Those suffering with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often have been living with unwanted symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea or constipation for many years or even decades. We have some new tools for you!
Have you heard of the Low FODMAP diet?
The Low FODMAP Diet is a therapeutic diet used to help those suffering with IBS reduce and/or eliminate symptoms. The success of reducing symptoms is about 70%.
However, the Low FODMAP diet is not a panacea and it might not be for everyone.
It is important to meet with your physician and Registered Dietitian to rule out any other causes of these symptoms first as well as use the diet as one piece of the healing puzzle.
So what is a Low FODMAP diet?
FODMAPs are the sugars that are left undigested and therefore continue to ferment in the digestive system and create the symptoms of bloating, gas, pain, and diarrhea/constipation.
These sugars include fructose (in certain fruits and honey), lactose (milk and milk products), sugar polyols (in some fruit and veggies and added as artificial sweeteners), fructans, (wheat, rye, onions, garlic) and galacto- oligosaccharides (legumes).
What tools are available for Low FODMAP diet?
The Low FODMAP diet is very complex because it eliminate or greatly reduces these sugars in your diet for 2-8 weeks. It is very important to work with a registered dietitian that is skilled in Low FODMAPs so that you are able to follow it accurately and get the results you want.
It is also important for the transition period when we reintroduce foods back into your diet to have the guidance and support of a registered dietitian.
One of our favorite tools:
Monash University Low FODMAP Diet app
The Low FODMAP Diet can be very confusing and I have found that the Monash University Low FODMAP Diet app for smartphones and booklet to be very helpful.
The Monash University app is extremely useful in low FODMAP diets.
This amazing app:
- illustrates the foods that contain FODMAPs that should be limited or avoided and what FODMAPs they contain.
- outlines the most important part! What can you eat?!
- calculates fiber content of different foods, provides a sample menu, and recipe ideas.
The app can help distinguish what foods you should and should not eat.
On the app you can look up foods to determine if they contain FODMAPs, what FODMAPs, and what the serving size would be for that food.
You can also log your meals, create a grocery list, learn about
Low FODMAPs and filter FODMAPs for when you are reintroducing them to your diet.
The Monash University is leading the research on Low FODMAPs and has been an excellent resource for myself as a Registered Dietitian working with Low FODMAPs as well as my clients.
For more resources on Low FODMAPs
10 Low FODMAP Lunch Ideas To Mix Up Your Meal Prep
20 Easy Low FODMAP Snacks if You Are Struggling with IBS
10 Low FODMAP Friendly Breakfasts That Are Perfect for Any Morning
Need help determining if the Low FODMAP diet is for you? Looking to have a Registered Dietitian guide you through the process? Or are you looking to transition off Low FOMAPs? Dana Magee RD, LD, CLT can help you no matter what stage you are in. If you tried Low FODMAPs in the past without successfully getting rid of your symptoms Dana can help you figure out what the next step can be and how to achieve a life without symptoms! Contact us for an appointment with Dana here.
-Blog reviewed and updated by Rebecca Bitzer MS RD LD September 10, 2021
Dana uses her advanced training in functional nutrition and food sensitivities to help her clients love and trust food again as they heal from years of painful symptoms that have dominated their lives. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Food Sensitivities Survival Guide.
