What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also known as irritable colon is a very common gastrointestinal disorder that affects 1 in 7 people. It affects the digestive system, where the symptoms occur mainly in the large intestine.
Symptoms of IBS
Symptoms can vary from one person to the other and can be worse for on to the other.
Common symptoms:
Stomach pain or cramps
Stomach pain or cramps are usually worse after eating and can get worse as the day goes by.
Bowel Changes
This can be constipation, diarrhea or alternating between constipation and diarrhea - meaning erratic and unpredictable and bowel habits
Bloating
Abdominal bloating - the sensation of an inflated balloon in the abdomen, your tummy feel uncomfortably full and swollen
Excessive wind/gas/ fart
Excessive flatulence where passage of flatus/gas/wind is greater then usual.
Fatigue
IBS may cause fatigue
What is the best diet for IBS management/ relief?
There are many different dietary strategies that can help relieve IBS symptoms. Research at Monash University, King’s College London and numerous other centres around the world has shown that a low FODMAP diet improves IBS symptoms in at least 75% of IBS sufferers. Therefore, a low FODMAP diet is the first treatment choice for people suffering from IBS.
FODMAP DIET
The FODMAP diet is considered one of the best and most effective IBS treatments.
What does FODMAP mean?
- Fermentable – gut bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrate to produce gases
- Oligosaccharides – Fructans & GOS – found in foods such as wheat, rye, onions, garlic and legumes/pulses.
- Disaccharides – Lactose – found in dairy products like milk, soft cheeses and yogurts.
- Monosaccharides – Fructose – found in honey, apples, high fructose corn syrups, etc.
- And
- Polyols – Sorbitol and Mannitol – Found in some fruit and vegetables and used as artificial sweeteners.
Understand how FODMAPs can trigger gut symptoms in people with IBS
3 steps process to manage your IBS symptoms and feel at your absolute best!
Step 1 Low FODMAP Diet
Week 1-2: Remove all high FODMAP food to get rid of 80-90% of the symptoms.
Step 2 FODMAP Reintroduction
Week 3-8: FODMAP rich foods are reintroduced foods back into your diet one by one (total of 6 food groups) to identify which FODMAP types trigger your IBS symptoms, and which do not.
Step 3 FODMAP Personalization
After identifying your high FODMAP trigger foods, foods that are well tolerated are reintroduced back into your diet.
In most cases, you will be able to reintroduce many high FODMAP foods back into your diet, but you may not be able to eat them in the same quantity as before.
Your IBS dietitian may also recommend you specific probiotics to increase your gut health and improve tolerance to some foods.
Programmes:
IBS/ FODMAP diet
- Initial Consultation
- Meal Plan or 7 Days Personalised Menu
- 2 x 1 Hour Follow-up
- Kings College Booklets on Low FODMAP Diet
- Recipe Booklet
- Unlimited Support by Email
Individual Session
- Initial Consultation (60 mins) - Includes Personalised Meal Plan - £119
- 1 hour follow-up session - £90
- 30 Minutes Follow-up Session - £50
