Glasgow restaurant 'one of the first' to offer special menu

Atlantic Bar & Brasserie has designed a low FODMAP menu, which is specially catered for customers who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or who follow a gluten and dairy-free diet.

Studies show that eating a low FODMAP diet can reduce symptoms of IBS such as bloating, constipation and stomach pain.

It is even said to improve mental well-being for those living with the condition. 

Atlantic's special menu consists of a range of starters, mains and desserts, with six options for each, including steak, confit lamb, and marinated chicken.

All meals have been developed by DRG restaurant group, which operates Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, along with nutrition expert Lesley Reid.

DRG director Mario Gizzi said: “Our chefs worked with Lesley to learn about the principles and benefits of the diet, and how we can best cater for customers who require a low FODMAP exclusion diet or who need fructan, lactose, gluten or dairy exclusion.

“This menu is suitable for customers who suffer from IBS, or require a gluten and dairy-free diet.

"For those with dietary restrictions, dining can be a nightmare. Many menus don’t include full ingredients, and there’s a lot of anxiety around what could cause a flare-up or reaction.

“So we’re extremely pleased to be doing our bit to mitigate that with a fully low FODMAP menu – the first of its kind in the U.K.

"We want our diners to feel happy, comfortable and confident ordering with us – no matter what their dietary requirements are.”

Lesley, who has over 23 years of experience as a dietitian, runs her own specialist IBS clinics. 

She said: “I work with clients who have IBS, and I was looking for a restaurant to help my clients enjoy eating out again, a place that they felt they could trust and have their needs understood.

“The Low FODMAP diet is an elimination diet that is prescribed for people with IBS.  

“For someone with IBS, one of the main issues you can suffer with is the anxiety around eating out.

"They worry about appearing awkward asking to change recipes or for details about ingredients in meals, and that anxiety can cause their IBS to flare up, making them ill during or after the meal.

“With 15% of the UK population having IBS there is certainly a market for menus like this.

"As a nation, eating out is such a big part of people’s lives – it makes a massive difference to give people with IBS the ability to go out and enjoy a meal without the anxiety and worry about how it is going to affect them.”