Podcast 155: The Truth About IBS, Anxiety, and Effectiveness of the Low FODMAP “Diet” with Kate Scarlata, RDN

A diagnosis of IBS can be a real pain in the a**! Seriously, IBS impacts 25-45 million people in the U.S. alone.

The treatments for IBS aren’t really that great. The low FODMAP protocol may not even work in about half the people who try them. Worse, if you dare consult “Dr. Google” you’ll find there is conflicting and extreme advice out there that can really throw you off mentally.

Today’s guest, bestselling author and gut health dietitian Kate Scarlata, explains why you shouldn’t rely on random food elimination for your IBS and she shares what to do instead.

Here’s a few items we cover:

• The links between IBS and anxiety.
• The fundamentals of the low FODMAPs diet as a treatment approach for IBS, and the reality that it may not work in about half the people who try it.
• Why “FODMAP Gentle” is a more flexible approach that can be better for people with anxiety and concerns about possible food-related IBS symptoms.
• Disordered eating and IBS connections.
  • Did you know 23-24% of people with GI conditions meet criteria for disordered eating patterns?
  • 13-19% of people in GI clinics meet criteria for ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)
• Gut directed hypnotherapy, mindfulness, meditation, and other approaches that can enhance anxiety relief and make IBS symptoms better.

Listen to Episode 155 here

About Kate

Kate Scarlata, RDN, LDN is a Boston-based dietitian with 30 years of experience. Kate’s expertise is in gastrointestinal disorders and food intolerance, with a particular focus on the application of the low FODMAP diet for functional gut disorders. She was awarded the Outstanding Massachusetts Dietitian Award and recognized as Boston’s Best Dietitian by Boston Magazine.

Kate is the author of numerous books and articles on digestive health topics including the New York Times Best Seller, The 21 Day Tummy Diet and her latest book, The Low FODMAP Diet Step by Step. Kate completed her postgraduate training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Public Health program at the University of Massachusetts. Kate has been an invited speaker to various scientific meetings nationally as well as internationally.

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Resources

For complimentary FODMAP resources for patients or clinicians, Kate has numerous free downloadable handouts under the FODMAP tab on her website. There are other clinician reproducible educational bundles in the Shop tab.

University of Michigan IBS research donation page

Podcast 153 – Help with Picky Eating, Is it ARFID? with Rebecca Thomas, RDN