If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) then you know how beneficial the low-FODMAP diet can be. Since it’s a restrictive diet, there are a lot of foods that need to be cut out. However, it’s not always easy figuring out what to eat because a lot of foods have hidden ingredients. Having a low-FODMAP cookbook can help you ensure that you’re following the strict diet protocol. Here are seven great low-FODMAP diet cookbooks that can get you and keep you on the right track.
1. Low-Fodmap 28-Day Plan: A Healthy Cookbook with Gut-Friendly Recipes for IBS Relief
Written by Kate Scarlata, a registered dietician with over 25 years of experience, this low-FODMAP cook book features meals for all times of the day–breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. It has over 100 recipes as well as full-color photographs that you can use for reference.
A large majority of the recipes are things like salads, smoothies, and sauces. This means that there really aren’t that many recipes for “meals”. One other thing we should mention is that the actual “meal” recipes are a bit extensive. You’re going to be doing some serious cooking. If you’re looking for quick meals, choose a different book. However, if you don’t mind throwing down in the kitchen, this is a great cookbook to try.
2. The Low-FODMAP Diet for Beginners: A 7-Day Plan to Beat Bloat and Soothe Your Gut with Recipes for Fast IBS Relief
This cookbook was written by Mollie Tunitsky, a chef, baker, and food blogger, and by Gabriella Gardner, a registered dietician nutritionist. These are two people who know food so you can rest assured that you’re getting good advice.
To say this is a seven day plan book, they certainly have included a lot of recipes. There are recipes for every meal time of the day with some recipes being very simple and some a bit more complex. The full color photos are amazing and the book has a very thorough description of what low FODMAP is. It’s a convenient, all-in-one solution.
3. The Low-FODMAP Diet Step by Step: A Personalized Plan to Relieve the Symptoms of IBS and Other Digestive Disorders–with More Than 130 Deliciously Satisfying Recipes
This is another cook book from author Kate Scarlata. Dede Wilson, a professional food writer, co-authored the book. This is a great guide to thoroughly understand low-FODMAP as a big chunk of the book is dedicated to it’s explanation.
The recipes are very varied and the big difference between this book and Scarlata’s first book we mentioned is that this one has “one pot” recipes. So here you get some recipes that you can create quickly and easily if you don’t want to spend a bunch of time in the kitchen.
4. The Complete Low-FODMAP Diet: A Revolutionary Plan for Managing IBS and Other Digestive Disorders
This book was written by Sue Shephard, a registered dietician and nutritionist, and by Peter Gibson, a professor and the Director of Gastroenterology at The Alfred and Monash University. Sue Shephard was one of the creators of the low-FODMAP diet, so using a cook book from an “original” source could be very beneficial.
This isn’t just a cook book. It’s a complete, detailed guide about living with IBS and other gastrointestinal conditions. It thoroughly explains the benefits of the low-FODMAP diet and also gives you the information you need to create a plan for yourself. This is probably one of the most comprehensive low-FODMAP cook books you can find.
5. Healthy Gut, Flat Stomach: The Fast and Easy Low-FODMAP Diet Plan
Written by registered dietician Danielle Capalino, this book isn’t just a cook book, but more of a guide to get through a low-FODMAP plan. There are great recipes and amazing color photographs that will probably make you hungry! While there aren’t as many recipes as in other books, this book might be a bit more motivational than others so there is a little bit of a trade-off.
One of the most impressive parts of the book is the section dedicated to eating out on a low-FODMAP diet. Capalino gives great advice about ensuring that your dining out experience can be as pleasant as possible. This helps to keep a sense of normalcy in your life as you participate in the low-FODMAP diet.
6. The Low-FODMAP Cookbook: 100 Delicious, Gut-Friendly Recipes for IBS and other Digestive Disorders
Diane Benjamin is a food blogger and a person who lives with IBS. She’s created this cook book based on experience. Unlike most of the books on this list, this one is really more of a cook book than anything. This makes sense because Benjamin is not a doctor, but here recipes are really good and can help keep you on the right track.
If you are looking for a complete low-FODMAP guide, this book may not be for you. There are simple tips and advice, but we appreciate the fact that Benjamin didn’t overstep her position as a blogger. Use this book to add to your collection of recipes.
7. The Everything Guide To The Low-FODMAP Diet: A Healthy Plan for Managing IBS and Other Digestive Disorders
Most people are familiar with The Everything Guide series of books. This particular one about the low-FODMAP diet was written by Barbara Bolen, a clinical psychologist and Kathleen Bradley, a registered dietician. This is probably one of the most comprehensive guides you’ll find on the low-FODMAP diet (because The Everything Guide books are always comprehensive as the name suggests).
They give you all the information you need to know about dealing with IBS and other similar conditions. There are also 150 amazing recipes that you can use while on the low-FODMAP diet. This is one of the best books out there.
Conclusion
Any of these books would be great cook books for you to add to your low-FODMAP recipe collections. They all have easy to follow instructions, great color photographs, and healthy meals. Many of them also have a great amount of information about IBS and other digestive conditions.
If you are looking for more than just a cook book, our recommendation is to choose a book written by a medical professional for the most accurate advice. They will not only know the diseases in and out, but they have the training you need and can actually give medical advice that goes along with a low-FODMAP diet. However, if you already have a great doctor, then just enjoy these yummy recipes!
More articles about FODMAPS
- The Complete Low FODMAP Food List (+ Free Printable PDF)
- 7-Day Low FODMAP Diet Meal Plan & Menu
- How to Gain Weight When You Have IBS
- 11 Risky Foods to Avoid if You Have IBS