As a busy professional on the go, Vanessa Hutchinson was constantly on the look-out for high quality protein bars. However, as one of the many people who follow a low FODMAP diet, this was no easy task.
Fed up, she decided to create her own snack bar and launched Fodbods just over 12 months ago. She’s since sold almost 300,000 bars and now supplies to more than 200 stockists in Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
Around 1-in-5 Australians suffer from IBS and 75% of people on the low FODMAP diet – a list of foods which do not cause IBS effects of bloating, pain and nausea – report improvements.
Considering the extent of the issue, Ms Hutchinson was shocked to find there was no comparable snack bar on the market.
“There’s gluten-free flour and pasta but little in the way of convenience food,” she says.
“Fodbods is actually the first and only FODMAP certified snack bar in Australia. Other protein bars have ingredients such as dates which aren’t IBS friendly, and also have low levels of protein, whereas our 50g bars all contain around 16g of protein.”
Given the demand, the business recently launched a fifth new flavour – Banana and Peanut.
“Our best sellers are the Peanut Choc Chip and Mint Chocolate,” Ms Hutchinson says.
“However, people love the banana. On low FODMAP diet you can’t eat a lot of ripe banana, but we have just the right amount for those who miss it.”
Ms Hutchinson hopes Fodbods will become a well-known brand and also wants to expand into other FODMAP-friendly items.
“Ultimately I’d love if people with IBS can just live off a range of these products.”
Fodbods, along with other businesses featuring gut-friendly products, will be showcasing to retailers and industry at the 2021 Naturally Good Health Expo. The expo is on from 30-31 May, 2021, at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. For more information, visit naturallygood.com.au.
