Customer Reviews

IBS--Free at Last!: A Revolutionary, New Step-by-Step Method for Those Who Have Tried Everything. Control IBS Symptoms by Limiting FODMAPS Carbohydrates in Your Diet.

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my search to understand my IBS and fibromyalgia diagnoses, this is one of the first things I've found that explains why my attempts to relieve symptoms by trying various elimination diets has had such mixed results. The author, who documents the current research, gets down to the nitty gritty in a readable fashion about the various fermentable sugars and how they can create havoc in the digestive system for some. The practical and healthy diet guide, along with the do and don't eat lists is much clearer than anything I've found in my web searching, and most importantly, she addresses the issue of PORTIONS. A bonus is a website where she answers questions. Given the huge number of websites and books out there, some promoting questionable diets and cures, and others only geared to medical professionals, it's a relief to find something so well researched and professional yet easy to "digest."

I've struggled with digestive symptoms for over five years, had numerous tests, went to the Mayo Clinic, etc. The medical community has offered few solutions related to diet, and so it is a joy to find a book that is based on the actual chemistry of foods. Though I had heard of lactose intolerance and celiac disease, the concept that several vegetables and fruits would be problematic was new to me or, if not new, difficult to believe. This author, a registered dietician, explains why healthy foods recommended by so many can prove debilitating to some people. Once I got a credible explanation, I could actually give the diet a try. Now, after adopting her approach, I've lessened my symptoms significantly. Since much of her work is based on work done by scientists in Australia and the UK, it's clear that research along this vein in the U.S. is far behind. Nonetheless, if you have failed to find relief through the standard IBS advice, try this. You very well may find your life less burdened by the chronic drag of IBS.

Shipping was great as usual with Amazon. Received w/in the time period I *paid* for.

There really seems to be something to these FODMAPS. The main value of this book was that it allowed me see some of the other aspects of food that may be affecting my bowel condition (IBD-Ulcerative Colitis). After reading this book, I started to question the role bacteria were playing in my gut; this led me to get a Bacterial Overgrowth test (normally only for IBS), which turned out to be positive and is now being treated to help deal with my colitis flare.

I mainly bought the book in the first place because it said it had food and grocery shopping lists, which it does, but they are not very elaborate lists, just basics- while there are just so many foods out there that one would need FODMAP info on. I actually obtained more FODMAP info for various foods just searching online and compiling my own spreadsheet for Raffinose, Lactose, Fructose, Sorbitol, Starches, Sulfur,Inulin/FOS, Caffeine, Soluble/Insoluble fiber, etc.

Overall I'm glad I bought this book because it contains more and useful information regarding what I think is becoming more and more of a problem for people across the globe- food intolerance due to consuming too many non-natural, lab created, modified, etc, food ingredients and preservatives.

I have been flailing about for years, trying to find out what was causing my gut so much grief! My dr. called it IBS (which I believe is doctor-speak for "I don't know what's bothering you, just stop bothering me!") and handed me a leaflet about increasing fiber and avoiding stress. No help there. I found my first relief with low-carb dieting, so I assumed that grains and sugar were the problem and eliminated them both, but issues continued. My DIY elimination diets were haphazard and the results were always conflicting and confusing. This diet addresses FODMAPS, the group containing five subgroups of carbohydrates at the root of much IBS. And it spells out in clear, easy-to-follow instructions what to eliminate and why and, most importantly, gives a road map for reintroducing them--a group at a time. It never would have occurred to me that wheat, onions, green beans, and pineapple(!) could have anything in common, but they all contain high levels of fructans, which are among the hardest of all carbs to digest. Along with that is fructose (yes, even the healthy fructose in fresh fruit), polyols, lactose, galactans.

If you are wondering why wheat (or fruit, or honey, or onions or . . . ) makes you feel bad one day, but not the next, and are beginning to think it is all in your head, try this book. Very practical and informative.

Readers should be aware that as of October 2011, the author says that many of food described as "allowed" in the book no longer are so. Unfortunately, you will not find this information in the book. Instead it's awkwardly spread across posts on the author's web blog. That's unfortunate for people who will follow the advice in the book and have poor results because the book isn't accurate, never realizing there are quite a few important addendums online. I do appreciate that the author keeps her web site updated, but you won't find a definitive, up-to-date list of allowed (and not-allowed) foods anywhere. I worry that this is intentional, because having these lists easily accessible and free would make the book sell less? I hope that's not the reason. Anyhow, I understand that research in this area is still somewhat evolving, but perhaps that is the best reason to keep this information on the web where it can be easily updated.

I did enjoy the brief chapter that clearly explained what each of the FODMAPs were, and how fructans comprise both fructo-oligiosaccharides and inulins (the relationships had been muddy in my mind). The author also seems to (as of October 2011) respond to some questions on her Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as comments left on the previously-mentioned blog. 2 stars for information and 1 star for effort.

I have been suffering with IBS for more than 30 years. I have been to doctors for this problem, even before I knew it was IBS, for at least 15 years. I saw internists, gastro-enterologists, specialists, had a colonoscopy, etc. No one could help me. No doctor had any real advice other than to increase my fiber intake. I also tried other solutions, such as special teas and peppermint tablets. I even gave up my beloved coffee for a while as one person recommended. None of this helped. In fact, my symptoms were getting worse.

