Receta IBS friendly Chocolate Macaroons
I have several close friends who’ve suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcerative colitis (UC) for years. My one friend couldn’t leave home when she had a flare up, because she didn’t want to be too far from the bathroom. Another friend was hospitalized with UC and couldn’t eat anything but French fries for months as it was the only thing that agreed with her.
Living serious GI issue like UC or IBS can make meal planning for the entire family a stressful chore as those of us with food sensitivities and food allergies can attest to! The trick is making delicious food that everyone will enjoy but that won’t cause problems for someone with UC or IBS. That’s why the folks at VSL#3®, a high potency probiotic medical food that is clinically proven in the dietary management of IBS, ulcerative colitis (UC) and ileal pouch, have asked me to prepare a recipe from their IBS-friendly recipes page.
But first a little education!
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a serious GI issue that affects the large intestine (colon) and commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Up to 20 percent of U.S. adults have IBS symptoms. More women than men are diagnosed with IBS but many never seek medical help for it. There is no known cure.
Did you know that children can get IBS? IBS is thought to affect about 15% of children and teenagers after the age of 5 or 6. The peak period of onset is between the ages of 8 and 14. Children with IBS have to deal with abdominal discomfort and bloating. Often their chronic medical condition can result in the disruption of social, school, and family activities.
For adults, IBS symptoms first appear before the age of 35 for about half of IBS sufferers and is often diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50.
Studies show that up to 75% of IBS patients get relief of their symptoms on a low FODMAP diet.
What is Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine, colon and rectum. The inflammation causes erosion of the lining of the colon, leading to bleeding, production of pus, diarrhea, and severe abdominal discomfort. Ulcerative colitis affects more than 1 in every 1,000 Americans and mostly starts between the ages of 15 and 30.
How can VSL#3 help?
VSL#3® is a high potency probiotic medical food that is clinically proven in the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis (UC) and ileal pouch. It delivers the highest available concentration of beneficial live bacteria of any probiotic in the world. Also, in the dietary management of UC, VSL#3 may help maintain remission when added to traditional therapies.
VSL#3® is a proprietary formulation of a mix of 8 strains of live lactic acid bacteria, making it one of the few probiotics with this many strains. It is at least 10 times more potent than the average probiotic as well as being gluten free, Kosher and Halal certified.
For children, VSL#3® JUNIOR is clinically proven in the dietary management of IBS to improve abdominal discomfort and bloating in children ages 2 to 12. VSL#3® JUNIOR has been studied in a pediatric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in children.
VSL#3® made the list of Approved Quality products in a recent review of probiotics conducted by ConsumerLab.com, the leading provider of independent test results and information to help consumers and healthcare professionals independently evaluate products that affect health, wellness and nutrition.
Note: VSL#3 is a medical food and must be used under medical supervision. VSL#3® products must be refrigerated to maintain potency and is available at your local pharmacy. So look for VSL#3® in the probiotic aisle of your local drug store and bring the card to the pharmacist as it is kept behind the pharmacy counter in the refrigerator.
You can learn more on VSL#3’s NEW Facebook page where they will be sharing information on digestive health, lifestyle tips, and hosting the VSL#3 Gastro-Nomical Giveaway.
IBS friendly Chocolate Macaroons
I made just one change to Patsy Catsos’s recipe. I substitutes Monk Fruit in the Raw for the sugar to reduce the calories. But you can use sugar if you like. I’ve also increased both the egg whites and the chocolate as I felt the macaroons wouldn’t have been moist enough to hold together without the extra ingredients.
Chocolate Macaroons
Based on the recipe created by Patsy Catsos, RD for VSL#3®
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
- 2/3 cup Monk Fruit In The Raw
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon gluten free pure vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup semisweet gluten free chocolate chips
Directions
Combine egg whites, Monk Fruit In The Raw, and coconut flakes in a 4-quart saucepan. Stir frequently over medium-low heat for 8 minutes until the sticky, moist mixture suddenly becomes drier.
Remove from the heat, stir in vanilla and chocolate chips until chips have melted and the chocolate has thoroughly been mixed in with the coconut. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cover 2 baking trays with parchment paper and set aside.
Use a small cookie scoop to transfer 1-inch balls of dough to the prepared baking trays. Place macaroons in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Remove baking sheets from refrigerator and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Macaroons will be firm to the touch. Don’t over bake or macaroons will be dried out and crumbly!
Cool completely on the baking tray before removing and storing in an airtight container.
Prep Time: 1 Hour
Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
VSL#3 Giveaway – win a cookware set from Sur La Table!
VSL#3 is putting on a Gastro-Nomical Giveaway through November 20th, 2014 12pm ET. Enter to win a cookware set worth $300 from Sur la Table to cook up healthy dishes, a leather recipe card book filled with custom recipe cards from VSL#3 and a copy of Flavor without FODMAPs Cookbook: Love the Food that Loves You Back by registered dietitian Patsy Catsos and a $50 pharmacy gift card to stock up on VSL#3. One winner (four winners total) will be chosen and announced on the VSL#3 Facebook page at around 12:00 P.M. EST each week on Thursday, October 30, November 6, 13, and 20.
VSL#3® products must be refrigerated to maintain potency and is available at your local pharmacy. Look for VSL#3® in the probiotic aisle of your local drug store and bring the card to the pharmacist as it is kept behind the pharmacy counter in the refrigerator.
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. VSL#3 is a medical food and must be used under medical supervision.