Diabetes and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Jef L'Ecuyer November 4, 2015 Chronic Inflammation, Diabetes, FODMAP, IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Diabetes and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are two diseases that are extremely prevalent in the western world. If you or a loved one suffer from these two diseases, the below tips will help you follow the low FODMAP diet while also keeping your diabetes in check.

Although there is no link between the incidence of diabetes and that of IBS, a suitable diet will lead to better management of these two conditions. In both cases, special attention should be paid to carbohydrates, with regard both to the amount and to the quality and type of carbohydrates consumed. You might think that the solution is to avoid carbohydrates completely, but it is unfortunately not so simple. Carbohydrates play a crucial role in supplying energy to the brain and the rest of the body. This is why it is important to eat some during every meal, in reasonable amounts of course.

How do you eat well when you have diabetes and IBS? Here’s the answer you’ve been looking for:

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

• Eat at least 2 servings of low FODMAP* fruits and 4 servings of low FODMAP* vegetables per day (to know what a serving is, refer to Canada’s Food Guide.
• Go for fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than juices or dried fruit. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain more fibre than juices and are also more satisfying. Dried fruits are more concentrated in sugars and can more readily have an effect on blood sugar.

Examples of low FODMAP fruits and vegetables and serving size

• 2 clementines
• ½ cup berries
• 1 small banana
• ½ cup melon

*FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that are partly responsible for causing symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For more info, read this article.

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Author

Jef L'Ecuyer

Member of the Quebec College of Dietitians (ODNQ) and Dietitians of Canada,Jef graduated from McGill University in December 2014. Recently graduated and passionate about culinary arts, Jef poses a simple, effective and practical look at daily meal planning. With this in mind, she works in conjunction with the mission of SOSCuisine...