I recently did some posts on FODMAPs and how they can affect those with certain tummy problems. Be aware of salad dressings if FODMAPs are a problem for you. FODMAPs are in almost all salad dressings! You may want to use olive oil and red or white wine vinegars as all three are FODMAP free.
Are you one of those people who can't remember where you put your glasses, keys, etc? As we age, it is a fact that our brains shrink and unfortunately a smaller brain just doesn't work as well as we would like. Neurologist Majid T. Fotuhi, M.D., author of Boost Your Brain: The New Art and Science Behind Enhanced Brain Performance, says not to worry. He says the brain has the remarkable ability to keep growing at any age. But here is the catch - you have to have the right health habits if you want your brain to grow.
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Would you believe studies have shown that Americans are meeting their dietary guidelines? That's right but here is the bad news, that's only on average about 1 week out of the year. That leaves 51 weeks when we aren't usually meeting those guidelines. It is a well known fact that supplements and vitamins cannot replace a good healthy diet. However, if you aren't eating properly and find it hard to get your diet on track ask your doctor if you should be taking vitamins or supplements. Don't waste your money on these products if you don't need them. Your doctor is the one to give you advice.
The answer to our title question is no! It is important to know that all FODMAPs are carbs but not all carbs contain FODMAPs. Basically FODMAPs fall into four categories:
OLIGOSACCHARIDES - Found in such common foods as wheat, rye, okra, watermelon, pasta, onions and garlic. That is a partial list.
GALECTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES - Found in such common foods as lentils, pinto beans, kidney beans, peas. Again, this is a partial list.
DISACCHARIDES (lactose) - Found in the milk of cows, sheep, and goats, soft cheeses ( cottage and ricotta), sour cream. Again, a partial list.
POLYOYS - Found in Xylitol, sorbitol, isomalt, apples, celery, peaches, pears, avocados, blackberries, cauliflower. Again, a partial list.
The above foods are partial lists listed to show you how common the foods containing FODMAPS are. Everyone is different. There may be one food or several that can trigger abdominal distress in a person. If you suffer from abdominal distress you may want to try eliminating certain foods to see if that eases your symptoms. If you are under a doctor's care for your symptoms, I suggest you work with them or at least discuss with them.
If you suffer from any type of digestive issues you are undoubtedly familiar with some or perhaps all of the following: gas, bloating, swollen belly, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation and pain. Some people have mild symptoms while others have symptoms so severe they isolate themselves socially and often suffer depression. Help is available often through medications and one can almost always help themselves through their diet. Since the 1990s ongoing research has suggested that FODMAPs could be the culprit. FODMAPS, certain short-chain carbs, are more fully described in my post a couple or so days ago. There is also a picture with that post of some low FODMAP and some high FODMAP foods. Unfortunately, FODMAPs are found in many of the foods we eat on a daily basis. My next post will offer ways to help sufferers ease their symptoms. In the meantime, below is a listing of low to high FODMAP sugars and sweeteners.
FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. If you suffer from digestives issues you may have heard the term as some try a FODMAP diet. FODMAPs are carbs that absorb water in the small intestine and pass through the large intestine where they quickly ferment as naturally occurring gut bacteria eat them. The process releases gas that along with excess water can cause abdominal discomfort or pain. We will go into this further in future post.
My husband is an invalid due mostly to COPD so I am always looking for ways to help him breathe easier. His disease is advanced but there are still small ways to help him. I had always blamed years of smoking for his disease, which is true, but I never really considered his diet. I discovered that diets high in processed foods can impair the lungs. My husband has always preferred processed foods over fruits and vegetables and changing his mind at age 74 is not easy. Diets that lean heavily on fruits and vegetables not only reduce the risks of COPD but can improve the respiratory system in those who have it. I'm working on this with my husband and I hope this information will help you eat to protect your lungs.
Even in 2021 with all we know about the dangers of smoking, almost 40 million American adults still smoke cigarettes. In addition to that approximately 4.7 million students say they use at least one tobacco product weekly and that includes e-cigarettes. This is not good when you consider the damage this does to lungs. Lungs are vital to life. We all know we need a brain and heart to live but without the lungs we are also in trouble. If you are one of the above statistics it would be to your advantage to stop using tobacco products. Your doctor is a good place to go for help. You can also visit smokefree.gov for helpful information.
Do you know how many bones are in each of your feet? The number might surprise you! Each of your feet have 26 bones, both large and small ones. Would you believe that almost one-fourth of the body's bones are found in the feet? One of the easy way to take good care of your feet is to wear sturdy shoes that fit well.
