The low Fodmap diet has been scientifically proven to significantly help people with irritable bowel syndrome. But that doesn’t come without its challenges because Fodmaps are in nearly all foods, including vegetables, fruit and grains. If you don’t want to eat any Fodmaps at all, you will be left with fat and protein meats. That may suit a dog, which has a different digestive system, but we would die from malnutrition. All we can do is regulate how many Fodmaps we eat at each meal. And here’s the thing – that varies with the individual. I am yet to meet a client who malabsorbs all four Fodmap groups. But the final formula for each client can be radically different from the next one. Not just because of the four Fodmap groups (two of which have two subgroups) but also because of other gut irritants that have to be taken into account. Not to speak of your own possible intolerances that are peculiar to you – it could be the oxalic acid in spinach, the salicylates in nuts and seeds, … [Read more...] about How complex is this diet?
The Art of Accepting Help
The other day, I was in the supermarket check out queue when the lady ahead of me had trouble getting her credit card to work and she was getting flustered and red in the face. The man behind me started muttering impatiently. My heart went out to her because we have all experienced similar embarrassing moments. I noticed that she was only buying a packet of chips and a can of coke so I offered to pay for them. She looked at me in horror, shook her head and kept trying her card. I said that I really didn't mind, but she told me she couldn't possibly accept. So she left the chips and coke on the counter and walked out without them. I felt awkward and somehow in the wrong for offering help. Do they feel is it an admission of weakness, that they are giving up their independence? [Tweet "While a challenge, it is actually a sign of strength and wisdom to accept help."] We are social beings who need to interact and help each other in order to survive. We are pack animals, and we … [Read more...] about The Art of Accepting Help
Two Weeks to be Free of IBS Symptoms
Last week, you read all about Juliette's success story HERE and the miracle that happened in her life with the low Fodmap diet. If not, pop over there and read it and then come back here. I am going to guide you step-by-step through the process of implementing the low Fodmap diet over a period of two weeks with the Low Fodmap Diet Formula workshop. These two weeks will revolutionize your life. I know you’ve been struggling with getting your IBS under control and working out this low Fodmap diet, so this workshop is going to get you sorted once and for all. All you need to do this course is a device of some kind so you can receive emails. If you are not able to attend any of the live sessions, they are all recorded so you can listen to them in your own time. So you can be anywhere in the world and still participate. How to create a personalised, nutritionally balanced, low Fodmap meal plan based on detailed examples and templates How … [Read more...] about Two Weeks to be Free of IBS Symptoms
Juliette’s Story – from crippling pain to baffled excitement
Juliette has given me permission to tell her journey from crippling pain to baffled excitement but her name has been changed for privacy reasons. She wrote the following on her application form for my coaching program: “I have had IBS for years and years. I also have a twisted or loopy gut. I am in constant pain and no doctor has been able to help me. I hate food as it makes me so sick. The only treatment is pain meds and laxatives when bloating gets too bad. Diarrhea is out of control and then it stops and I bloat up and that is when the laxatives enter the picture. Without the pills I would have no life. I spent many years without meds and life was not worth living. Could never plan, travel or make any commitments. I want off these drugs and to be able to live a normal life. Even half the pain would be life-changing. I eat once a day and am underweight. Eating makes me sick so if something is planned, I don’t eat. Such a crazy way to live. I will try anything at this point. My … [Read more...] about Juliette’s Story – from crippling pain to baffled excitement
My IBS Story – with a happy ending
I have over 14,000 subscribers now with around 200,000 page views a month and know that many of you have been with me since the beginning, and I thank you for your loyalty. I have heard many of your stories with IBS through my coaching and complimentary pre-coaching phone calls, but have you heard mine? Maybe yes, maybe no. I recently uncovered a video I made a few years ago and it tells my story from the beginning of my life up to now. You may be interested in listening to it so here it is. … [Read more...] about My IBS Story – with a happy ending
The Liberation of Living with Very Little
Last week, I wrote about how little I owned when I was 18 years old and living and working as a teacher in the Fiji Islands. And I spoke about the possible link between the severity of irritable bowel symptoms and the clutter in our lives. In the last year, I have had two chances to live with very little – one by choice and the other was thrust upon me. I have travelled to many countries in the world and my husband and I used to take one check-in suitcase between us and small carry-ons. Now we only take two carry-ons with us and this saves us a massive amount of time when counted up over the whole holiday. No check-in queues, no waiting by the carousel for the luggage, no need to wait for a porter. But also no back strain when carrying them up and downstairs, to transport and off it. There is so much less stress all round when virtually everything you have fits into a small suitcase. Last year, we travelled to Costa Rica, Guatemala and San Francisco. I packed two pairs of … [Read more...] about The Liberation of Living with Very Little
