IBS-friendly catering: how hospitality operators can cater for customers with IBS
Key takeaways
IBS affects up to 15% of the population, many of whom avoid eating out due to limited suitable menu options.
Low FODMAP dishes, clear labelling, staff training and visible ingredient lists all help hospitality operators cater confidently for IBS customers.
Avendra International's menu and allergen management module can generate ingredient, allergen, nutritional and cost information for every dish, helping caterers build IBS-friendly recipes with confidence.
The Food Checker tool lets customers scan a QR code to check dish information themselves, reducing pressure on front-of-house staff to memorise every dietary detail.
IBS Awareness Month: why hospitality operators should take note
April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month. IBS affects up to 15% of the population, many of which find it difficult to eat out due to the limited food options available.
By catering to people with IBS, food operators can improve customer satisfaction and attract a wider customer base. This can help to increase business and generate positive reviews. By providing IBS-friendly options, food operators can help promote the health and well-being of their customers.
What is IBS and why does it matter for hospitality?
Those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome can experience a significant reduction in their quality of life. IBS affects the digestive system, leading to a range of symptoms including stomach cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea. Although the cause of IBS remains unknown, stress and anxiety are commonly associated with the condition.
Food is a crucial trigger for symptoms, and people with IBS often avoid specific ingredients. Dining out can be stressful for those with IBS, as they may need to avoid certain foods or risk triggering symptoms. Unfortunately, many individuals with IBS avoid eating out altogether due to the limited options available to them.
How to create IBS-friendly dishes
Here are a few things you can do as a caterer to accommodate people with IBS:
Create IBS-friendly dishes: It is possible to cater to people suffering from IBS by preparing dishes containing only low FODMAPingredients. Keep reading to find out how Pi, Avendra International’s e-procurement system, can help you develop those dishes.
Label IBS-friendly dishes: Just like for other dietary requirements, clearly labelling IBS-friendly dishes can help customers identify suitable food items.
Train staff: Educating your staff about high and low FODMAP foods can enable them to advise customers effectively.
Provide ingredient lists: Including a list of ingredients for each dish can help people with IBS assess which foods they can consume. Note that trigger foods can vary from person to person. Keep reading to find out how Pi, Avendra International’s e-procurement system, can help you communicate those ingredients with customers.
How to build IBS-friendly recipes with the Pi eProcurement system
Familiarise yourself and your staff with high and low FODMAP foods to easily identify ingredients you should avoid using
Stay away from processed food, and opt for raw ingredients instead
Use Piranha, our Pi Management system to create your dishes with confidence. Piranha will provide you with a list of ingredients and allergens, as well as nutritional and cost information for every meal on your menu
Use our Food Checker tool (part of our Pi system), to easily share information about the food you serve and help your customers make safe, informed choices quickly and easily with a QR code!
Why catering for customers with IBS can benefit your business
By catering for people with IBS, you can really help that community feel seen. With the growing awareness of IBS, catering for people with this condition shows that you are mindful of dietary requirements and are willing to cater to a wide range of customers.
Catering for people with IBS is not only considerate, but it can also give you a competitive advantage. Everyone can enjoy low FODMAP dishes and they can be great a way to showcase your culinary skills by providing delicious and creative options!
How Avendra International can help with menu and allergen management
Chat with our team or book your demo to find out how our Pi system can manage your menus and create dishes that meet your customers’ allergen, nutritional or any other dietary requirements with ease!
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FAQs
What is a low FODMAP diet and why does it matter for restaurants?
A low FODMAP diet focuses on avoiding certain ingredients that can trigger IBS symptoms. With IBS affecting up to 15% of the population and some people avoiding eating out because of limited suitable options, providing IBS-friendly dishes can help hospitality operators cater for a wider range of customers.
How can restaurants label menus for customers with IBS?
Restaurants can clearly label IBS-friendly dishes and provide ingredient lists to help customers identify suitable choices. As individual IBS triggers can vary, providing clear information can help customers make more informed decisions about what they eat.
How can the Pi eProcurement system help caterers create and manage IBS-friendly dishes?
Avendra International’s Pi eProcurement system can support catering teams when developing IBS-friendly dishes by providing ingredient and allergen information, alongside nutritional and cost information for meals. Its Food Checker tool can also help operators share food information with customers via a QR code, helping them make more informed choices.
Does catering for customers with IBS benefit a hospitality business commercially?
Yes. Providing IBS-friendly options can help hospitality businesses improve customer satisfaction, appeal to a wider customer base and potentially generate positive reviews. It can also provide a competitive advantage by demonstrating greater awareness of customers with different dietary requirements.
