Hi I would like to give the diet a go that a lot of you have recommended. Where do I find it? Also will I be left with anything left to eat

[lauralou22]

, is it pretty limited? I am going with out food some days to lessen flare ups its getting me down Thanks xxx

[Hidden]

Hi,

I 'm guessing you're referring to the low-FODMAP diet, so following is my standard response to anybody who's about to look into it, sorry it's a bit lengthy, but there's so much bad and outdated info out there on the web and, if you get it wrong, it won't work, so take a deep breath and read on:

The diet was (and is still being) developed at Monash University in Australia, so its website is the best place to start at monash.edu.au – just put FODMAP into the search box on its homepage and you'll get there. If you have an iPhone there’s an app you can download from there, which will also be available for android in September, and a booklet you can send for.

An American dietitian called Patsy Catsos has written an excellent book about FODMAPs called 'IBS - Free At Last' (available from Amazon) which follows the Australian model very closely and contains all the info you need to get going. She also has advice on which food additives to avoid which is really useful.

I didn't find the NHS guidelines for the diet either as strict or as good as Monash's so stuck with what Monash said along with Patsy's book which became my bible.

When you first read about FODMAPs, you'll wonder what on earth you're actually left with to eat, but you do get used to it. The diet isn't meant to be a life sentence; what it does is to cut out all the food groups which contain the most likely suspects, making it easier to work out what suits you and what doesn't. I found that there were several 'safe' FODMAP foods which weren't safe for me at all, but these were easily identifiable as my menu was so small.

Once you get a real improvement in your symptoms, you then start to reintroduce the different food groups back into your diet one at a time to see which affects you and in which way. After 8 months, I can now eat from all the food groups with very few problems and have identified all my triggers.

I was amazed when I got a result from FODMAPs within 4 days although it can take several weeks for other people, so don't give up if you don't have an immediate result.

Pagan

[PatV in reply to Hidden]

My GI doctor very enthusiastic about it (FODMAP) and I am too.

[Hidden in reply to PatV]

Hi PatV

I hope FODMAPs is working as well for you as it is for me. I've been doing it for over 8 months and have now extended my menu considerably. This process has been helped immeasurably by taking Pukka aloe vera juice (30ml twice a day before lunch and dinner). I'd tried various aloe juice brands previously, but another member of this network told me about Pukka and it works amazingly well for me. I'm now eating foods I never thought I'd taste again! Have you tried it?

Pagan

[PatV in reply to Hidden]

NO i use Pure Aloe Force Blue, but I'll look for Pukka. I was forced off of it by my travels to see my mother and the stress of seeing her into a nursing home. Pain back in full force! But PT stress reduction and diet will get me back to manageable level i hope before I have to travel again. also will send for book . thanks!

[Hidden in reply to PatV]

I hope things work out well for both you and your mother and that you get back on track with things soon.

[PatV in reply to Hidden]

thanks

[Hidden]

I've just got the Fodmap diet from Monash Uni they now do an app for iphone. Its great and you can carry it about wherever you go so better than a book.