If you have been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), you may have heard about the low-FODMAP diet as a potential treatment option. But what exactly is the low-FODMAP diet and how can it help with SIBO? What are FODMAPs? FODMAPs are a type of carbohydrate found in certain foods that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. They include fermentable oligosaccharides (such as fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides), disaccharides (such as lactose), monosaccharides (such as fructose), and polyols (such as sorbitol and xylitol). When these carbohydrates are n ..read more

Whipping up delicious and healthy holiday meals can be incredibly challenging when you have SIBO. I’ve been there and I know how frustrating it can be to find SIBO-friendly holiday recipes online. This is why I’ve rounded up some of my favourite dishes from my SIBO Holiday eCookbook. I want to help you have stress-free holidays by providing recipes that are SIBO-friendly, delicious and easy to make.  I've also taken traditional holiday recipes and put a SIBO twist on them so you can enjoy these gut-friendly meals knowing you’ll feel great after eating them. Delicious Starters and App ..read more

Dealing with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities can be daunting, especially if you have SIBO. You're already dealing with painful SIBO symptoms, so it's more frustrating and stressful when some of your favourite foods are suddenly off-limits too. I've been there myself. Before my SIBO diagnosis, I was reacting to an ever-increasing list of foods. Some days I was fine, but other days I responded terribly to the food I used to love. I never knew what I would react to, or how severely. I remember the common culprits then were gluten, dairy, and high fodmap foods. I know th ..read more

When it comes to dealing with SIBO, most of us are too focused on working on the main aspects like cause and treatments. As a result, we tend to overlook the critical lifestyle factors that play a massive role in our recovery. Choosing a lifestyle that supports your health is fundamental to your journey to living well with SIBO and avoiding relapse. Your lifestyle can help or hinder your journey back to health and influence how quickly you overcome your condition.  So it’s crucial to assess your daily habits and ask yourself, “Is my lifestyle helping me recover from SIBO or is it hinderin ..read more

Research has shown that the Elemental Diet is one of the most effective treatments for SIBO. Some patients experience up to 150 parts per million reductions in gas numbers after one round of treatment. A study also showed that it has an 80-84% success rate in eradicating SIBO. However, it’s important to remember that the Elemental Diet is not for everyone. This treatment may not be suitable for some people. It is very restrictive, you don’t eat anything for 14 to 21 days and it can be too overwhelming for some people. You also need to make sure that you are physically and mentally capable be ..read more

In the first Elemental Diet article, I reviewed what the Elemental Diet is, how to know if it’s suitable for you and what preparations you need to take before undertaking it as a treatment option. In this article, I give you some tips on how to cope with the Elemental Diet, how to consume it correctly and what signs you need to look out for while doing the treatment. Coping with the Elemental Diet Undergoing treatment for your SIBO can be difficult and overwhelming. When doing something as drastic as the Elemental Diet, you need to prepare yourself and develop a game plan to do it success ..read more

Eating for SIBO can be stressful and overwhelming at times. You have a lot of things going on - with your treatment, taking medications and managing your symptoms, it can be challenging to wrap your head around your new way of eating.  During the start of my SIBO journey, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to consume the typical meals I used to eat. But since I love cooking and creating recipes, this empowered me to look for the best way to make my journey a little bit easier. One thing I found really helpful was meal planning. Meal planning is the act of planning and l ..read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Aside from giving cards, letters, flowers or presents, this day is the perfect time to spend precious moments with the special people in our lives and enjoy delicious food.  However, when you have SIBO, occasions like this can be frustrating. Some of us feel overwhelmed at the thought of figuring out what we're going to eat. But as a SIBOer myself, I do not believe that a SIBO diagnosis should mean bland, boring food. You can still enjoy yummy desserts without the guilt.  If you need some help in creating your Valentine’s Day dessert menu ..read more

Having a chronic illness like SIBO can be frustrating and challenging. There are a lot of painful symptoms you have to deal with, and treating it is not a one-size-fits-all formula. Luckily, there are treatment options that will help you live well with SIBO and beyond. In this article, I discuss the three main treatment protocols (antibiotics, herbal antimicrobials and the Elemental Diet) you can undertake to help you manage your symptoms and prevent bacteria from overgrowing.   Best treatments for SIBO Once you get tested for SIBO, you will be able to identify whether you have hydrogen-d ..read more

In the second part of my Elemental Diet blog series, I shared with you some tips on how to cope with the treatment, how to consume it correctly and what signs you need to look out for. Now, let’s talk about how to come off the Elemental Diet and the things you need to consider before reintroducing foods.  Game plan for coming off the Elemental Diet Did you know that doing the Elemental Diet switches your gut off by approximately 80%? And it can actually take up to 6 weeks to fully reintroduce foods back into your diet after the treatment.  Think of it like a fire that has died ri ..read more