Latest news with #FODMAP
Health Line
04-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Types of Diets and Tips on What to Eat with IBS
Key Takeaways Avoiding certain carbohydrates, monitoring your fiber intake, and opting for low fat foods are all strategies that may help you manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Foods high in FODMAPs, gluten-containing grains, and high fat foods may trigger your IBS symptoms. If you're not sure if these are triggers for you, try limiting one food group at a time for 4 to 6 weeks to check if your symptoms improve. Before eliminating foods, it's a good idea to seek the assistance of a registered dietitian or gastrointestinal specialist. For some people, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, can affect everyday life. Medical intervention is important in treating IBS, but certain diets may also help. In fact, around 8 in 10 people with IBS find that particular foods worsen their symptoms. Learn about the most common diets that can help ease IBS symptoms. Low FODMAP diet for IBS The acronym ' FODMAP ' stands for 'fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.' FODMAPs are fermentable sugars that may cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. They're usually more difficult to digest and absorb, so they can pass through the small intestines and end up in the colon intact, where they are fermented by bacteria. This fermentation in the colon produces the gas associated with IBS symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. FODMAPs also pull water into your intestines, which may contribute to distention (abdominal swelling). A low FODMAP diet is a type of elimination diet. It involves limiting your intake of high FODMAP foods for 4 to 6 weeks to see if symptoms improve, then gradually reintroducing foods to find out which ones worsen your symptoms. A 2019 review found that around 3 in 4 people with IBS who tried a low FODMAP diet experienced improvements in symptoms. High FODMAP foods to limit may include: Although this diet eliminates some fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, it's important to note that it doesn't remove all foods in these categories. Low FODMAP foods you can eat on this diet may include: lactose-free milk or nondairy alternatives, such as rice milk and almond milk fruits, such as oranges, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes eggs meats, such as skinless chicken and turkey breasts fish, such as cod and halibut vegetables, such as carrots, eggplant, green beans, pumpkin, and zucchini rice or quinoa tofu soy milk hard cheeses To avoid nutritional deficiencies, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before starting the low FODMAP diet. High fiber diet Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that may have several benefits for people with IBS. A 2023 review suggests that fiber absorbs water in your gut, which helps bulken and soften your stool. This could help: regulate bowel movements relieve diarrhea symptoms reduce intestinal gas relieve bloating and abdominal pain It's important to distinguish between two types of fiber: Soluble: This type of fiber dissolves in your intestinal tract, creating a gel-like substance to help digestion. It's found in foods like fruit, beans, and oats. Insoluble: This type of fiber passes through your intestinal tract undigested, which helps bulken stool and increase digestion speed. It's found in foods like brown rice, nuts, seeds, and grains. The review authors note that soluble fibers are recommended for IBS, not insoluble fibers. Insoluble fibers may worsen IBS symptoms, especially if you experience excessive intestinal gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume 22 to 34 grams (g) of fiber daily, depending on their sex and age. However, more than 9 out of 10 adults fall short of this. If you're finding it difficult to eat more fiber, consider speaking to a registered dietitian or doctor about incorporating more high fiber foods or fiber supplements into your diet. A 2017 review found that psyllium fiber supplements — a soluble fiber with a low fermentation rate — are particularly effective for IBS symptoms. Gluten-free diet Gluten is a protein found in grains like barley, rye, and wheat that may damage the intestines of people who have a gluten-related disorder, such as celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). A gluten-free diet is usually recommended for people with a gluten intolerance, but research suggests that a gluten-free diet may also help reduce IBS symptoms. For instance, a 2016 study involving 41 people with IBS found that following a gluten-free diet for 6 weeks reduced symptoms. Those who followed the diet for 18 months continued