Representative sources: (a selection of sources that inform the Care Plan’s guidance)

• General healthy eating & patterns: Broad nutrition principles for health and chronic disease prevention, including Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 (USDA/HHS) for balanced eating patterns and WHO guidance on healthy diets (emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and limiting added sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt). These consensus resources underscore the benefits of Mediterranean-style or high-fiber diets in reducing long-term risks.

  • USDA & HHS – Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 (nationwide nutrition recommendations).

  • World Health Organization – Healthy Diet Factsheet (global perspective on core diet principles).

• IBS & FODMAPs: Clinical and research-based guidance on managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome through diet. This includes the American College of Gastroenterology’s IBS management guideline (2021), which supports gradual diet changes like adding soluble fiber (psyllium) and considers a short-term low-FODMAP trial for symptom relief. We also reference Monash University’s pioneering work on the Low-FODMAP diet (Monash’s patient resources) for identifying trigger foods like certain fermentable carbs. These sources reinforce that IBS triggers vary widely and an individualized approach (trial and observation) is key.

  • ACG – Clinical Guideline: Management of IBS (2021) – Dietary and lifestyle recommendations for IBS (e.g. fiber, low-FODMAP) from GI specialists.

  • Monash University – Low FODMAP Diet Resources – Practical guidance on reducing FODMAPs (e.g. garlic, onion, certain sugars) to identify sensitivities.

• GERD & reflux: Authoritative sources on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and acid reflux management. We draw on the American College of Gastroenterology GERD Guideline (2022) for evidence-based tips (like weight management and elevating the bed for nighttime reflux). For diet specifics, we use NIH resources (e.g. NIDDK – Eating, Diet & Nutrition for GERD) which list common triggers such as high-fat, spicy, or acidic foods and recommend eating smaller meals and not lying down right after eating. Patient-focused expertise from groups like IFFGD (International Foundation for GI Disorders) is also factored in – for example, IFFGD’s “Diet Changes for GERD” article, which notes that while no single “GERD diet” fits all, many people benefit from avoiding their personal trigger foods and timing meals to keep reflux in check.

  • ACG – Clinical Guideline for GERD (2022) – Latest clinical recommendations on managing reflux (lifestyle modifications and individualized trigger avoidance).

  • NIDDK (NIH) – Diet & Nutrition for GERD – Overview of how foods and habits can affect GERD symptoms (for example, foods to limit and meal timing).

  • IFFGD – Diet Changes for GERD (2021) – Educational article on common reflux triggers, meal size/timing, and listening to one’s own trigger pattern.

• IBD & nutrition context: Resources covering Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and how diet plays a role. While there is no single “IBD diet,” certain patterns emerge. We use expert reviews like the AGA Clinical Practice Update on Diet in IBD (2023–2024) which summarizes how, during flares, patients might need to modify fiber texture or avoid exacerbating foods. Trusted patient guides, such as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s dietary recommendations (“What Should I Eat?”), and NIH information (NIDDK – Eating for Ulcerative Colitis) reinforce that people with IBD should individualize their diet: eating a balanced, nutritious diet in remission, and adjusting during active symptoms (for instance, a bland, low-residue diet if intestines are inflamed). These sources all encourage using a food diary to identify personal trigger foods in IBD.

  • AGA – Diet and Nutritional Therapy in IBD (2023 update) – Expert review on diet adjustments for Crohn’s/Colitis management.

  • Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation – IBD Nutrition Guide (“What Should I Eat?”) – Patient-friendly advice on foods to consider or avoid, and maintaining nutrition.

  • NIDDK (NIH) – Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Ulcerative Colitis – Outlines dietary tips for UC, including staying hydrated, avoiding high-fiber during flares, etc.

• PCOS & metabolic health: Evidence-based recommendations on diet for polycystic ovary syndrome and related metabolic conditions (like insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes). We reference the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2021) review on Nutrition for PCOS, which suggests that general healthy patterns such as the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet can improve PCOS outcomes. These diets emphasize whole grains, fruits/veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats – helping with weight management and blood-sugar control, which are key in PCOS. For diabetes and heart health, we follow major guidelines (American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association) which similarly promote high-fiber, plant-rich eating and limited added sugars and saturated fats. In short, what’s good for digestion (fiber, balanced meals, less processed food) often aligns with what’s good for metabolic conditions.

  • Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics – Diet and PCOS (2021, reviewed 2025) – Explains how Mediterranean/DASH-style eating and regular exercise help manage PCOS symptoms and insulin resistance.

  • American Diabetes Association – Standards of Medical Care – Nutrition Therapy – Endorses individualized healthy eating plans (Mediterranean, low-carb, etc.) for blood glucose management, stressing no one-size-fits-all and the importance of personal preferences and cultural needs.

  • CDC / NIH – Diabetes & Diet Resources – Government health information linking high-fiber, balanced diets to better glycemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction in those with or at risk for diabetes.

• Self-monitoring & behavior change: Sources that highlight the value of self-tracking and gradual habit changes for managing health. Gastroenterology guidelines for IBS and reflux encourage keeping a food and symptom diary to identify triggers. Similarly, organizations like the NHS and IFFGD advise patients to note what they eat and how they feel as a first step in gaining control over symptoms. In broader nutrition and weight management research, self-monitoring is consistently one of the most effective behavior-change strategies – simply logging meals or symptoms can increase awareness and motivate healthier choices. Additionally, habit-building insights (from psychology research and public health guidance) support the approach of making small, sustainable changes (such as one extra glass of water or a regular meal time each day) rather than drastic overhauls. The Care Plan’s methodology is in line with these principles: encouraging you to track your journey and adopt modest, attainable changes that can compound into improvements over time.

  • AGA & NHS (IBS guidance) – Patient advice to track diet and symptoms – Both U.S. and U.K. IBS resources recommend journaling food intake and symptom flare-ups to figure out personal trigger foods and habits.

  • Behavioral Nutrition Research – Self-Monitoring in diet change – A large body of evidence (systematic reviews in weight loss and diabetes care) shows that people who regularly log their food and symptoms tend to have better outcomes, as this practice builds mindfulness and accountability.

  • WHO & CDC (healthy habits) – Gradual improvement approach – Public health experts emphasize that healthy habits stick best when they fit one’s lifestyle and are introduced incrementally. For example, the WHO notes that while core diet principles are universal, how you implement them should suit your individual life and culture, and the CDC highlights practical small steps (like adding one serving of vegetables, or walking for 10 minutes) as building blocks of better health.