World first FODMAP Friendly food range launches – by Emma Stirling APD

When my dietitian friend and academic colleague, Dr Sue Shepherd, let me in on a little secret over coffee in our prac break. I knew it was going to be BIG. Very Big. And now it’s time to share the news. With an estimated 5 million Australians with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or non-coeliac gluten intolerance requiring a Low FODMAP diet, you’ll be wanting to share this news too.

Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Dr Sue Shepherd has devoted most of her career to developing ways in which people with food intolerances can eat a greater variety of foods with confidence. Firstly with her personal interest, Coeliac Disease, and then moving on to pioneering research and development of the LOW FODMAP diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  Read her full bio here and connect with her on the Sue Shepherd Foods facebook page.

What the FODMAP?
IBS is often triggered by FODMAPs – the acronym for a group of naturally occurring sugars found in foods that are not absorbed in the small bowel. People with IBS and non-coeliac gluten intolerance can benefit from the Low FODMAP Diet to manage troubling symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, excess wind and changes in bowel habits.

Sue’s enormous passion to raise awareness and increase the quality of life of people with special dietary needs has driven her to develop a range of resources including award winning cookbooks.  So it’s not really that surprising to see her launch the world first low FODMAP dedicated brand, opening a totally new category of foods.  Sue predicts, “The uptake of the Low FODMAP Diet will rival the growth we have seen in followers of the gluten free diet in coming years”.  And I agree.  Big time.

Foods high in FODMAPs include everyday foods such as onion, garlic, wheat, honey, apples, pears, and more. Suitable low FODMAP varieties of pasta sauces, stocks, soups and many other foods have been near impossible to find.  Until now.

Sue Shepherd’s new range
The range includes Slow Cooked Vegetable Stock, Red Wine & Italian Herbs Tomato Pasta Sauce, Slow Roasted Vegetables Tomato Pasta Sauce, Roasted Pumpkin + a Hint of Sage Soup, Lamb & Vegetable Soup, Paella Meal Kit and Green Curry Meal Kit. The entire range is gluten free, made without onion or garlic, and has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Find the range exclusively in the Coles health food section nationally from 5th May.  You can read more background on the Low FODMAP diet and the product development story here.

Huge congratulations Sue.  Knowing you, the taste will be divine and I can’t wait to road test. I love seeing a dietitian’s name on pack too.  What do you think lovely readers?  Do you have a question for Sue?

I also have a little secret that we can share soon too.  One that’s been cooking along with Jemma O’Hanlon, Teri Lichtenstein and Heidi Sze who are presenting at our Blogging Bootcamp workshop at the 31st Dietitians Association of Australia conference in Brisbane next week. Can you wait til Friday 16th?  Follow along with #DAA2014 and #dietitianblogs on Twitter.