential for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome and minimizing its symptoms. Adequate hydration supports proper gut function, helps maintain fluid balance, and alleviates common symptoms such as constipation and bloating. By being mindful of your fluid intake and making informed drink choices, you can improve your overall well-being. Remember, water is the absolute best option for hydration, but other hydrating beverages can be included that will keep you hydrated without triggering your symptoms. Just set all the excuses aside (about why you can’t possibly drink 8 glasses of water a day) and give your gut what it needs to function well. You will be giving your entire body and mind just what it needs to make you feel your best.

Drink and enjoy every sip because you can!

References:

1. Teixeira MZ, Guedes CC, Barros LL, et al. Fluid intake and symptoms in adults with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips and tools

Why Eating Fermented Foods Benefits You and Your Gut - And How to Eat More

If someone told you there was a natural, inexpensive, non-prescription way to boost your mood, modulate your weight, and avoid getting sick, I bet you’d be quite interested! Well, I’m here to tell you there is! And all you have to do is get a bit of fermented food in your diet each day. Wondering how to pack a peck of pickled peppers into your diet? In this post, I have put together a list of the most common fermented foods and their benefits, including the low FODMAP serving of each.

Eating Fermented Foods:

• Boosts your mood and helps you concentrate

  Adding fermented foods to your diet increases the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Some of those beneficial bacterial convert to hormones such as Serotonin (the happy hormone) which helps boost your mood. A healthy gut full of beneficial bacteria contributes to and supports your mental health and cognitive function – think improved memory and concentration!

• Boosts your immunity

  Eating fermented foods can increase your antibodies which protect you against invading pathogens naturally improving your immunity.

• Helps control your weight

  Eating fermented foods can help regulate your hunger hormones, which in turn can help to control your weight. Adding fermented foods to your diet may also help reduce sugar and carbohydrate cravings too!

• Makes food easier to digest

  Adding fermented foods to your diet can make the nutrients more bio-available and more digestible so your gut doesn’t have to work so hard to get the most out of what you eat.

• Reduces inflammation in your body

  Adding fermented foods to your diet can help reduce systemic inflammation. Reducing inflammation can help with chronic diseases such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease. It can also help offset inflammatory lifestyle factors such as poor diet, excess caffeine, overconsumption of sugar, certain medications, etc.

Some common fermented foods—and Low FODMAP servings

Yogurt (lactose-free) - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 6 ounces
Yogurt is one of the most popular and common fermented products available today. Be sure to choose organic whenever possible. Also look for natural, and probiotic-rich yogurt for maximum health benefits. And of course, steer clear of the highly sugared yogurt parfaits. Plain lactose-free yogurt with some nuts, homemade granola, or fruit on it is ideal. Vegans (or those who don’t tolerate the whey in milk) can try coconut yogurt made with organic coconut milk fermented with probiotic starter.

Kombucha - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 6 ounces
A very popular fermented tea drink that uses a colony of yeast and bacteria known as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). It might not sound very good, but tastes delicious! It can be flavored with different fruits and spices to create a mildly fizzy, gut-loving, highly beneficial, delicious drink. Look for one that doesn’t have added sugar (it will always be fermented with fruit or something that has sugar anyway). My favorite is GT’s Marine Greens which is fermented with Kiwi juice and tea. As it contains some a small amount of caffeine even after fermenting, it’s important to adjust the serving size to your tolerance and have it early in the day!

Kefir (lactose-free) - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 8 ounces (or 1 Tablespoon of traditional Kefir with Lactose)
Milk kefir is a tart, drinkable, natural yogurt. It contains many beneficial probiotics and is high in Vitamin B12, calcium, and magnesium. It can easily be added to smoothies for a simple probiotic boost. Water kefir is just as beneficial and is ideal for vegans. It is made from grains and can be flavored in a similar way to Kombucha.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) contains acetic acid which supports the function of probiotics and prebiotics in your gut. It is ideal as a blood sugar balancer and digestive aid. Mix it into salad dressings, soups, and sauces, or add a teaspoon to a glass of warm water before meals to help with digestion. ACV contains important digestive enzymes. Taken before bed, it can have a positive effect on morning fasting blood sugars.

Here’s an article I wrote about taking ACV as a supplement while on a low FODMAP diet. 

