What is IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a medical term used to describe a collection of gut symptoms. Symptoms can vary in severity from one person to another, and it may be constipation or diarrhoea dominant, or a combination of both. When should I consider being Assessed for IBS? An IBS assessment should be considered if you have had any of the following symptoms for at least six months: abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, or change in bowel habit. A diagnosis of IBS should be considered only if there is abdominal pain or discomfort that is either relieved by defaecation or associ ..read more

Losing weight does not have to involve an extreme overhaul of every element of your current lifestyle. In fact, making gradual and manageable changes has been found to be much more effective for sustaining weight loss in the long run. Try out these five easy swaps to get you started on your weight loss journey! 1. Swap the lift for the stairs  Moving more in general in addition to exercise can be helpful with weight loss.  You could also try parking the car further away from the entrance or getting off the bus 1 or 2 stops early. All these little chunks of extra movement then add up ..read more

Did you know, approximately 75% of the human body is made up of water? Considering this, it is crucial for our health and wellbeing that we drink enough water to keep our bodies hydrated. Fluids have many important functions in the body, including lubricating the joints, transporting nutrients in the blood, and also removing waste products through urine. For optimal health, you should aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day (around 1.5 to 2 litres), however sometimes it can be tricky to hit this goal. Our Dietitian Hollie Corrigan is here to provide some helpful tips for boosting hydrati ..read more

Healthy Eating During Ramadan Ramadan takes place this year from the evening of Sunday, 10 March until Tuesday, 9th April. Ramadan is a holy time for Muslims around the world during which fasting from sunrise to sunset is a requirement for most (but not all) Muslims. Fasting during Ramadan allows Muslims to reflect, practice empathy and connect with their religion.   There are specific foods like dates and samosas that are traditionally eaten during Ramadan for religious and cultural reasons. However, it is still important to meet your body’s nutritional needs during Ramadan while al ..read more

Tips For Managing Obesity - World Obesity Day The WHO defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk”. Obesity has been associated with increased risks of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and a recent HSE health survey reporting that 60% adults in Ireland are currently overweight or obese.   Currently, body mass index (BMI) - a measure of a person’s weight relative to their height - is used to diagnose obesity. A BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy, 25-30 is considered overweight, while 30+ is considered obese.  However, it ..read more

Endometriosis & Nutrition March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and our Registered Dietitian Niamh Kelly is here to share her expert advice on how to optimise your nutrition to help manage and reduce the symptoms of endometriosis, a condition which affects approximately 1 in 10 women and those assigned female of birth. Endometriosis is a condition defined by the presence of endometrium-like tissue located outside the womb. Women living with endometriosis may suffer with ongoing pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, among other symptoms including;  Infertility   Fatigue &n ..read more

Many children and young people go through phases of fussy eating, refusing meals and just being more picky with food in general. The term ‘fussy eater’ is often used but is not always a helpful description as it tends to minimise the very real challenges that some children and families can face when it comes to mealtimes. The Reality of Fussy Eating ‘Fussy eating’ is very common, with up to one third of children at the age of 2 years who could be described as fussy eaters. From the age of 18 months, fussier eating patterns can begin to emerge. Children can become worried about tryin ..read more

When trying to lose weight, people often report increased hunger. This can be difficult to manage when trying to eat in a calorie deficit. Here are some tips to manage hunger so that you can feel fuller for longer while losing weight.  1. Eat breakfast  People live such busy lives that they often don’t prioritise breakfast and end up skipping it. This can lead to delayed hunger later in the day meaning people choose larger portion sizes at later meals or snack more. Aiming to have a balanced breakfast containing protein e.g. eggs, low fat yoghurt, smoked salmon or turkey sausages wi ..read more

Acid reflux is caused by acid in the stomach which travels up towards the throat. People often describe this feeling as heartburn, and it can be quite an unpleasant experience. Here are some diet and lifestyle tips to help you manage and reduce instances of heartburn: Don’t skip meals  Leaving long gaps between meals can make heartburn worse. If you are going more than 4 hours between meals, try and have a healthy snack in between.   Limit coffee Coffee (even decaf) is acidic which can trigger heartburn. Try cutting down and choosing herbal teas instead.   Try no ..read more

The festive season is truly in full swing, and so too is the consumption of the many Christmas goodies that we all love - the chocolates, mince pies, Christmas cake, and delicious festive meals and drinks out with friends, to name a few. It’s so important to remember that these foods should be enjoyed at Christmas, and there should not be any stress or guilt attached to having some higher calorie foods or eating a little more than usual at this time of year. It’s important to enjoy and savour the foods you get to eat at Christmas time, and the quality time spent with friends and family that g ..read more