Do you struggle with uncomfortable gut issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation? With a correct diagnosis, chances are you might be struggling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). To help you manage these symptoms, you may need to follow a low FODMAP diet, and we have a guide to certified low FODMAP snack bars out in the market.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome & The FODMAP Diet
15% of the world’s population – 1 in 7 people – is affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is an umbrella diagnosis for a wide variety of conditions disrupting how we digest, assimilate, and absorb food. The Monash University Low FODMAP Diet is designed to reduce the symptoms of IBS, and it is a 100% individualized process.
Many of individuals with IBS are sensitive to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols or “FODMAPS.” FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates sugars that the small intestine absorbs poorly. The typical dietary prescription for an IBS patient is to follow a low-FODMAP diet. The diet can be hard to navigate due to the complexity of the diet concerning a wide variety of off limit foods or foods that can only be consumed in specific quantities. I sympathize with all that have embarked on their low–FODMAP journey, it can be hard to keep track of! That is why I love and appreciate FODY Foods and some of 88 Acres products!
Additionally, McDaniel Nutrition is Certified Low-FODMAP trained so our team of professionals can help individuals navigate their IBS and improve their overall quality of life by guiding them through the stages of the Low-FODMAP diet. If you’re looking for something more in-depth, we also offer a gut health program featuring one of our expert dietitians and a partner gastroenterologist.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Quinoa Snack Bar: How Many Stars?
FODY Foods is a brand specifically designed for those following a low-FODMAP diet. They ensure ingredients in their products and serving sizes of those ingredients fit the low-fodmaps criteria. You can enjoy condiments without the added garlic and onion. You can enjoy snack bars again without all the fillers and irritating fibers. These snack bars are actually a great source of low-FODMAP fibers to feed the good bacteria but not leave you with the uncomfortable bloat, inflammation, and trips (or lack of trips) to the bathroom. FODY bars are all Low-FODMAP certified, gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, non-GMO, gut friendly, and IBS-friendly. Plus, they are pretty darn tasty!
FODY low FODMAP snack bars include:
- Dark Chocolate Nuts and Sea Salt
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Quinoa
- Blueberry Almond
- Almond Coconut
Flavor: 5/5
I have tried all the FODY bars, and they ALL taste phenomenal. My personal favorite would be the Peanut Butter Chocolate Quinoa. That mix of salty and sweet flavor is my jam so they were a thumbs up for me! The nuts and quinoa pack a good crunch. The texture is somewhat chewy as well. The substitution of oats for quinoa really intrigued me to try this flavor and I now can honestly say I wish other bars would make the same substitution.
Nutrient Density: 4/5
Nutritionally speaking, I would highly recommend this bar because it only has 4 grams of added sugar, provides 3 grams of fiber, is low in sodium, has a balance of fats, carbohydrates, and protein, and is made with identifiable ingredients. It’s the perfect snack to have when a sweet craving hits because it is less likely to spike your blood sugar like other highly processed snack bars can do. This bar will actually provide the body with nourishment and sustained energy.
Value: 5/5
You can get a box of 4 for 5.99 that’s $1.50 per bar which makes this a responsible product!
Total Score: 4/ 5
Where To Find It:
Whole Foods, Amazon, or directly from FODY’s website.
How We Enjoyed It:
Eat it on the go, before or after a workout, crumble it on top of yogurt for a healthy granola alternative, or (my personal favorite) pair it with a cup of peppermint tea as a satisfying night-time dessert.
Cinnamon Maple Seed & Oats Seed Bars: How Many Stars?
Another delicious low-fodmap nutritious snack bar brand is 88 acres! These bars are great for those who have a nut allergy or sensitivity in conjunction with IBS. The difference is that these bars are made with seeds which are highly nutritious and allergen-free. My personal favorite is the Cinnamon Maple & Oats Seed Bars.
Certified Low-Fodmap flavors:
- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bar
- Cinnamon Maple Seed & Oats Seed Bars
Flavor: 5/5
This flavor is very comforting and warming. The texture is slightly chewy and crunchy! It also has a very strong maple taste.
Nutrient Density: 4/5
As with the FODY bars, I appreciate 88 Acres’ brand because they use clean ingredients, are low in added sugar, are a great source of fiber (3 grams!), and provide a balance of fat, protein, and carbs. The majority of macronutrients comes from the whole food sources such as seeds and oats. Additionally, one Cinnamon Maple Seed & Oats Seed bar provides 2 mg of iron (that’s 10% of your daily iron needs)!
Value: 4/5
You can buy 1 bar for $1.79 at Whole foods. I personally believe
Total Score: 4/ 5
Where To Find It:
Whole Foods, Amazon, or directly from 88 Acre’s website.
How We Enjoyed It:
This is a great bar to keep in your purse or bag on the go! It does not melt like some other brands do. Cheers to no bloating!
Check out the chart below to help you find your new favorite low FODMAP snack bars!
Did you know that McDaniel Nutrition is Certified Low-FODMAP trained? Our team of professionals can help individuals navigate their IBS and improve their overall quality of life by guiding them through the stages of the Low-FODMAP diet. Click here to book your appointment today.
We hope you are enjoying our McDaniel’s Bite-Sized Reviews series as much as we are! This is a series dedicated to testing out products in the market and giving our honest, expert review so you know exactly what to look for next time you’re at the grocery store. Let us know what products you would like us to review in the future! FYI – these posts aren’t sponsored. They are opinions of unpaid tastebuds.