One of the most common myths about irritable bowel syndrome is that it's caused by stress. Let's set the record straight once and for all: stress doesn't cause irritable bowel syndrome or any other chronic functional digestive disorder. However, stress can affect almost anyone's mental and physical well-being, and it can certainly exacerbate ongoing IBS symptoms or trigger a flare-up. But in today's modern world, stress is a constant companion. Is there anything we can do to control or minimize it?

Planning a party? A potluck? A picnic? A simple gathering? It can be a challenge to come up with something savory to serve that's different, fun, enticing, and low in FODMAPs. If you're up for some culinary excitement and kitchen fun, this recipe is for you!

Frozen ripe bananas make thick, tasty smoothies, but they can also trigger symptoms in people with IBS. Is it possible to make an equally thick and creamy vegan smoothie without ripe bananas?

Nutritional yeast, often affectionately referred to as "nooch," is a magical ingredient in vegan cuisine. These golden-yellow flakes add richness, protein, and a nutty-cheesy taste that falls neatly into the realm of umami. Nooch is most commonly dusted over salads, pasta dishes, vegan pizza, scrambled tofu, and popcorn, but it also makes a fantastic flavoring for vegan broth and soup bases, cheesy sauces, homemade vegan cheeses, and savory sprinkles. It can stand in for the flavor of cheese in almost any recipe. It's so delicious, most cats and dogs love it as much as vegans do!

Research on the FODMAP content of food is constantly evolving, and today's findings may differ tomorrow. That's because the scientific methods used for testing FODMAPs are continually improving, affording greater sensitivity and accuracy. But perhaps even more important are changing environmental and agricultural factors that can greatly influence FODMAP levels in foods. 

Well, not totally. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also in your gut, of course. But recent research has revealed structural changes in the brains of people diagnosed with IBS that demonstrate an organic component to the disorder. This is huge, as it's the first time scientists have confirmed an association between the gut microbiota and the brain regions involved in processing the body's sensory information.

I've been having a rough time of it lately -- more bad days then good this past year -- in terms of my IBS. In fact, I clearly remember the last long stretch of relief I had because it's been such a rarity. It lasted for two blissful weeks. During that time, I felt certain that everything I was trying had finally started to come together. I was positive I had hit upon that elusive cure for IBS. And I felt spectacularly brilliant!​

Although vegan product options are rapidly expanding in the marketplace worldwide, manufactured food products that are safe for vegans with IBS still remain quite limited. 

A trip to the grocery store can often be a bummer when you're a vegan with IBS. It's not always easy to remember what is and isn't safe or what our particular triggers may be.

Please enjoy my interview with Daniel Davis on the Beyond 50 Radio Show. We delve into food fads, living with dietary restrictions, getting started on a low-FODMAP diet, coping with IBS, and my book Low-FODMAP and Vegan.