Thankfully, I found this wonderful book. I read it cover to cover, and followed the regimen exactly as laid out. Amazingly, the first week on the elimination diet was miraculous. I had NO symptoms for the first time in 30 years almost immediately upon starting the diet. I had forgotten how it felt to be symptom free. There are very few books that are truly life changing. This is one such book.

Ms. Catsos explains the structural cause of IBS and what it going on with certain foods that create problems. She lays the groundwork quite thoroughly for what you will be doing in the elimination and challenge phase. There is an extensive shopping list along with recipes for the elimination diet. I had no trouble understanding the program as it was explained very clearly. Although you might be tempted to "cheat" while in the elimination and challenge phase, don't. You will be rewarded for your efforts. The book also makes clear that this diet does not work for 100% of the people, only 85%, which is still a hugely successful number.

This is the first and only time in my life that I have received information about my problem that has worked. As a bonus, I lost about 15 lbs. without even trying. I cannot speak highly enough about this book and the work that Ms. Catsos has done for IBS sufferers. I would recommend that anyone with IBS try the program presented in this book. I am finally "free at last" from IBS. Thank you Ms. Catsos!

I have been suffering with what the doctors have called IBS for my entire life...all 56 years of it!! I have been to a host of doctors; each of whom provided NO new information and NO coping mechanisms. This book has been a life changer. I stumbled onto this low FODMAPS diet concept while researching on the internet and I have been successfully working through it for over 4 weeks now. I can honestly say that this is the best I have ever felt for more than a few days at a time. The book is simple and easy to understand and the elimination diet is clearly explained and very easy to follow.

I have purchased this book for a lady friend of mine that was having big iisues with IBS. She tried many other methods but none worked. When she told me that a D-Xylose test she underwent showed low levels of absorption I thought this book may help. In the first 10 days of the elimination diet she had marked improvements.
The advantages of this book is that it lists allowed and nonallowed foods in details and in each category. More important it lists the additives that you should avoid and the ones that are ok to have so you can check against ingredients in the items you buy at the supermarket.The diet is restrictive somewhat especially as related to fruits.
It is worthwhile trying this approach if you have suspicion of specific sugar malabsorption.

The title says it all: "if you suffer with IBS and have tried everything, this is the book for you." I'm paraphrasing, but the title is a clincher for so many of us who can't figure out why we can eat a possibly trouble-causing food one day, and the next day you're in agony. The author, a registered dietitian, writes that her ears perked up at a conference upon hearing about the FODMAPS connection to chronic IBS. Thankfully, she took the ball and ran with it, with this book as the result.

I like that the author gets right to the point about fructose and other specific carbohydrates (collectively called FODMAPS) that cause chaos in the colon. Overall, the book is clear, direct and well-organized. Readers can get on track with the elimination diet pretty quickly. And the author gives enough advice to stay on track. The recipes are good, but too few.

There are a couple areas of the book I find problematic: first, while the author acknowledges there are foods that have are typically difficult, she does not caution the reader more strongly to not experiment with these problem foods while eliminating the FODMAPs from their diet. Her inclusion of corn in the dietary guidelines is pie-in-the-sky (pun intended) for most people with chronic IBS. Suggestions like this one indirectly imply that it's okay to eat corn. This flies in the face of the title since most people who have changed their diets to manage IBS probably have crossed corn off their safe foods list.

And why Cheerios for breakfast? Cheerios, besides being highly processed (another IBS no-no), contain wheat starch. Wheat is high in fructans and generally not tolerated by people with IBS. Slow-cooked oatmeal or 100% percent rye toast with almond butter would be possible choices.

The second issue is the large discrepancy in the "Foods to Avoid" list, particularly for vegetables versus what expert researchers caution against. The author says she based her book on the pioneering researchers on FODMAPS and IBS, but doesn't really offer a thorough explanation as to why she doesn't caution more strongly against the main vegetable culprits onions and garlic. Onions of many types (okay to cook with, but not to eat) are a big trigger for many. Garlic and onion are in so many prepared foods and recipes! It's great that there's allowed food lists, but since this is basically an elimination diet, lists with foods to avoid would be helpful since there are so many foods that should be avoided.

Any way, there's too much good that this book offers not to buy it, read it and to enjoy the benefits of avoiding the FODMAPs. However, it would pay to check out what's on Internet about FODMAPs and draw your own conclusions. When it comes to foods, IBS can be a highly individualized condition. It takes patience to experiment to find out what foods or food groups are triggers.

While you're at it, also check out the 2001 edition of "Self Help Way To Treat Colitis and Other IBS Conditions" by DeLamar Gibbons, an MD with Irritable Bowel Disease. His book may seem dated, but it offers a clear and in-depth explanation of the dilemma IBSers face with fructose, plus additional perspective what foods are safe to eat.

After thousands of dollars of medical testing and no answers, my wife found this book. Within days of beginning the recommended dietary changes, she began to feel much better. She no longer has problems with bloating, cramping, etc. and she has lost over 30 lbs in five months with no special exercise. Before, she was never able to lose weight, even with diet and exercise. The diet is very strict and her choices of food are somewhat limited, but for the relief, it is worth it to her.