FODMAP update

[sassyl]

Hey all,

Well in December I tested my diet (again) by following a Low FODMAP diet, and I've been following it strictly for about 8 weeks now.

It's basically a diet that eliminates high fructose foods and may support those of us who have fructose malabsorption.

Why did I do this? Well, I am already CD and lactose intolerant, but had noticed for a good 6 months that I was not myself. Doc had already put me on Vit D supplements but I still had crushingly low energy. And I had really bad acid reflux, worse after certain foods, and wind sooo bad that the only proper thing to do was to blame the kids I teach!!!! Honestly, I reckon an average of 60-80 farts a day! (sorry)

Well I am 8 weeks in and all change!

The acid reflux has completely disappeared, as has the wind (I'm down to about 2 a day!) No more sudden toilet runs, sleepless IBS nights, daily grumbles. I cannot believe the difference it has made to me. Within 3 days of starting I could feel the difference in my guts.

Having recently started to retest certain foods I'm beginning to see a real pattern in foods I should avoid. Cauliflower is a killer for me and ends in an almost instant toilet dash. Onion I'm less certain of - I think I may be able to get away with a little, or the reaction is slower. Raspberries are ok, but I have to steer clear of mushrooms.

I had falling out with tapioca a couple weeks ago. I'm wondering if that is related or if I have started reacting to even more foods now.

I still have really low energy, but I now know it's not because I am lying awake at night in a constant dull ache from my guts. All that has gone. I think for anyone who has unresolved 'gluten' feelings the Low FODMAP diet is worth a week of your time.

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Thanks Sassyl for this useful blog. Great to see that FODMAP has helped you!

We have a lot of posts on this on our Facebook discussion tab as well. For anyone with ongoing Coeliac issues it's worth discussing this with your Dr / dietitian.

FODMAP arose in Oz originally. Then Doctors at Kings College did some more research into it and phased training has been rolled out to many UK dietitians. Not all hospital dietitians are clued up yet but many are. It has been proven to help many people with IBS or IBD issues. Complex sugars and starches are often harder for anyone with stomach problems to digest. If you've had problems after eating fruit with stones or raw salads then keep a food diary and then if you can i-d the problem ask your Dr or dietitian about FODMAP. It's best to be done in consultation with a FODMAP specialist to get the most out of it as it will also involve monitoring what levels of trigger foods you can eat eg a small amount of garlic or onions maybe ok for some but not for others. It's also useful as just like gluten there can be hidden FODMAPs in many foods esp ready made sauces which contain garlic and onions. The good news is it doesn't necessarily mean you need a FODMAP diet for life but it can help i-d the amount of trigger foods that set you off and which ones.

"Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and PolyolS (FODMAPs) are short chain carbohydrates (e.g. fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, polyols, fructose and lactose) that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Ingestion of FODMAPs leads to alterations in fluid content and bacterial fermentation in the colon triggering functional gut symptoms in susceptible individuals. Removing FODMAPs from the diet is effective in improving symptoms of people with functional gut disorders like IBS."

More info;

shepherdworks.com.au/diseas...

kcl.ac.uk/medicine/research...