The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well with IBS

Eating Well with Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Kate Scarlata is a "stand out" amongst IBS and other related GI health books. As with many syndrome-type medical conditions, it can take years of people suffering before the medical community gets a full grasp on exactly what the condition is, if it even exists and how to treat it. Dedicated research and the many IBS sufferers have finally put IBS on the map as a definitive diagnosis that deserves attention. Based on first hand experience as an IBS sufferer and her thorough research of IBS as a nutritionist , Kate carefully constructs a path down which the reader truly learns this GI syndrome, which foods and nutrients help and hurt it, and what sorts it out from other GI illnesses.The first half of the book is devoted to the science and physiology of IBS and the latest research on which nutrients are wrecking havoc on your gut, primarily the fermentable carbohydrates. Many things you will learn, including the role of probiotics, the good and bad of fiber with IBS, food intolerances vs. allergies vs. sensitivities, how to eat out, and maybe most importantly the latest research on FODMAPs, an acronym to describe the specific carbohydrates that for various reasons never get fully digested and end up leaving you bloated and bound or bound for the bathroom. This is the heart of IBS treatment, which the medical community is starting to wake up to...because IBS sufferers improve with it.I have used the FODMAPs to help my IBS patients and it works; people feel better and can live more functional lives.The second half of the book includes a broad range of tried and true tested recipes that will leave you wanting to try them regardless if you have IBS. Kate's style of writing and humor make this a wonderful blend of the hard science of IBS with the "how to's" of treatment. It gives IBS sufferers the tools to enjoy eating again and the medical community a reliable resource for a far too long, misunderstood diagnosis. I highly recommend IBS sufferers and anyone who treats them to read it.

This book is wonderful. It explains in clear simple language what you are dealing with and how to handle it. Once your doctor gives you a diagnosis (about 10 to 20% of the population deals with this in some degree) and a diet and waves his hand in dismissal and says "It's up to you now," the book takes over.About 2/3 of the book is recipes. For this reason I recommend the hard or soft cover editions. Do not download the e-book version to Kindle. It is mega-frustrating to try to follow a recipe in that Kindle--hard to browse, and when you find something, it take at least 5 0r 6 Kindle pages to follow the recipe. You'll find yourself madly flipping as you cook.About 10 to 15A% of the population suffers from some version of IBS..From Improved sufferer.This book is wonderful. It explains in simple, easy to read language what causes Irritable BowelSyndrome, and what you can do about it. The suggestions work well. Once the doctor hands you a diagnosis and a diet, waves his hand in dismissal and says, "It's up to you," this book takes over.About 2/3 of the book are recipes and diet suggestions to help you. For this reason, I recommend that you buy the hardcover or softcover book. Do not download the ebook version to the Kindle. It is mega frustrating to browse the Kindle for recipes, and when you find one, to cook from that recipe as it takes several Kindle pages to complete a recipe and you are flipping back and forth trying to follow the recipe.

I chose this rating because I really like the book and the ideas given by Ms. Scarlata and I needed a book to see what food I could eat with this IBS sydrome as the change in my eating and life was overwhelming.l I like how she lists the food to eat and the food triggers to avoid so I can have a good day without worrying about where the rest room is and spend half the day in there. Also, there are boxes of tips to the left of the paragraph with tips that are very interesting to know. Some of the recipes contain milk, and meat that has 85% lean beef which I find is too much for me. Also eggs give me trouble too. Many of the little windows in the book give alternatives to beef and lactose problem with other ideas. Very informative and helpful to anyone suffering from IBS as many doctors really don't give a diet for this problem or at least the list like she did in the book. I am very appreciative to Ms. Scarlata and thank her as it is my new food bible. IBS sufferers take note and enjoy this Eating Well with IBS.

This is a quick and easy introduction to IBS. Not a deep dive into research so if quick and easy is what you want this is a good choice. I'm a vegetarian so couldn't use all the meat, seafood recipes but there are good ones without meat/fish.

The book's first 6 chapters (Part 1) is informative to those who are new to understanding IBS and other digestive disorders. The tips given in the margins are valuable pearls of wisdom. The tables clearly list information about different types of foods so that you can make informed decisions about what to eat. Chapters 7-9 (Part 2) of the book gives helpful information on how to implement a diet that minimizes the likelihood of having food upset your digestive system. The remaining chapters 10-22 (Part 2) provides recipes. Although other reviews have criticized the amount of recipes, I found the abundance of them to be extremely helpful. Although I am an experienced cook, using new foods and taking a different approach to eating food has been challenging, so reading the recipes and seeing how these foods are used was enlightening.

I like the layout of the book, but there are no pictures for the recipes. The most confusing thing for those of us that find the fodmaps diet helpful is the use of ingredients that are off EVERY fodmaps friendly diet sheet - bread, snowpeas, avocados, mushrooms, garlic powder, onion powder, coffee and broccoli. Very strange.The fodmaps diet has really helped my ibs and if you would like to try it, take a look at patsy catsos - ibs free at last - and her website. Much better advice. She will be publishing a recipe book soon, cannot wait for it.

Some interesting looking recipes in the book and very clear to read. It arrived prompt and within the time stated.

I did not realise that the book would be 10 years old and medical science could have moved forward since it was published. If I had known I would not have bought it.

as advertised

I bought this book as one of my best books for a Vegan diet . A great read !! Yum