to have decreased symptoms. That said, a 2018 review found that there isn't enough high quality research to support a gluten-free diet for IBS. Consider eliminating gluten from your diet for 1 week to see if your symptoms improve, then gradually reintroduce foods to see if symptoms reappear. Some foods that are usually high in gluten include: bread cereals crackers pasta some sauces malt vinegar beer These are traditionally made from wheat, which contains gluten. However, many of these foods can be gluten-free if they're made from ingredients like oats, rice, spelt, beans, and potato starch. You can find gluten-free versions of your favorite products in health-food stores and many grocery stores. It's important to note that gluten-free diets are only necessary for people with celiac disease, and they may be helpful for people with NCGS and other gluten-related disorders. Low fat diet Regularly consuming high fat foods is associated with various health conditions and may worsen IBS symptoms. Healthcare professionals may recommend a low fat diet for IBS, especially if you experience frequent diarrhea. This may involve eating fewer than 27 g of fat per day. More research is needed to fully support the benefits of a low fat diet for IBS. However, healthcare organizations like the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) recommend minimizing your intake of fatty, spicy, and processed foods. This may include fried and greasy foods. A low fat diet might involve focusing on eating the following foods: lean meats fruits vegetables grains low fat dairy products Foods to eat and foods to limit The foods that you should eat or limit may depend on several factors, such as your dietary needs, IBS symptoms, and the foods you can tolerate. Everyone's IBS diet will be different, and you may end up consuming a combination of different diets. The table below highlights some foods to consider eating and limiting, but it's important to note that this isn't an exhaustive list: Foods to eat Foods to limit Fruits • oranges • blueberries • strawberries • raspberries • grapes • kiwi • cantaloupe • peaches • watermelon • pears • mangoes • apples • plums • nectarines Vegetables • carrots • pumpkin • eggplant • green beans • bell pepper • cucumber • lettuce • potato • artichokes • asparagus • broccoli • snap peas • cauliflower • Brussels sprouts • mushrooms • onions Dairy • almond milk • hard cheeses • lactose-free products • cow's milk products • yogurt Sweeteners • agave • stevia • maple syrup • dark chocolate • sorbitol • xylitol • high fructose corn syrup Grains • rice • quinoa • spelt • buckwheat • amaranth • oatmeal • wheat • rye • barley Other foods • eggs • lean meats • water • fried, greasy, or spicy foods • soybean products • nuts and seeds • legumes • coffee • alcohol It's important to monitor your symptoms and talk with a healthcare professional before starting a new diet. Frequently asked questions What food is best to eat if you have IBS? The best foods for IBS may depend on your individual symptoms and needs. In general, you may benefit from consuming foods such as berries, oatmeal, gluten-free foods, lean meats, lactose-free dairy products, and stevia. What organ does IBS affect the most? IBS affects your digestive tract, which includes vital organs like your colon, intestines, stomach, mouth, and pancreas. Is pasta good for IBS? Pasta is typically made of wheat, a component of food that most people with IBS react to. Rice-based pasta is a great alternative if you need to avoid gluten completely. Chickpea pasta may be suitable if you're sensitive to gluten, but it should be limited if you need to avoid high FODMAP foods. How to calm an irritable bowel? Making dietary changes may help calm the symptoms of IBS. This may include eating foods containing soluble fiber and temporarily limiting your intake of high fat foods, FODMAPs, and gluten. According to the National Institutes of Health, other ways to help calm IBS include: getting enough sleep reducing stress exercising regularly taking over-the-counter medications, such as antidiarrheals and laxatives The bottom line Several foods and dietary habits may trigger symptoms of IBS like abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. Foods high in FODMAPs, gluten-containing grains, and high fat foods are some common IBS triggers. If you frequently experience IBS, limiting certain foods for 4 to 6 weeks may help relieve symptoms. If symptoms improve, gradually add foods back into your diet to identify specific triggers. Any elimination diet should be done with the assistance of a registered dietitian or gastrointestinal specialist.
Health Line
18-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) a Chronic Illness?
