Fodmap diet for three weeks very up and down still cant identify any specific trigger foods.

[annie-w]

I have been in the low fodmap diet for nearly 3weeks and it is still very up and down three good days but pain all day yesterday. I cannot work out if I have any trigger foods it seems to be random. I have allowed myself some treats but within the diet maybe too much at one go could be the problem or too much food in total in one day-)( meringue for eg which I thought ok as sugar and egg are permitted and when I feel better I naturally eat more) Still getting bloating to a degree as well. Does this seem to be a recognisable pattern to anyone. I will stick with the diet and hope that there will be more gradual improvement. Any comments or advice very welcome

[lynne25ukuk]

I have had ibs d for 15 years with worse symptoms over the last five. I have never done the fodmap and I won't. I have simply cut out fried, spicy and dairy to start with. All caffeine and alcohol and gave up smoking and noticed huge improvements. I have slowly over the last year started introducing so called trigger foods one at a time and so far so good. I'm now able to have a fry up once every couple of months and I have a yoghurt every day with no issues. If I have it and it does react then I cut it out for a month then try again. I have only had one episode of D in six months compared to every day. I also take a multi vitamin and probiotic every day as well as my ibs medication

[Hidden]

If you're going to do FODMAPs, you must be careful to check ingredients' lists on any processed foods you buy, in fact, it's better to stay away from them altogether. Keep food portions small and eat more of them rather than 3 large meals. Despite them being on the diet 'safe' list, grains, including rice and oats, give me bloating, pain and wind and I have to stick with corn (maize). From what I've read on this site, it seems that this diet works better for people with d rather than c.

[katie56 in reply to Hidden]

i see you left this three years ago so i doubt you'll see this reply but just in case......

i was wondering if you have found a more effective treatment than the foodmap diet for ibs-c?

i have ibs-c and am about to start the foodmap diet but your comment is making me hesitant.

thanks

[jayjay57]

Hello annie-w

Can you please let me know where I can get the Foodmap Diet from I have read a lot about it and would like to try it, I have IBS-C, Thank You for any help

[annie-w in reply to jayjay57]

I am afraid that the diet which I am on which is the English version of the low fodmaps diet is not available except from registered dieticians ( I have a dietician ) It is suggested that it is not a good idea to go it alone as it can be quite difficult to hav e a proper nourishing diet. Basically I have cut out wheat, high lactose foods, and high fructose so only wheat free bread etc. only very small amounts of semi or skimmed milk and in preference lactose free milk, but cream and hard cheeses which are low in lactose allowed. Sugar and syrup ok but not honey and not jams and marmalades which have added fructose, sucrose in them ok. Meat fish eggs ok, veg onions and leeks , mushrooms not ok, but potatoes, carrots, green beans and salad stuff ok. Fruit not apples pears, or fruit with stones but rasp strawb, rhubarb, oranges, lemons ok.

These are just a few of the foods allowed and not allowed, but you should see if you can get a dietician to help I think they are available on the nhs but how easily I don't know

The Australian version which I think you can find on the Monash website is slightly different I believe dairy may be a no no, but you would need to check as I am not completely sure about it.. I seem to still have good and bad days although perhaps the bad days less and the nausea which was a constant with me for months not so bad now. I wish you luck it seems to be different for everyone!

[Ibsr]

If you have 'allowed yourself treats' whilst only being on FODMAP for 3 weeks than you are not really on a strict FODMAP diet:-(.

Have you kept a food diary?

[annie-w in reply to Ibsr]

The treats which I have allowed myself do fall within the foods allowed I have had

raspberries with meringue and cream as sugar eggs and cream are allowed on this diet but perhaps I should not have had such a rich combination. I have been very careful not to eat foods not allowed but think I am having perhaps too much at one go a main course and a pudding where I should probably have had one or the other. It is very difficult as I feel hungry most of the time but I am definitely keeping to permitted foods.I have kept a diary but cannot pick out any particular trigger foods. I am very aware that the whole point of the low fodmaps diet ( in my case the English version)

is to try and leave out 'suspect 'foods and afte a oeriod reintrocude certain foods after a period of time perhaps when I said treats I was being a bit misleading.

[Ibsr in reply to annie-w]

The FODMAP list may say you are 'allowed' sugar, but keep an eye on your symptoms. When I started the FODMAP diet I was sticking to the list and noticed reduced symptoms, but also noticed I was still in pain after breakfast each morning...I narrowed it down to sugar, honey and my daily Vitamins which had pear juice in them!

With your food diary keep a list of symptoms too.

Good luck

[PatV]

I went to a health food restaurant and had a spinach salad and some barley soup. Boy did I have pain! I have IBS-C and know broccoli is a trigger for pain. For all I know there was broccoli or something like it in the soup. My GI doctor says I have diverticulosis and a very stretchy colon. I have not discussed with her yet the possibility of IBS . so far she says laxatives, exercise, plenty of water, and heat.

[Ladycx]

Hi PatV on my list it says barley is a big no no. So it could have been that.

[rowantree]

Avoid coffee too. And there is apple and garlic in so many things.

[annie-w]

Thank you could you tell me how I send a private message I am probably being a bit dim but do I need a different e mail address for you and my actual e mail address?

[LivingHappyWithIBS]

Three weeks is not long enough to rule out the low FODMAP diet. You should be FODMAP-free for 6-8 weeks (without cheating) before reintroducing foods into your diet. A big part that I found very helpful for me is to eat smaller meals more frequently. I eat about 200-300 calorie meals about 6 times a day. Any more than that I get the bloating and pain. Also, while sugar and fats are OK, they should be limited. I would be happy to help in any way possible, I have been through the riggers of the diet and have become much healthier and happier since.

[xsnorkelx]

Hi I just answered one similar to your enquiry sorry for repeating myself but I suggest reading through the below list of foods that cause the most reactions in people (they are in order and affect everybody not just if you have IBS) Wheat,Corn,Milk,Corn (maize),Eggs,Yeast,Cane sugar,Coffee,Oats,Barley (malt),Beet sugar, Tea,Potatoes,Lemons,Cocoa beans,Oranges,Beef,Pork,Onions x

[Hidden]

Have you gone on a low Fodmap diet with a dietician ,if so you should not introduce any other food for 8wks.Stick to it or you won't know your triggers.Good Luck