What Is the Low FODMAP Diet?
FODMAP stands for “Fermentable Oligosaccharides,Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And olyols. These fermentable short-chain carbohydrates are prevalent in the diet.
- Oligosaccharides: fructans and galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
- Disaccharides: lactose
- Monosaccharides: fructose
- Polyols: sorbitol and mannitol
Researchers suggest that the small intestine does not absorb FODMAPs very well. They increase the amount of fluid in the bowel. They also create more gas. That’s because bacteria in the colon they are easily fermented by colonic bacteria. The increased fluid and gas in the bowel leads to bloating and changes in the speed with which food is digested. This results in gas, pain and diarrhea. Eating less of these types of carbohydrates should decrease these symptoms.
So far, studies have shown that a low FODMAP diet improves IBS symptoms. One study even found that 76% of IBS patients following the diet reported improvement with their symptoms.
Eat Less Of These Foods
-
Lactose
- Cow’s milk, yogurt, pudding, custard, ice cream, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and mascarpone
-
Fructose
- Fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, mangoes, pears and watermelon
- Sweeteners, such as honey and agave nectar
- Products with high fructose corn syrup
-
Fructans
- Vegetables, such as artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, garlic and onions
- Grains such as wheat and rye
- Added fiber, such as inulin
-
GOS
- Chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and soy products
- Vegetables, such as broccoli
-
Polyols
- Fruits, such as apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums and watermelon
- Vegetables, such as cauliflower, mushrooms and snow peas
- Sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol and isomalt found in sugar-free gum and mints, and cough medicines and drops
Eat More Of These Foods
- Dairy: Lactose-free milk, rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, lactose-free yogurt; hard cheeses such as feta and brie
- Fruit: Bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, lemon, lime, oranges and strawberries
- Vegetables: Bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, bok choy, carrots, chives, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, lettuce, olives, parsnips, potatoes, spring onions and turnips
- Protein: Beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs and tofu
- Nuts/seeds (limit to 10-15 each): Almonds, macadamia, peanuts, pine nuts and walnuts
- Grain: Oat, oat bran, rice bran, gluten-free pasta, such as rice, corn, quinoa, white rice, corn flour and quinoa