Sourdough Bread - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1 Slice (.92 ounces)
The long fermentation process involved in making sourdough bread helps to make nutrients found in the grains, more available for absorption and reduces the antinutrient content that may make digestion difficult. Those with gluten sensitivity, who might usually experience bloating and indigestion when eating regular bread, may have little or no digestive symptoms when eating real sourdough bread. To identify “real” sourdough bread, it must not include commercial yeast or vinegar in the list of ingredients. These are used to create bread that tastes like sourdough but is not actually fermented. If you go to your local bakery, where you’ll find the absolute best sourdough bread, you can ask to confirm it is made in the traditional way with a long period of fermentation.

Miso - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
Miso is a soybean paste that is made from brown rice or barley fermented with a type of fungus called Koji. Traditionally used in Asian recipes, as a base for soup, it’s a great flavor enhancer and probiotic food booster. Try adding it to salad dressings along with apple cider vinegar and to soups and stews. There are multiple varieties (all good!) and you can buy them in most grocery stores. You can also make it yourself (if you don’t mind waiting at least 12 months for it to mature!)

Sauerkraut - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
Traditionally made from white cabbage, it can also be made with red cabbage, fennel, and other vegetables. Sauerkraut is rich in fiber, B vitamins, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C. It’s also an excellent source of trace minerals which are important for blood clotting and healthy bones. Simply add a spoonful of sauerkraut to your salads or soups 3-4 times per week for optimum health benefits.

Sauerkraut is extremely cheap and easy to make. Want to make your own? Here’s an excellent how-to article from which much of this content was derived.

Kimchi - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1/4 cup (1.66 ounces)
Kimchi is a Korean delicacy dating all the way back to the 7th century. It is a spicy version of sauerkraut that is typically made with Chinese leaves, garlic, ginger, and chilies (so read the ingredients before diving in and look for one without the garlic.) These add potent anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants to the probiotic benefits. It can be added to your next stir-fry or soup for a strong flavor boost.

Tempeh (plain) - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1 Slice (3.5 ounces)
Tempeh is made from whole fermented soybeans, to create a very dense, cake-like product that contains more probiotics and health benefits than the more well-known soybean-based food, Tofu. It is more textured than tofu, chewier, and much higher in protein. It can be used as a meat substitute. It’s sometimes hard to find plain tempeh so watch for FODMAP ingredients used to flavor the tempeh.

Tofu (firm/drained) - Low FODMAP Serving Size: 1 Cup
Tofu is also made from fermented soybeans and it can easily absorb flavors which makes it very versatile in recipes. It is a great source of protein important for the growth and repair of tissues. It also contains Phyto-estrogen compounds – important for hormone balancing (particularly in menopause). If possible, always choose non-GMO sourced tofu, not the highly processed soy protein isolate you often find in the grocery store. And, for low FODMAP, always use firm tofu (not the silken variety).

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ tips and tools

Eat Your Way to Happiness! (Low FODMAP)

If you have IBS, you’ve heard terms like “gut brain” or “second brain” before but you may not really understand what that means—and why it’s so important for those of us with IBS. Ordinarily, we talk about the gut-brain in terms of the response to food and FODMAPs. In this article, we’re focusing on the role of the gut in regulating mood. Did you know that your gut bacteria produce a whopping 95% of your serotonin (the primary “happiness neurotransmitter”) and about 50% of your dopamine (another “happiness neurotransmitter”)? In fact, your gut produces MORE neurotransmitters than your brain does!

It seems clear then, that when your gut bacteria are not happy, you are not happy either! So, let’s talk about eating your way to happy which means we will be focusing on “Psychobiotic health” a term used by researchers to refer to gut microbes that benefit mental health.

How do you promote healthy, happy, and flourishing gut bacteria? Read the full article, written by my amazing sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, NBC-HWC, to learn how to avoid going Psycho by going Psychobiotic!

When you’re ready to start eating your way to happiness, you can find over 100 plant-forward low-FODMAP recipes in my recipe club, perfect to expand your diet, nourish your gut biome, and support the production of your happiness brain chemicals.

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More IBS Game Changer Tips and Tools

Bringing the experts to you - Free Virtual Speaker Series: IBS Secrets Revealed

One of the biggest challenges when struggling with gut issues is finding answers. It should be easy, but you and I both know it’s not.

My friend and colleague, Kelly Cleveringa of Clever Body Wellness, hosted a speaker series she called IBS Secrets Revealed that brought together a group of experts from all areas of the gut health spectrum to offer all sorts of advice for improving your digestion and enhancing your life. I was honored to be a part of this digestive health summit and I’m sharing the on-demand link so you can watch the entire series, or just pick the topics that interest you most.

