Low FODMAP Diet 101: What It Is and What to Eat

What Are FODMAPs?

FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols. This term was coined in the early 2000s by the creators of this diet, Dr. Peter Gibson and Dr. Sue Shepherd. 

FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates, a type of sugar, which the small intestine can have difficulty digesting. Examples of these sugars include fructans, galacto-oligosaccarides, lactose, fructose, sorbitol and mannitol. These sugars increase the amount of gas and fluid in the bowel. This, in turn, may lead to symptoms such as nausea, cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. 

Foods containing FODMAPs include fruits, vegetables, natural and artificial sweeteners, dairy and non-dairy milks, wheat-containing starches and legumes. 

Conditions Improved by the Low FODMAP Diet

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common intestinal disorder treated with a low FODMAP diet. The diet may also improve symptoms caused by Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), chronic diarrhea and gluten sensitivity. Typically, patients are advised to follow this diet if symptoms persist after less restrictive options are exhausted, such as avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.

Phases of the Low FODMAP Diet

The low FODMAP diet is considered an elimination diet. Keep in mind, this diet is only beneficial to a small subset of individuals and is not meant for the long term. It's a tool used to help discover which foods are causing the individual discomfort and sickness.

1. The first stage of this diet lasts from six to eight weeks. During this step of the process, the individual eliminates all high FODMAP foods from their diet. 
2. The next step is reintroduction. The individual re-introduces the foods they eliminated in the first stage, one by one. They track their symptoms as they reintroduce these foods in order to pinpoint likely offenders. This should be a gradual, well-documented process.
3. The final step is liberalization. At this point, the doctor or dietitian analyzes the results from the re-introduction phase. They use this data to create the least-restrictive long-term diet plan possible.

It is important to seek counsel from a health care professional while undertaking this diet, as it may be harmful to over-restrict certain foods. Many FODMAP-containing foods are good sources of vital nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant-based protein. Restricting these foods long-term may lead to deficiencies and health complications. 

Benefits and Risks of the Low FODMAP Diet

What Not to Eat on the Low FODMAP Diet

The following foods should be eliminated during the first stage of a Low FODMAP diet.

What to Eat on the Low FODMAP Diet

With such long lists of eliminated foods it's easy to wonder, what can you eat? More than you would think. In fact, eating nutrition-dense foods becomes especially important. Here's what to eat on the low FODMAP diet.

Bottom Line

The low FODMAP diet can help individuals suffering from IBS or other intestinal disorders to alleviate symptoms of nausea, bloating, gas, cramping, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea. Generally, less restrictive strategies are utilized prior to resorting to this regimen. It is advised to seek guidance from a doctor or dietitian to determine if this diet may be appropriate for you. 

FODMAPs are sugars primarily found in fruits, vegetables, dairy, natural and artificial sweeteners as well as certain starches. Low FODMAP foods include meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, certain fruits and vegetables, low-lactose dairy products and some nut-based milks.

After several weeks of an elimination diet, foods can slowly be reintroduced to help identify the specific foods contributing to symptoms. It is important to only avoid the trigger foods and eat as liberally as possible as to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies.

The low FODMAP diet can be quite challenging to comply with when eating with friends and family. The list of foods to avoid is lengthy and includes many widely-used ingredients, such as onions, garlic, wheat and dairy products. It is impractical unless you are preparing all of your own meals.

Bearing everything in mind, the low FODMAP diet can be a useful tool to improve the quality of life of those suffering from IBS, SIBO, IBD or other related conditions.

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