A dietitian’s Top 7 recommended IBS Books

When it comes to learning about your IBS, there are numerous places to look, but IBS books can be a great place to start. 

You may not always have access to the Internet or find the amount of information available overwhelming. 

It is also difficult to know when information comes from a trustworthy source, as anyone can post false information online. 

Experts in their field write IBS books that not only have all the information you are looking for in one place but also include tried-and-tested tips and recipes.  

In this blog post, we will discuss how to know which books to choose from and our top favorite books for you to try.

Please note this blog post contains affiliate links.

How to choose a book

A quick Google search of IBS books will show you that there are a number of books to choose from, and knowing which ones are trustworthy can be tricky.

We recommend using the following tips when choosing an IBS book:

• Ensure a registered dietitian (RD) or medical doctor has written the book- excluding cookbooks

• Check the date the book was published. The older the book, the more likely it is to include information that is not up to date with current research. 
• Reliable books will reference or cite scientific evidence to support their advice
• Monash University or FODMAP-friendly stamps on books are reliable for cookbooks or low FODMAP books

A good book on IBS won’t necessarily address all of the above but try to find one that addresses as many of these points as possible.

Top 7 recommended IBS Books

1. Take Control of Your IBS: The step-by-step guide that actually works– by Kirsten Jackson RD

Published this year and shortlisted for the best Wellbeing Book for the 2024 Health and Wellbeing Awards, this book is brought to you by our very own Kirsten Jackson. 

Kirsten draws from scientific evidence and personal experience to create a book with fad-free, simple advice on managing your IBS.

Customers who have read the book rate it highly, stating that it is informative, easy to read, and includes practical tips. 

2. The Complete Low FODMAP Diet Plan: Relieve symptoms of IBS using a food-first approach – by Priya Tew RD

This lovely book is full of essential information for every beginner with IBS. This guide will help you understand what IBS is and explain the low FODMAP diet. 

The book includes:

– a comprehensive table of foods to avoid

– a detailed explanation of the three-stage process of restriction, reintroduction, and personalisation

– 75 delicious gut-friendly recipes. 

3. The 30 Plan: Why eating 30 plants a week will revolutionise your gut health– by Catherine Rabess RD

Gut health goes far beyond the stomach and this book shows how it is linked to your metabolism, brain, and body functions, and even to your mental wellbeing. 

The latest research shows that the best way to optimise gut health is to eat a diverse range of 30 plants a week and get 30g of fibre a day.

This book will help you achieve this goal by including 60 delicious recipes, and tonnes of practical tips on how to help you include fruits and vegetables into your diet!

4. Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS– by Kate Scarlata RD

Kate Scarlata’s newest book provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to those living with IBS. 

This book is a whole-body guide on:

– How to understand the mind-gut connection

– The impact of stress on your gut

– Easy to implement, symptom-specific solutions for your IBS

– Nutritious recipes to calm your belly and maximise your gut health

– How to make healthy food choices in a food-fear and weight-obsessed culture

– When to re-examine your symptoms with your doctor, how to identify IBS mimickers and much more.

5. Monash University Low FODMAP: The Cookbook– by Monash University

Monash University presents a simple, fresh, low FODMAP cookbook with recipes from around the world, designed by a team of dietitians and chefs. 

Not only does it provide 120 recipes, but includes guidance around:

• The 3 phases of the FODMAP diet
• FODMAP stacking – with the use of our new Monash “stacked cup” meal guide
• Vegetarian and vegan suggestions for the low FODMAP diet
• Healthy eating on a low FODMAP diet
• A low FODMAP pantry list

This book is available to buy in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and the UK. 

6. The Low FODMAP Diet Step-by-Step -by Kate Scarlata RD and Dede Wilson

This book contains everything from shopping lists to meal prep advice and thoroughly explains the three stages of the low FODMAP diet. 

They have packed in a whopping 130 recipes that have been rigorously tested and developed.

Recipes include stuffed Swiss chard, creamy root vegetable soup with gruyere croutons, and blondies with chocolate chunks and pecans. 

7. The FODMAP Friendly Kitchen– by Emma Hatcher 

Emma Hatcher has created a book containing 100 healthy and delicious low FODMAP recipes using easy-to-find ingredients.

One great merit of this book is that 86 of the recipes are vegetarian and, therefore, can appeal to a wider audience. 

The first 50 pages of the book break down the low FODMAP diet and include which low FODMAP ingredients Emma likes to have stocked in her cupboards. 

This may sound like a long introduction but is a testament to the thoroughness of her book.

Summary

We have outlined 7 amazing books to get you started on the quest for your next IBS book. 

When choosing an IBS book, remember to consider the author’s credentials and the year it was published.

You will unlikely find a book with absolutely everything you are looking for, so you may want to purchase a few of the recommended ones to cover gaps. 

Happy reading! 

Written by Stella Gordon, Student Dietitian, reviewed by Kirsten Jackson, Consultant Dietitian BSc Hons, RD, PG Cert