There were 15 expert speakers in this virtual summit talking about different areas of living with and treating IBS.

These amazing experts included…

Katherine Aitken-Young from IBS Game Changer

Heather Van Vorous from Help for IBS

DeDe Wilson from Fodmap Everyday

Helen Brooks from The Tummy Whisperer

Amy Laura from FODify It

And many more!

When you’re at the right table with the right people, you heal faster than you ever could on your own. This is the right table which is why I’m thrilled to have been included as a speaker and I want to share the content with you!

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

Check out my latest Deliciously Low FODMAP™ recipes

Manage Your IBS Symptoms with Yoga—Poses to Calm Your Belly and Your Mind

When I eat the wrong thing, eat too much, or feel extra stressed, my IBS Symptoms flare up. And, over the holidays, I did a lot of all of those things. This year, however, instead of taking to my bed or curling up on the bathroom floor, I had an awesome new tool in my toolbox—yoga! I discovered yoga thanks to my amazing daughter and, since I started practicing yoga regularly, I have seen many benefits to my overall health and well-being—including significant benefits to my IBS symptoms in particular. When a recent clinical study confirmed, “Yoga may be as effective as pharmacotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise, and the low FODMAP diet to reduce IBS symptoms, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and stress in patients with IBS,” I was convinced yoga should be considered an important part of managing IBS.

There are a few yoga poses, in particular, that are calming to your gut and that’s what I’m sharing with you here. Don’t worry, you don’t have to find a yoga studio and sign up for classes right away, just follow the guidance in this article to add some yoga moves to your day and you might just find you feel the benefits—and you’re hooked!

My friend Alexandra Edwards is an amazing human being and practitioner of movement medicine and owner of Monterey Bay Contrology in Monterey, California. Ali was kind enough to sit for pictures of some of the poses that are good for your gut so you can see exactly what you’re going for. Whether you’re having IBS symptoms or not, I hope this article inspires you to give yoga a try.

Seated side twist (Parivrtta Sukhasana)

Sit down on the floor and cross your legs. Take a deep breath in and lengthen your spine and the sides of the body, then turn and put your right hand on your left knee, and steady yourself with your other hand behind you. Breathe out and gently twist while looking over your left shoulder.

Hold this pose for five slow breaths, then release and repeat on the opposite side.

Focus on drawing your navel towards your spine at the end of each exhalation.

Seated side bend (Parsva Sukhasana)

Sit down on the floor and cross your legs. Start your side stretch by taking a deep breath in and raising your left arm, then exhale and stretch the left arm over to the right, bending into a side stretch and supporting yourself with your right arm. Think of elevating on the left side of your body not collapsing on the right. Hold for five breaths. Repeat on the other side. Look up to the ceiling as shown for a greater stretch.

Cat-cow (Chakravakasana): Cow

Make your way to your hands and knees with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.

Take a deep breath in, draw your navel to the floor, look up to the ceiling, and exhale. This is the "cow” part of Cat-Cow.

Then go to the “cat” part of Cat-Cow and repeat 5-10 times.

Cat-cow (Chakravakasana): Cat

From the “cow” position, take a deep breath in as you arch your back to the ceiling like a cat stretching. Think of drawing your navel toward your spine as you do this, tuck your tailbone down, open the space between your shoulder blades, and let your head drop. Then go back to the “cow” part of Cat-Cow and repeat 5-10 times. Align the movements of Cat-Cow with your breath: in for cat and out for cow.

Sun salutation (Surya Namaskar)

Sun Salutation is a series of yoga poses performed in a sequence to create a flow of movement. Watch the video below to see the combination of movements that make up the complete sequence.

Start standing up with your toes touching and your heels slightly apart. Take a breath in and raise your arms to the ceiling, exhale, and fold forward touching your hands to the floor

Take another breath in and raise up halfway with your fingertips on the floor or lightly touching your shins. Exhale, and return to forward fold.

Bend your knees, place your hands on the floor below your shoulders, and then step your left leg back into high lunge. Next, step your right leg back so you are in a plank position. Hold this pose for a breath or two or flow right through it to the next part of the sequence.

Bend your knees and go through the following Chaturanga sequence (Chaturanga: from plank position, exhale, lower yourself down to the mat evenly as though doing a push-up, as you breathe in, straighten your arms while leaving your hips on the floor to move into upward facing dog; breath out and move into downward facing dog) hold for a breath, step your left leg forward into a lunge, then step your right leg forward to meet your hands in forward fold at the top of the mat, inhale and stand up lifting your arms toward the ceiling, bring your hands to heart center (prayer) to finish.