Yes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a chronic illness. This means that you may need to maintain some lifestyle and dietary habits throughout your lifetime to help manage your symptoms. For many people, symptoms of IBS come and go. Flare-ups are periods when you experience symptoms or they worsen, while remission is when your symptoms improve or completely go away. IBS is also unpredictable, which means that flare-ups may occur without notice. Some people, however, may constantly experience abdominal discomfort and other symptoms. This can greatly impact your quality of life and make it more difficult to manage personal, social, and professional relationships. Several lifestyle and dietary habits can help you manage your symptoms. In some cases, a doctor can prescribe medications. Which dietary changes can help me manage IBS flare-ups? Many researchers and healthcare professionals have examined the role of diet in IBS. Foods that contain FODMAPs are a common trigger of IBS symptoms like gas, bloating, cramping, and bowel changes. FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Experts from MONASH University recommend a low-FODMAP diet, which may include eliminating certain foods and focusing on others. For instance, this may include: Eating: oats, skinless and seedless fruits and vegetables, cow's milk alternatives, unseasoned proteins Limiting: cruciferous vegetables, wheat, barley, rye, beans, artificial sweeteners, cow's milk Consider maintaining a food diary to help you identify possible trigger foods. This may include recording the foods and the time you eat, as well as any symptoms you experience. A healthcare professional or registered dietitian could also help you develop a dietary plan. Which lifestyle habits can help me manage IBS? Several lifestyle habits can help you prevent or manage IBS flare-ups, including: exercising regularly quitting smoking, if you smoke trying probiotic supplements managing stress levels drinking plenty of water eating small, more frequent meals Will I need medication for the rest of my life to manage IBS? Most people will be able to manage IBS with lifestyle and dietary changes alone. Since IBS is a condition that comes and goes, taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications can alleviate certain symptoms. OTC drugs may vary depending on the type of diarrhea you have and the symptoms: Diarrhea (IBS-D): loperamide, fiber supplements, and bismuth subsalicylate Constipation (IBS-C): fiber, stool softeners, and laxatives Although these treatments may help, only around 15% of people reported satisfaction with OTC drugs for IBS-D, and 18% for IBS-C. In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe a medication to manage certain symptoms of IBS. These include: It's important to remember that these medications won't cure IBS, only manage symptoms.
CNA
06-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Ex-pastry chef's gourmet burger stall in Bukit Merah was designed by AI and inspired by Tesla's Cybertruck
Since shutting his first F&B venture, a scone kiosk in 2015, former pastry chef Ray Chen, 38, has been wanting to make a comeback with another concept. His wish became a reality in April this year, except that instead of starting a patisserie like he had dreamed, Chen opened hawker stall Kine dishing out lactose-free gourmet burgers at ABC Brickworks Food Centre. Pronounced like 'kind' without the "d", Kine is an old English word for cattle. FORCED TO STOP WORK DUE TO HEALTH STRUGGLES The change in trajectory wasn't by choice but necessity. Chen, who had stints at Flor Patisserie, Les Amis, Tarte by Cheryl Koh and bistro-bar Epiphyte, began experiencing stomach discomfort about seven years ago. 'It was not so serious at first, then I started getting diarrhoea and bloating… this happened almost every day,' the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy graduate told 'Sometimes the pain was so intense, I would faint. It was worse than when I fractured my leg. Eventually this pain caused me to stop working in 2018.' For years, Chen endured these episodes, undergoing test after test at various specialists with no clear answers – until he was finally diagnosed with FODMAP sensitivity, a complex digestive condition that includes lactose intolerance and restricting many common foods like wheat, almonds and apples, this year. How did he manage without an income for so long? 'My wife is working and her salary is enough to support the both of us. But I feel like a xiao bai lian ("kept man" in Mandarin),' quipped Chen, adding that his 35-year-old wife works as an admin at the Housing and Development Board. 'Our family concept is she takes care of the stable income, I take care of the unstable but there-is-big-potential income.' WINDFALL THANKS TO TESLA STOCKS And by that he means investing. During his seven-year break, Chen took a keen interest in investing in US stocks and began doing it full-time. That's when he stumbled upon Tesla. 'I was researching on YouTube and videos on Tesla kept popping up and I kept listening to their story. Tesla seemed very promising at that time, so I sold all my stocks and bought Tesla at about US$20 (S$25.72) per share,' he said. 'It made 10 times [returns], which is a 1,000 per cent increase.' When we probe about his winnings, Chen laughed. 'My wife says I cannot say! She won't even let me tell my friends. It's not super a lot.' 