Support & Compassion for those with IBS (and Give-a-way!)

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It’s not fun having tummy trouble and sometimes you could use a helping hand.

Today’s post is all about how a friend or family member can provide a little support to their favorite someone that is suffering  with IBS/SIBO.  If you are reading this and suffer with SIBO or IBS, perhaps send this post off to your family or friends. 🙂

Or maybe it will provide you some inspiration when someone asks, “What can I do for you?”

Suggest Non-Food Related Outings

So many of life’s adventures and events involve food. Many people with digestive issues feel isolated or excluded because they can’t always partake in many of the food items offered at events such as brunch, dinner, and/or cocktail parties. Try to plan a non-food related event or outing to focus on your shared time together. How about going for a walk, taking a yoga class, or going for a bike ride? A trip to the movies, a museum, window shopping, to a bookstore, or to a comedy or theatrical show are other fun options. An event that incorporates a little self care, fun and down time is always welcomed.

Bake or Cook 

Making low FODMAP treats and meals can be time consuming. Particularly when there are often other family meals to prepare as well.  It can be a special treat when a friend or family member makes something that can be enjoyed without any effort. A pot of low FODMAP soup or a plate of low FODMAP cookies. A few dark chocolate dipped strawberries can make any FODMAPer glad you are in their life!

Mail a letter

Very few people get a handwritten letter these days.  That’s why a “just thinking of you” card is all the more special! Send a card or uplifting funny note to your favorite FODMAPer. Simply hearing,  “I know what you are going through is hard right now and I just wanted to let you know that I’m here to support you.”… can make a person feel the love.

Send a Care Package

Send a care package!  How about sending a Fody Foods Kate box? BONUS: Fody Foods is donating 25% of all proceeds from April Kate Box sales to IBS research. How great is that? Other delicious items that might work in a care package: 88 acres dark chocolate & sea salt bars, Happy Bars, Tea (peppermint, green) Simply Gum, Barney butter almond butter snack packs, or Case de Sante artisan granola.  BONUS: Case De Sante is donating 10% of their April gross profits to IBS research!

Non food related items are nice too –lavender soap, jewelry, bath salts, a new book, music, a framed inspirational quote. And… you don’t always have to ship a care package, an in person delivery is nice too!

Simply bringing a beautiful flower bouquet can brighten someone’s day too.

Offer to help

Asking what you can do to help, can mean so much. Sometimes in the thick of dealing with health issues it really is the little things that can be so helpful. When you are dealing with health issues, especially a chronic health issue, you can feel utterly exhausted. Just a few questions can mean the world:   How can I make your life easier? What can I help you with today? Can I help with the laundry, pick up takeout for the rest of the family, plan a meal, stop at the store (friends and family might considering purchasing  my new app, low FODMAP Grocery Guide  (just $1.99), which will help guide them in selecting low FODMAP foods at the grocery store. BONUS: all proceeds of app go toward the creation of patient and health professional educational resources.

Listen

Remember that your friend or family member is sick and trying to get healthy.  But they are so much more than that. Allow them to talk about their health or maybe not talk about their health.

If you are prepping a meal for a FODMAPer here are a few of my favorite recipes you might consider. Many can be quickly re-heated for an easy meal.

Breakfast Idea: Mini Crustless Quiches

Snack Ideas: Dark Chocolate Seed and Nut Dipped Rice Cakes, Fody foods bars &  88 Acres dark chocolate and sea salt bars.

Lunch Idea: Low FODMAP Chicken and Rice with Turmeric 

Drink Ideas: Teas (peppermint, white, green, ginger), seltzer, fruit and herbed infused water (add slice lemons & mint).

Dinner Ideas: Low FODMAP Chicken Curry , Shrimp Cakes with Lime Chili Aioli

Dessert Ideas: Frosted Two Bite Low FODMAP Brownies

We are just one week into IBS Awareness Month and I want to thank you for all of you that have donated to research, posted your story or an inspirational quote on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

Join us in our #IBelieveinyourStory campaign. Let’s make sure people hear us!  You are not alone.  We are up to 70 #IBelieveinyourStory public posts on Instagram!

If you haven’t posted a picture, please consider doing so. Just remember to use the hashtag, #IBelieveinyourStory when you do.

To see all the pictures on Instagram, simple enter the hashtag, IBelieveinyourStory in the search option under ‘Tags’.

