What is Low FODMAP?

What is Low FODMAP - Tara Rochford Nutrition #lowfodmap #tararochfordnutrition

Today I’m answering a popular question from blog readers and instagram followers: What is Low FODMAP?

Check out the video here:

My Story

Back in 2014 I was diagnosed with IBS. I was experiencing crippling stomach pain, embarrassing amounts of bloat (my clothes wouldn’t fit by the end of the day and would be loose the next morning), and lots of gas – all of this led me to visit a gastroenterologist or a GI doctor to work through these issues.

That’s when I was introduced to a low FODMAP diet.

What are FODMAPs?

FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable carbohydrates that lead to a lot of symptoms associated with IBS. These are commonly not absorbed well in the digestive system, even in people who don’t have IBS, but it all comes down to the sensitivity of the individual. 

F = fermentable

O = oligosaccharides

D = disaccharides

M = monosaccharides

A = and

P = polyols

These fermentable sugars are abundant in many common nutritious foods we eat such as apples, pears, stone fruit, avocado, almonds, onion, garlic, honey, cashews, kidney beans, agave, sugar-free chewing gum and even some medicines.

Current research shows that up to 75% of people with IBS will feel symptomatic relief when following a low FODMAP diet or a modified low FODMAP because reducing FODMAPs in the diet has been shown to decrease symptoms associated with IBS like gas, bloating, irregularity. 

What is the low FODMAP diet?

The low FODMAP diet is a short-term elimination diet to help identify food triggers by reducing the amount of FODMAPs in the diet. It’s not a forever diet, it is a tool to help you act as a detective to identify dietary triggers of your IBS symptoms. 

After eliminating certain foods, the most important step of the diet (and the most challenging) is strategically reintroducing foods back into the diet to identify what is ok to eat.

I highly recommend working with a low FODMAP dietitian or a gut health dietitian to go through this process. 

When to see a doctor?

If you are struggling with digestive symptoms or experience a change in your regularity or are suddenly experiencing new symptoms or discomfort, I cannot urge you more to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist to figure out what is going on with your body.

The low FODMAP diet has helped many individuals including me, which is why I share a ton of low FODMAP and lower FODMAP recipes on my site. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Popular Low FODMAP Recipes:

Breakfast

Lunch or Dinner

Staples

Desserts

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  1. Great post! The way you explained FODMAPs and their impact on IBS is very clear and easy to understand. It’s wonderful to hear about your positive experience with the low FODMAP diet.