'I haven't cashed out and I'm still holding the stocks 'cos I'm expecting another tenfold [increase],' he added confidently. BURGERS, NOT BAKES Despite not yet cashing out on his windfall, it gave Chen financial breathing room to pursue his F&B dream without pressure. As selling pastries was no longer an option due to his lactose sensitivity, Chen took his time to experiment with business ideas, before settling on lactose-free burgers. 'I listed all the things I love to eat, and burgers stood out. They're tasty, and the risk is not so high as people eat them regularly,' he explains. As Chen had never worked in a savoury kitchen, it was a steep learning curve for the chef. He spent a year practicing cooking techniques as well as developing lactose-free recipes for his buns and sauces. He finally opened a stall at ABC Brickworks Food Centre in April this year. DESIGNED BY AI, INSPIRED BY ELON MUSK It's hard to miss Kine when walking along the aisles of the hawker centre. With its sleek, futuristic stainless steel stall front, Kine, which cost S$40,000 to set up, stands out among its bright, colourful neighbours. Even the menu is displayed on a Xiaomi TV. Designed by AI, the minimalist stall is a subtle nod to Tesla's edgy Cybertruck. 'I like how innovative and different the Cybertruck is,' shares Ray. 'It's controversial, but it makes a point.' To complete the theme and also reduce the use of nanoplastics, burgers are served on customised stainless steel trays, along with a mini fork. 'Can you help me tell people not to steal them?' asks Chen. 'It's only been three days and we've lost 10 big and small plates and 16 forks.' Depending on the size, each tray costs S$1 to S$3, while forks are almost S$1. STOP STEALING HIS FUTURISTIC PLATES AND FORKS It's no surprise that Chen is a fan of Elon Musk, not because the controversial billionaire entrepreneur contributed to his windfall, though 'it helps'. 'It's his ideas,' said Chen. 'I've watched almost all his interviews and he's very open to sharing his real thoughts. A lot of CEOs, especially the big ones, don't want to share controversial ideas 'cos it brings negative comments to them. But Elon Musk is very open and that is very good for investors 'cos you know what he is thinking.' KINE'S MENU Kine currently offers four burgers: Signature British Curry Crunchy Shrimp Burger (from S$9.20), Double American Smash Burger (from S$8.90), Single American Smash Burger (S$7.10), all served with lactose-free buns made using Chen's recipe. There is also a 'budget' version of the single patty smash burger, with store-bought lactose-free burger bun and no cheese (from S$5.70). 'While testing recipes, I knew I wanted to offer a cheaper option, which is why I came up with this 'small' burger, which is cheaper by S$1 or S$2. It is the same patty, but instead of our custom-made buns, we use store-bought ones and no cheese,' said Chen. You can order the burgers a la carte, with a side of basic shoestring fries, or a set with premium crunchy fries and salad, as indicated by the three prices beside each burger on the menu. Sides like salad and fries are available from S$2.40. Chen plans to expand his menu to offer more salads and a chicken burger. DOUBLE AMERICAN SMASH BURGER, S$12.40 A SET Available as a single patty or a double, this juicy, messy burger hits the right notes. Smashed thin and grilled for just a minute, the USDA Prime beef patties, each weighing 100g, are meaty with a caramelised crust. They are topped with melty vegan 'mozzarella' cheese, raw onions and tangy chipotle gochujang dressing. It all sits between tanned, fluffy toasted buns, specially made darker hued so 'they look more appetising'. The colour comes from a 'secret natural ingredient' that Chen keeps close to his chest. The buns are sturdier than regular burger buns, but still soft and fluffy and can contain the juicy toppings without turning soggy. Served on the side are lettuce leaves drizzled with bright, zingy carrot umami dressing and fab crunchy fries with house-made creamy curry dip that reminds us of Twisties BBQ curry flavour. Nice. The double-stack burger is available a la carte at S$8.90 and S$11.70 with regular shoestring fries. SIGNATURE BRITISH CURRY CRUNCHY SHRIMP BURGER, S$12.70 A SET The shrimp burger (S$9.20 a la carte) is pretty unorthodox. Inspired by a shrimp curry ramen Ray had in Tokyo, he set out to recreate the dish in burger form – with a twist. Instead of a shrimp paste patty, the burger features six deep-fried shrimp, which are dredged in egg, flour and a 'breadcrumb-like coating' to give it a crunchier finish. They are paired with subtly smoky teppanyaki-style sautéed beans sprouts, and topped with creamy curry sauce – yes, the same one served with the fries. Though born from a Japanese dish, Chen calls it a British curry burger as the flavour profile is closer to the curries he enjoyed in London. The flavours come together quite nicely, but the occasional earthy taste of bean sprouts may not appeal to everyone. WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE? Kine stands out in the hawker scene with its creative, lactose-free gourmet burgers that deliver on flavour and flair. Every element reflects Chen's attention to detail, from the specially developed buns to the zippy house-made sauces. We like our burgers meaty, juicy, and messy and the hearty double stack smash burger ticks all the boxes. Even the accompanying crunchy fries and dip are yum. Prices are reasonable for the quality, so the stall is worth a visit.