Do this same sequence on the opposite side, then do each side again once more. Two full sequences are a great way to stretch and massage your belly.

Locust pose (Salabhasana)

Lie on your stomach with your arms by your sides. Engage your gluteal (butt) muscles and, as you take a breath in, lift your head, upper torso, arms, and legs away from the floor. Don’t lift so high that you feel a pinch in your low back and be sure to tuck your pubic bone/lower abs in.

Exhale and release to the ground. Repeat this pose five times and try to hold each time for five breaths in and out.

Bow pose (Dhanurasana)

Lie on your stomach with your arms by your sides. Bend your knees and take hold of your ankles or feet. (If you can't reach your ankles or feet, you may use a strap or towel.) Engage your back and gluteal (butt) muscles and as you take a breath in, lift your head, upper torso, arms, and legs away from the floor. With strong legs and arms, gently pull on your ankles/feet to create the shape of a bow (like a bow and arrow).

Once you’re in this position, use your breathing to create a rocking motion to stimulate your digestive tract. Inhale to let the upper abdomen expand and exhale to contract. After five inhalations and exhalations (or sooner if you have any discomfort) release to the ground.

Knees-to-chest (Apanasana)

Lie on your back. As you take a breath in, slowly bring both knees to your chest and hug them into your body. You can grasp your wrists or your elbows, whatever is most comfortable. Try to keep your shoulders on the floor. Rock side to side if you like. Hold this position for five breaths.

Reclined spinal twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)

Lie on your back and extend your legs. Take a breath in and, as you breathe out, hug both knees into your chest. Stretch your left leg out, keeping your right leg hugged in. Place your left hand on the outside of your right knee and gently pull it over to the left. Extend your right arm straight out to the right, turn your head to the right. Relax and hold the pose for at least 10 slow breaths. (You can adjust this pose by moving both legs to one side if that’s more comfortable.)

To switch to the other side, slowly come back to center, hug both knees into your chest and repeat on the other side.

Reclining bound angle pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Lie down on your back. Place the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to gently fall apart. Focus on breathing from your belly, not your chest. To help with this, you can put one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest and try to breathe so only the hand on your belly rises.

You may use blankets or pillows to support your knees and make yourself comfortable. Do slow, deep breathing and stay in this pose for five minutes or as long as you are comfortable.

Corpse pose (Savasana)

This could be the best asana of all so don’t skip it!

Lie on your back with your legs and arms extended and slightly spread out. Allow your legs to relax and turn out to the side. Close your eyes. Focus on breathing from your belly, not your chest. To help with this, you can put one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest and try to breathe so only the hand on your belly rises. Stay in this position for five minutes or more as you relax in this pose.

Come out of this pose slowly by rolling onto your side first and resting in fetal pose (Parsva garbhasana) for a few breaths before coming up to a seated cross-legged position. Rest for a few breaths before standing.

Navigating The Holidays Without IBS Flare-ups

The holidays are fraught with opportunities to eat and drink all kinds of foods that aren’t in our normal daily diet, and to be with people or in situations we may or may not be comfortable with. That means those of us with IBS often spend much of the holidays not feeling our best or, even worse, feeling terrible. Why is that? Because we are surrounded by food, drink, people, and situations that are likely to be full of IBS triggers and we can’t (or won’t) say no because we are concerned about what others might think about us. So what do you do about that?

If you’ve managed to get your IBS under control, then you’re pretty aware of the triggers that affect you. And, when you know your triggers, you know what happens if you dive in and eat or drink things that will trigger you: You’ll have a flare-up! (If you haven’t gotten your IBS under control consider making that your New Year’s resolution and let’s talk!)

Instead of closing your eyes, accepting every invitation, and eating and drinking whatever is offered, ask yourself why you are not comfortable declining things that will make you feel sick.

Thank you to my amazing sister, Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, NBC-HWC, for the collaboration on this post.

My friend and I had a conversation the other day, and we were talking about the feeling of pressure to “try this amazing onion dip” when everyone else was raving about it. Or garlic mushrooms, or whatever other food is being served. 

I have absolutely NO problem saying "no" to food that I know will make me sick. It bothers me not in the least, not even a pang. 

