![]() Bananas are just one of many kinds of fruits, so why do we give them so much attention? For starters, bananas are different from the majority of fruits in that they are both starchy and sweet, and these qualities put bananas in a class of their own in terms of their versatility.
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![]() Protein is often a looming but unwarranted concern when it comes to vegan diets, and low-FODMAP vegan diets in particular. That's because many vegan diets rely heavily on legumes (beans, lentils, and peas), which are excellent sources of concentrated plant protein. Unfortunately, most legumes are high in FODMAPs and can cause digestive distress for people with irritable bowel syndrome. ![]() Sleep and IBS make for strange bedfellows. If you suffer from IBS, you no doubt know that a good night's sleep can make a world of difference in how well your digestive system functions the following day. A poor night's sleep, however, can have the complete opposite effect. And, of course, an overactive, underactive, or painful gut can disrupt sleep and make matters even worse. ![]() The human digestive tract contains both friendly (aka "good") and not-so-friendly (aka "bad") bacteria. Good bacteria improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and help increase the absorption of nutrients. Bad bacteria are commonly defined as pathogens, which means they may cause infection, make us sick, or even be deadly. ![]() When people talk about a vegan low-FODMAP diet, or really any low-FODMAP diet, the dialogue tends to revolve around which foods are off-limits. This can lead to the erroneous and flawed belief that avoiding high-FODMAP foods means permanently excluding many nutrient-dense and delicious ones and enduring a lifetime of misery, deprivation, and nutritional deficiencies. But how closely does that assumption align with reality? ![]() This hearty low-FODMAP stew is loaded with flavor, veggies, and protein. It's ideal to serve on a chilly day or whenever you're craving something warm and filling. Even better, once the minimal prep is done, you can have it on the table in about thirty minutes! I prefer to use jarred minced ginger to make the process go even faster. ![]() For some people, avoiding high-FODMAP foods doesn't provide complete relief of IBS symptoms. That's understandable, since IBS isn't yet curable and tends to be cyclic, with periods of greater stability and calm interspersed with flare-ups and times of symptom exacerbation. There often isn't any explanation for why the condition gets better or worse if a person's diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits haven't changed. It appears to just be the nature of the beast. ![]() Although pudding is a pleasurable comfort food any time of the year, it's especially welcome during the dark, cold, dreary days of winter when a little pick-me-up is needed. Chocolate, of course, makes everything more bearable. It increases the brain's level of serotonin, the "feel-good" brain chemical, which plays a major role in boosting mood and enhancing emotions, along with a slew of other health benefits. ![]() The beginning of a new year is when many people commit to making positive changes for the next twelve months. Sadly, those lofty promises often fizzle out in just a few weeks. Despite our noble intentions, our objectives may simply be unrealistic or out of our reach. Instead, if we focus on taking small steps toward our ultimate goal -- steps we can truly achieve -- it's possible we'll actually get to the finish line, or at least be a whole lot closer to it. ![]() Certain times of the year are more challenging than others when you're vegan and have a chronic digestive disorder. Holidays in particular can be difficult because not only do we typically have high hopes and expectations (often followed by disappointment), but we also may be surrounded by an abundance of food that doesn't meet our dietary needs. Most people want to please their hosts, friends, family, and coworkers and avoid disagreements, especially at holiday gatherings and celebrations, but vegans with IBS face more hurdles than others in accomplishing this. ![]() This recipe can be a life-saver when you don't feel much like cooking. It's simple to pull together with very little effort and gives everything it's added to a boost of flavor and protein. It's ideal to add to one-bowl dishes, such as the Bliss Bowls in Low-FODMAP and Vegan, and makes a great sandwich filling too. |
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