"Healthy" is in the Eye of the Beholder and Other Disclaimers

"If those are healthy recipes, sign me up!"  Readers are psyched to have old favorites such as macaroni and cheese blessed by a dietitian!

Perhaps this would be a good time to offer some disclaimers: 

• We all need party foods or comfort foods sometimes, even if we're on a special diet. Clearly, it's an important concern! So,I have offered some low-FODMAPS party and comfort food recipes for your consideration, not that I would recommend them for everyday fare.
• When it comes to nutrition, "healthy" is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. By this, I mean that we all have unique diet and nutrition priorities, depending on our medical, family, genetic, diet and exercise histories. What appears to be healthy for one person may not be appropriate for the next, and vice versa. The recipes presented on this blog are designed for those whose highest dietary priority is reducing IBS symptoms due to intolerance of FODMAPS carbohydrates such as lactose, fructose, fructans, galactans and polyols. In the portion sizes suggested, these recipes will fill that bill.
• If, in addition to IBS, you have other medical diagnoses, take prescription medications or have other health issues such as over- or under-weight, you should consult a registered dietitian to assist in designing an appropriate diet. Do not diagnose yourself with IBS. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of IBS, consult your physician to rule out other serious medical conditions and to receive a proper diagnosis. This web site does not provide medical advice, and is not a subsitute for personal medical care provided by a qualified health care professional.

Updated 9/20/2011

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Comments

[Lynn]

Hi Patsy,

I am looking over the foods allowed on the elimination diet. There are some foods that I can't eat because of gluten intolerance and an allergy to casein. Sometimes it is really hard to satisfy my sweet tooth! I have found Trader Joe's dark chocolate bars containing only cocoa mass (whatever that is), sugar, cocoa powder, soy lecithin, and cocoa solids to fill the bill. One bar has 6 grams of fiber and 13 grams of sugar. Is one bar or 1/2 of a bar okay to eat on the elimination diet?

Thank you. Your answers to my questions are really helping me to figure things out.

[Patsy Catsos]

Truly, I wouldnt recommend it on the elimination phase. That is a substantial amount of fiber. I cant seem to ferret out the details of what kind of fiber is in cocoa, but knowing the reputation chocolate has for triggering IBS symptoms for many people I have to err on the side of caution.

[Nicole Dye]

I bought your book and just started the diet and am VERY excited of the possibility of finally feeling better! One obstacle that I'll have to overcome is chocolate. I can't find anywhere if chocolate is allowed? I found the below product and wondered if it would be "allowed"?

Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium, Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:
Sweet Ground Chocolate & Coca (Sugar, Cocoa [Processed with Alkali]Unsweetened Chocolate, Soy Lecithin [an Emulsifier]Vanilla)

[Patsy Catsos]

I guess I cant put off a blog post about chocolate any longer. Watch for one soon.