What are FODMAPs?

FODMAPs stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, a type of carbohydrate which the human digestive system has difficulty breaking down. Generally speaking, FODMAPs can be found in many everyday foods such as grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Many people with digestive issues including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can benefit from cutting down on FODMAP foods and tracking the impact of their diet on their symptoms for best results.

Benefits of a Low FODMAP Diet

The Low FODMAP Diet involves temporarily cutting out foods high in FODMAPs to assess their impact on your digestive health. While this does reduce variety, it can be highly beneficial for symptoms of digestive issues like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. Cutting out these foods can help to alleviate the symptoms from an inflamed intestine.

Following a Low FODMAP diet requires being savvy with ingredient labels and finding alternative foods that are low in FODMAPs. As a result, many people unintentionally shift to a healthier diet. Carbohydrates like rice and quinoa, as well as proteins and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, are also low in FODMAPs but high in essential nutritional benefits.

Getting Started with a Low FODMAP Diet

Before embarking on the Low FODMAP Diet, it’s important to consult your doctor and nutritionist to assess your individual needs. While the diet can be highly beneficial, making sure it’s tailored to your level of sensitivity is key for managing your symptoms.

The Low FODMAP Diet usually starts with a strict ‘elimination’ phase, where all high FODMAP foods are avoided for several weeks. During this period, people often feel an improvement in their symptoms, which can then be further improved when re-introducing certain FODMAP groups one at a time – monitoring the impact on symptoms as they go.

In conclusion, the Low FODMAP Diet can help to alleviate the symptoms related to digestive issues such as IBS, if employed wisely and realistically. However, as every individual is highly unique, it’s important to always consult your nutritionist or doctor before getting started.