Fig Blog

We sat down for a Q&A with registered dietitian nutritionist, Rachel Dyckman, MS, RDN, CDN who used her clinical knowledge and experience as an IBD patient to answer a variety of questions submitted by FIG users! Q: How did you become interested in nutrition? A: My interest in nutrition stemmed from a young age, as […]

If you’ve looked at the ingredient label of a packaged food lately, chances are you’ve seen food additives like maltodextrin, carrageenan, polysorbate-80, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). These additives have become ubiquitous in our food supply and are commonly referred to as “dietary emulsifiers.” But what exactly are they and how do they impact our health? […]

We all grew up being told that we need to drink milk in order to have strong bones, but is that really true? While milk and other dairy products are good sources of calcium, they are not the only places where we can find this important mineral. If you avoid dairy due to an allergy, […]

Prebiotics and probiotics have received a lot of buzz because of their ability to promote a healthy gut microbiome. But what exactly do prebiotics and probiotics do to accomplish this, and what’s the difference between the two? What are prebiotics and probiotics? Prebiotics are substances found in certain foods that selectively feed beneficial microorganisms (mostly bacteria) […]

Following a low FODMAP diet can be challenging when determining portion sizes, which foods to choose, and which foods to avoid. There are some great tools such as the Monash University Low FODMAP app and the Fig app (in beta) to help you determine what is and is not low FODMAP. However, what about the […]

Plant-based diets have become more popular in recent years, and for good reason. There’s no question that plant-based diets are associated with many health benefits. But what about diets that are largely plant-based and also include fish and seafood? If you’re a pescatarian or are contemplating following a pescatarian diet, read on! What is a […]

Food allergies affect a staggering 32 million Americans, and milk is one of the most prevalent allergies in both children and adults. While it is common for children to outgrow a milk allergy over time, this is not always the case.   Other individuals may not be allergic to milk but are intolerant to milk […]

Eggs are often used in cooking and baking because of their material properties. But what if you can’t eat them? While following an egg-free diet may seem overwhelming at first, luckily, many foods can replace eggs from a culinary and nutritional standpoint! What is an egg-free diet? Following an egg-free diet means that you exclude […]

Dairy alternatives have exploded over the past few years, with more and more dairy-free products in grocery stores each year. Milk alternatives taste great and plant-based cheeses stretch like dairy-containing cheeses. It’s easier than ever to follow a dairy-free diet. Dairy provides key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin and protein, but it certainly isn’t […]

Thinking of going gluten-free? You may want to first check for a celiac disease diagnosis! Going gluten-free has become popular, but when is it trendy and when is it vital for your health? Whether you have frequent digestive issues or other health problems and are considering cutting gluten out of your diet, it’s important to get […]