When Food Fights Back: IBS, FODMAP, and Finding Relief

Stomach issues aren’t just uncomfortable—they can steal your joy, disrupt your plans, and leave you feeling like food is the enemy. In this episode of Healthy Living, Happy Midlife, Denise shares her personal journey with IBS, her mom’s struggles, and how the low FODMAP diet became a turning point in restoring confidence and peace around food. We’ll explore: Why IBS symptoms can feel worse during menopause What FODMAPs are and why they matter The three-step process of the low FODMAP diet How your gut can adapt and heal over time The hopeful truth: food can become joyful again Whether you’ve struggled with IBS for years or you’re noticing digestive issues popping up in midlife, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and actionable insights. Key Takeaways IBS and Midlife Are Closely Linked Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can amplify digestive issues like bloating, cramping, and irregularity. Even women who never had stomach problems before may suddenly find themselves struggling during this life stage. The Low FODMAP Diet Is a Tool—Not a Life Sentence FODMAPs are fermentable carbs found in many otherwise healthy foods. For people with IBS, they can trigger pain and discomfort. A low FODMAP diet uses a three-step process—elimination, reintroduction, personalization—to identify which foods are problematic while keeping as many nutrient-rich foods as possible. Your Gut Is Adaptable IBS doesn’t mean you have to fear food forever. With awareness, personalized nutrition, and lifestyle changes, your gut can be retrained to handle more foods over time—restoring not only comfort but also joy and freedom around eating. ✨ Call to Action: Have you struggled with gut issues during midlife? Let’s connect. https://connect2denise.org/register-now