My friend, on the other hand, has LOTS of drama around it. She pretty much felt it was just too painful and she couldn't do it. She didn't want people to think she was “on a diet.” She didn't want to be the "party pooper." She didn't want to be "that person." She felt, by declining, the hostess would be insulted and the party would be ruined for her and everyone else. 

But she has no trouble at all saying "no" to a special holiday cocktail. She is just not a big cocktail lover. 

And I have drama around that one (although I'm much better than I used to be!). 

So, what's the difference? Why are we absolutely fine being the "different one" in one situation, and not in another? 

The difference lies in our thoughts, and it is US who are the ones being judgmental. 

Her thoughts reflect her OWN judgments about herself and other people saying "no" to food, not the thoughts of those around her. It is SHE who would be thinking, "Is that woman on a diet?" "What a party pooper." "Well, she's sure a problem to invite to a party." "Oh great, we have a health nut in the crowd." 

She herself is a judgmental person. 

With that in mind…here’s the fix!

Stop. Being. So. Judgmental. 

(And you know what that is? A slightly judgmental statement on my end – that you should be less judgmental. See how hard it is to get away from these things?)

How do you do that? 

Develop self-awareness by observing your thoughts. 

Learn to catch yourself in the act. Listen to your thoughts. Look for phrases such as: 

• That person shouldn’t do _____________[action].

• If I were that person, I wouldn’t do ____________[action]; I would do _____________[alternative action] instead. 

• That person is so ______________ [negative adjective]. 

Once you learn to recognize these thoughts, ask yourself why you feel the need to judge the people in question. 

Take note of what triggers your judgmental thoughts. 

Judgments can be either positive or negative; in either case, you’re assuming you know the full situation and the reasons behind someone’s behavior. 

Next time you catch yourself making a judgment about others, turn it into an opportunity for introspection. 

Why do you think the other person’s actions pushed your buttons? 

How can you work on improving those beliefs or insecurities? How is what the other person is doing/saying any of your business? 

For example, you might be more judgmental when you’re around certain people, in certain environments, or when you’re feeling a certain way. Learning to recognize these triggers is an important step toward becoming less judgmental. 

Practice empathy. 

In most cases, if someone is doing something you are judging harshly, you won’t know their motivation unless you ask them about it. If you can ask politely and with a genuine sense of curiosity, go ahead and ask! If you can't ask with that mindset, then practice some empathy and open your mind to various possible explanations for their behavior and their choices. Give people the benefit of the doubt. 

Be accepting. 

Once you’ve tried understanding the other person, accept them for who they are. It’s really hard to change someone else. In fact, succeeding is highly unlikely. Only they can change themselves, as only you can change yourself. 

You don’t have to be their best friend or even like them, but see if it is possible to avoid judging them or letting negative thoughts fester in your mind. 

Show yourself compassion. 

Your judgment of others reflects your judgment about yourself and therefore your actions and reactions. Once you dial down your judgmental mind, you may find it gets easier to say “no thank you” to food, drink, stressful situations, or even certain people, that you know will trigger a flare-up. You might just discover a wonderful sense of freedom when you give yourself permission to politely decline—without judgment or concern. No need to apologize. No need to make a big deal.

And remember, nobody is perfect, and you’ll probably stumble quite a few times in your quest to be less judgmental. Forgive yourself and keep trying. And have a wonderful holiday season no matter what.

Want to learn more about how to get your IBS under control?

What You Need to Know About GERD and Low FODMAP

Those of us who have IBS often have companion problems related to our digestion that can cause us unnecessary pain and suffering. One of those potential companion problems is GERD or (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). There’s a lot of misinformation about GERD out there and there’s even more information that is correct, but very difficult to understand. With that in mind, I am sharing an excellent guest post written by an expert (who just happens to be my amazing sister), Sarah Aitken, RN, MS, WHNP/FNP, and featured in her own Game Changer program.

GERD can be the cause of heartburn, difficulty swallowing, burping a sour taste, excessive coughing or throat clearing, and more. Thankfully, many of the foods we can eat freely even while on a low FODMAP diet, actually help prevent GERD. And, lots of the foods we may already restrict on a low FODMAP diet are the ones that can make GERD worse. So, if you’re truly following a low FODMAP diet, you may already have cured yourself of GERD symptoms. But, if you’re having symptoms even while you’re following a low FODMAP diet, then this article just might give you the additional information you need to improve your symptoms. 

Want to learn more about how to follow a low FODMAP diet? You can get learn more right here.