The Low-FODMAP diet can seem frustrating at first…
I have seen it myself. The frustration that people feel mentally and physically when they are told they should “try” the Low-FODMAP diet to help reduce their IBS or other gastrointestinal symptoms but are only provided a one-page sheet on what ‘FODMAP’s are.
The great news is that there are so many wonderful Low-FODMAP resources available to help people navigate the elimination and challenge phases, including two of my favorite books- one of them being Kate Scarlata & Dédé Wilson’s The Low-FODMAP Diet: Step by Step and the second book being The Complete Low-FODMAP Diet (A Revolutionary Plan for Managing IBS and Other Digestive Disorders) by Sue Shepherd, PhD & Peter Gibson, MD, which I will review now.
This book contains a lot of information.
Which is why it is a wonderful resource to have on hand.
Sue Shepherd, PhD & Peter Gibson, MD really get into it in the beginning, so if you want to have a better understanding about the fundamentals of gastrointestinal disorders and how nutrition plays a role in these, they will set you up with some knowledge.
They also give a great breakdown of the FODMAPs and devote an entire chapter to implementing the Low-FODMAP diet before moving into putting it into practice (including sections on disease specific situations, for example: the Low-FODMAP diet and diabetes, etc.).
What is uniquely wonderful about this book?
The sample menus!
- For those who are starting an elimination diet, there is really nothing better than this because you have two weeks already planned out for you and all of the recipes at your disposal.
- For vegetarians who consume dairy and eggs.
- I had to emphasize the vegan menu plan because I know for many of my vegan friends and clients over the years who have been through the Low-FODMAP elimination diet- they have really appreciated having all of the help & menu recommendations that they could find.
In the back of the book there is a space for you to keep track of your intake and related symptoms (if applicable) in a food diary that you can either write in or you could copy the pages to make a diary for several weeks while you are doing both the elimination and challenge phases of the Low-FODMAP diet.
There are many things that this book does to help make the Low-FODMAP diet easier, in fact there is an entire chapter dedicated to this. Of particular note are the sections on Low-FODMAP versus gluten-free foods and wheat avoidance (when is it appropriate?) which are amazing.
I absolutely do not want to leave this review without highlighting the recipes in the book.
Yes, they are beautiful and amazing but will especially be of interest to those of you who are struggling to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
I have been overjoyed by the ratio of sweets to other recipes (and good sweets like mocha mud cake, baked caramel cheesecake, macaroons, frozen cappuccino…and so much more)!
Give The Complete Low-FODMAP Diet (A Revolutionary Plan for Managing IBS and Other Digestive Disorders) by Sue Shepherd, PhD & Peter Gibson, MD a read if you are considering the Low-FODMAP diet for better symptom control. Enjoy!
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