I have received countless letters from IBS sufferers telling me that the pictures and posts make them feel supported and provide hope. And, my friends, that was the intention. It takes a village…but know when you use the #IBelieveinyourStory hashtag…many people out there ARE listening, watching and appreciating.

AND finally, as part of our IBS Awareness month, 88 Acres will give a way a box of their delicious Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt bars to one lucky winner.  These bars are sooooo good!  For a chance to win, please leave a comment on how you have been sharing the #IBelieveinyourStory campaign hashtag to raise awareness for IBS and SIBO.

17 replies on “Support & Compassion for those with IBS (and Give-a-way!)“

  • Margaret VanDyke

    Hi Kate, I posted a question the other day and think it got lost.. should pasta made of red lentil flour be portioned as if it were lentils or can one eat more of it? Hope you can reply as I don’t want to screw up. Thanks so much!

  • Beth Rosen

    Wonderful post, Kate! I see so many clients who tell me that people (including their doctors) don’t believe their stories. To have even one person do one of the things on this list would mean the world to someone with gut health issues. Personally, when a friend provides a dessert that I can eat at a dinner party, it makes me feel loved and supported. Thanks for sharing these tips!

  • Liz

    I posted a picture on Facebook of my very bloated tummy (during a bad spell) so that others would have a better idea of what I go through with SIBO. I had a friend last night come up to me and say “I had no idea this is what you were dealing with!” It really opened her eyes. Hopefully others had the same reaction (and it seems so from all the comments). I’d love to try those 88 Acres bars!!

  • Vivian Lewis

    I have been following the hashtag #IBelieveinyourStory campaign and think that I will share this post as it will definitely help those with IBS and even others with a chronic illness that overtakes many aspects of their lives. Thanks for helping provide a solution and comfort until then!

  • Laury Hunt

    I appreciate your mentioning again how so many social/holiday events are centered on food/meals. I do pretty well preparing foods that are appealing to family members/guests and fit into the FODMAP guidelines when I’m hosting. However, even with my own family I feel I’m burdening them with my diet. I’d rather come after a meal or bring something I can eat and maybe just sample a bite of things they offer. The few restaurants I frequent, I know I can find something, but it’s still a challenge to go to many of the newer restaurants that seem to be competing to come up with the fanciest presentations – which often end up having high FODMAP ingredients that are hard to eliminate from the dish. My daughter and her husband are fond of going out to brunch in Boston. I’ve been finding that many of the dishes are pre-made (frittatas, quiches, etc.) and if you’re trying to limit gluten, avoid dairy, onions and garlic, you can be up the proverbial creek!

  • Lisa J

    Fantastic post! Nearly daily I’ve been submitting pictures and info about IBS under the tag #IBelieveInYourStory to Intagagram and Facebook. Today I posted this blog entry to Facebook

  • Jordan G

    I have been sharing my story this month by realizing I can be open and honest about my IBS condition! I also have realized that it is important to embrace the challenges and not give up. If I don’t share my story then I have to figure everything out on my own (impossible!). I am going to share #IBelieveinyourStory on instagram/facebook also, I just need to go for it!

  • Megan King

    I posted a graphic on instagram to raise awareness for IBS and share hope with others. I used #IBelieveinyourStory to make sure my post appeared in the campaign. I would be so grateful to try the 88 acres bars!

  • Nikki

    I’m new to the FODMAP diet and still trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. Completely overwhelmed. And barely eating…making my grocery list as I write this and finally feel like I can do this….Thank you.

    • katescarlata

      You definitely can do this, Nikki! Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the low FODMAP diet is very normal. Take a deep breath and do the best you can —your knowledge will increase quickly!

  • Ellen

    I have been sharing my story! I also posted the #IBELIEVEYOURSTORY. I would love to win the box of Fody bars, I haven’t had a chance to try them!

  • Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy

    I’ve been sharing my story and it helps to realize that I’m not the only one. Often IBS and SIBO can be very isolating due to symptoms and dietary constrictions but know others can relate is helpful. I’ve not yet tried those bars and would love to win 🙂

  • Marge

    I am going to share the #IBELIEVEYOURSTORY with my friend that I know has IBS and have been sharing my story. Other people need to know they are not alone. That has always been the worst part of this for me. Please give me the opportunity to win the box of 88 Acres bars. They sound delicious and I deserve something to snack on that is low fodmap and tasty too. Thank you!

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