Medscape
22-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Chatbot Helps Users Adopt a Low FODMAP Diet
SAN DIEGO — Low fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) dietary advice has been shown to be effective in easing bloating and abdominal pain, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but limited availability of dietitians makes delivering this advice challenging. Researchers from Thailand have successfully enlisted a chatbot to help. In a randomized controlled trial, they found that chatbot-assisted dietary advice with brief guidance effectively reduced high FODMAP intake, bloating severity, and improved dietary knowledge, particularly in patients with bothersome bloating. 'Chatbot-assisted dietary advice for FODMAPs restriction was feasible and applicable in patients with bloating symptoms that had baseline symptoms of moderate severity,' study chief Pochara Somvanapanich, with the Division of Gastroenterology, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, told Medscape Medical News. Somvanapanich, who developed the chatbot algorithm, presented the study results at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025. More Knowledge, Less Bloating The trial enrolled 86 adults with disorders of gut-brain interaction experiencing bloating symptoms for more than 6 months and consuming more than seven high-FODMAPs items per week. Half of them had IBS. At baseline, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the ability to identify FODMAPs were assessed. All participants received a 5-minute consultation on FODMAPs avoidance from a GI fellow and were randomly allocated (stratified by IBS diagnosis and education) into two groups. The chatbot-assisted group received real-time dietary advice via a chatbot which helped them identify high, low, and non-FODMAP foods from a list of more than 300 ingredients/dishes of Thai and western cuisines. The control group received only brief advice on high FODMAPs restriction. Both groups used a diary app to log food intake and postprandial symptoms. Baseline bloating, abdominal pain and global symptoms severity were similar between the two groups. Data on 64 participants (32 in each group) were analyzed. After 4 weeks, significantly more people in the chatbot group than the control group responded — achieving a 30% or greater reduction in daily worst bloating, abdominal pain or global symptoms (19 [59%] vs 10 [31%], P < .05). Responder rates were similar in the IBS and non-IBS subgroups. Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences between groups only for participants with bothersome bloating, not those with mild bloating severity. In those with bothersome bloating severity, the chatbot group had a higher response rate (69.5% vs 36.3%) and fewer bloating symptoms ( P < .05). They also had a greater reduction in high FODMAPs intake (10 vs 23 items/week) and demonstrated improved knowledge in identifying FODMAPs ( P < .05). 'Responders in a chatbot group consistently engaged more with the app, performing significantly more weekly item searches than nonresponders ( P < .05),' the authors noted in their conference abstract. 'Our next step is to develop the chatbot-assisted approach for the reintroduction and personalization phase based on messenger applications (including Facebook Messenger and other messaging platforms),' Somvanapanich told Medscape Medical News . 'Once we've gathered enough data to confirm these are working effectively, we definitely plan to create a one-stop service application for FODMAPs dietary advice,' Somvanapanich added. Lack of Robust Data on Digital GI Health Apps Commenting on this research for Medscape Medical News , Sidhartha R. Sinha, MD, Director of Digital Health and Innovation, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University in Stanford, California, noted that there is a 'notable lack of robust data supporting digital health tools in gastroenterology. Despite hundreds of apps available, very few are supported by well-designed trials.' 'The study demonstrated that chatbot-assisted dietary advice significantly improved bloating symptoms, reduced intake of high-FODMAP foods, and enhanced patients' dietary knowledge compared to brief dietary counseling alone, especially in those with bothersome symptoms,' said Sinha, who wasn't involved in the study. 'Patients actively used the chatbot to manage their symptoms, achieving a higher response rate than those in the control arm who received brief counseling on avoiding high-FODMAP food,' he noted. Sinha said in his practice at Stanford, 'in the heart of Silicon Valley,' patients do use digital resources to manage their GI symptoms, including diseases like IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — and he believes this is 'increasingly common nationally.' 'However, the need for evidence-based tools is critical and the lack here often prevents many practitioners from regularly recommending them to patients. This study aligns well with clinical practice, and supports the use of this particular app to improve IBS symptoms, particularly when access to dietitians is limited. These results support chatbot-assisted dietary management as a feasible, effective, and scalable approach to patient care,' Sinha told Medscape Medical News .
