What Is IBS and How Can The Low FODMAP Diet Help?

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Did you know that every two out of ten people suffer from IBS in the UK alone? With many people suffering from this illness it can become increasingly difficult to find foods which won’t upset our stomachs.

ibs sufferer holding stomach

In this article, we will be sharing our knowledge on what IBS is, how a FODMAP diet could be the answer for you and how you can incorporate IBS friendly meals into your everyday life. 

What is IBS?

You may have heard of the very common disorder, IBS, which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This illness affects an individual’s digestive systems causing an increased sensitivity of the bowel. Every person suffers from this differently and there is a range of common symptoms that can occur. For example, pain to the abdominal area, cramping, bloating or changes in your bowel movements. In addition to feeling tired or having lack of energy, getting nauseous on a regular basis, having backache or other joint pains and regular headaches, IBS is fun for no one. 

At the moment, there is no ‘cure’ for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Many doctors suggest certain lifestyle changes and small steps which individuals can take in order to manage the illness. If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, it’s important to discuss them with your doctor. Whilst IBS is common, the after effects you are experiencing could be from a number of illnesses such as a gluten intolerance or Crohn’s Disease, which will need to be treated differently. Getting a diagnosis from your doctor will make it all the easier to change up your lifestyle and begin making your stomach happy again. 

What is IBS?

What Is A FODMAP Diet?

The acronym FODMAP stands for or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. All of these are short-chain carbohydrates which your small intestine can struggle to absorb, especially if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

For the many people that suffer from IBS, sticking to a FODMAP diet could be the answer to managing their disorder. A FODMAP diet refers to only eating food that is low in certain sugars which could be adding to the pain in your abdomen. The concept is that this diet eliminates certain food groups until the individual can figure out which food is causing their symptoms of IBS. Whilst this diet may seem very restrictive for many, eventually, you will be able to start eating the food you love again, just not the items which are causing your stomach pain. It is recommended that you shouldn’t stick to a diet for long, but avoiding any of the high FODMAP foods which can trouble your digestive system on a daily basis, should be continued. 

Where To Start With Your FODMAP Diet

As FODMAP diets work to eliminate foods that can be causing your stomach distress, look at what you eat on a daily basis. Foods that are considered ‘High FODMAP’ food, which will play havoc with your gut such as, milk, yoghurt, beans, lentils, onions, garlic, apples, cherries, ice cream and some breads, should be avoided at all costs. Start by taking these types of foods from your diet and see if that improves your symptoms. The next step would be to slowly reintroduce these products back in, so you can eliminate the one that your gut doesn’t like. 

But what can I eat on a low FODMAP diet? When swapping out foods, it’s important to understand what could be beneficial for your stomach. For example, eggs and certain meats can be fine, as well as almond milk, rice, oats, potatoes, cheddar, grapes, oranges and even some berries, like strawberries and blueberries. It’s all a matter of finding out what works best for your gut.

Slightly Different Foods is a small, family run business which focuses on making IBS friendly store cupboard foods. Our range of Award Winning products are perfect for quick weekday meals, which can be made in minutes and with every product, we can guarantee that it will be 100% tasty, packed with nutrients and perfect for anyone who suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

ibs cooking sauces 

When you shop with Slightly Different Foods, whether you are looking for cooking sauces, salad dressings, condiments or general table sauces, we can guarantee you that you’ll be buying FODMAP friendly products that will leave your stomach feeling happier than ever. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to use our products or are getting bored of your normal meals, we have a selection of IBS friendly recipes on our website too, which should get you excited about dinner time once again. 

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