FODMAP diet

[mommyto3boys]

Hey everyone in new to this group, have been diagnosed with ibs for a few years now and I'm looking at the fodmap diet to try elimainate any potential triggers. I'm also hoping to lose a little weight about 5lbs (currently 9st11lbs) will fodmap help with weight loss as well as my ibs symptoms? Thank you for any responses.

[Deliamc95]

Hi! I tried the low fodmap diet and lost a few pounds, nothing major. Mainly because i figure I wasn't eating goodies anymore and replaced pasta and bread etc for things like egg and rice. In the end I found the diet didn't actually work for me, as it doesn't for many. They claim garlic and onion are mortal sins for IBS but I was fine with them, but not eggs, ginger and other stuff. The point of the diet is to eliminate foods which ferment in your bowel and cause bloating and gas, but if these aren't your main symptoms of concern, it may not be the best option for you.

[mommyto3boys in reply to Deliamc95]

Bloating, cramping and gas are my main symptoms. I avoid most carbs like bread and white pasta etc as they are a big no no for me and will suffer with eating these foods.

[Deliamc95 in reply to mommyto3boys]

Worth a shot so! There's an app for €6 from the app store called the monarch University fodmap diet or something like that. Very handy for shopping trips. You can scan the food label and it tells you if it's good, ok or a big no no

[mommyto3boys in reply to Deliamc95]

Oohhh I will have a look thank you.

[Jane123456 in reply to mommyto3boys]

I used to think gluten or more precisely gliadin was the cause of my symptoms however I have had a really bad flare up recently and was advised to avoid lactose as well as gliadin which has definitely helped. It is so hard to avoid these things and you have to get your head around changing the way you eat as often the free from or substitute foods are either unpalatable or cause the same problems, e.g. Some of the lacto free products in my case. It takes time and often an exclusion diet to work out exactly what your triggers are but it does give you back some control as you can decide to eat these things and suffer or avoid them and feel better. Sometimes you can even get away with eating the things you know trigger a bad response occasionally in small amounts as a treat. Don't give up keep experimenting and if you can keep a record of what you eat and how it has affected you.

[Huskywomen in reply to Deliamc95]

Yes I was recommended to try that diet, some of the thing I have already eliminated from my diet, but I wouldn't say it has worked for me, except the food I have already taken out i.e. Dairy, yeast, additives , sweeteners, caffeine, , but I find myself constipated due to redundant sigmoid colon , You just need to find the foods that cause you trouble and stop taking them, and reduce them back into your diet again and see what happens, if they still cause you problems, just eliminate them totally from your diet for ever ,

[mommyto3boys in reply to Huskywomen]

Thank you. That what I want to do. I don't have sugar in my diet apart from naturally occurring in fruit like nectarines etc. I do drink a lot of tea and coffee and I enjoy yoghurts too. I do get constipation too I had major surgery on my bowel 2 weeks ago due to endometriosis. Today I'm in pain and very bloated and uncomfortable. So it's definitely something I need to try

[Huskywomen in reply to mommyto3boys]

Take caffeine out of your diet, i.e. Coke, tea, coffee, some choice, go for decaf in tea and coffee, I hope you improve soon, take care of yourself, don't do to much 💕💕xx

[Huskywomen in reply to Huskywomen]

Chocolate I mean lol x

[Jane123456 in reply to Huskywomen]

There are some really good Raw chocolate makes on the market. Often from farm shops rather than supermarkets or online. My favourite is enjoyrawchocolate.com/

They do a milk chocolate (coconut milk so dairy free) and lots of nice flavours as well as very strong chocolate which is an acquired taste. Enjoy!

[jenny89119 in reply to Huskywomen]

I was told 5 years ago that I have a redundant severe spastic colon with and a tortuosities sigmoid colon. I also have constipation. The diet didn't work for me. I have pain everyday. I have eliminated dairy, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, corn, I was tested for Celiac disease; and I don't have it. I am also getting tested for foods that I have intolerances to.

[Amber17]

Hi I'm new to this group too. I've had IBS for over 20 years and about to try the low fodmaps too. Garlic and onions make me so sick so it's a trigger for me! I'm gluten intolerant and pre menopausal so lots of weird hormones going around my body and I am always bloated, need to loose a couple of stones. I live in France so looking into à french dietician to help with this as the products are so different here, it's double the work I find as all info is in English. There are many good websites I've found but still confused about what to eat. Trouble is France is the home of the baguette and garlic, thankfully it hates me! Good luck

[mommyto3boys in reply to Amber17]

It's a tough one isn't it and especially living in a country with a love for bread and cheese. Maybe we can have a go together. I have a new recipe book coming today to try out

[Amber17]

Hi yes very difficult and they are so behind the times here it does my head in. Thankfully I have just found a gluten free fresh bread which is low fodmap, yay! Cheese some of them are low fodmap like Brie which I love and I can get cheddar here, but difficult with this dieting lark, so yes let me know how you get on. I've emailed a French dietician today who's local so fingers crossed she knows low Fodmap! Good luck

[Amber17]

Oh yes also which book have you ordered, I've just got two knew ones which look good

[mommyto3boys in reply to Amber17]

The fodmap friendly kitchen can't wait to try some recipes

[Amber17]

Yes just got that one, it looks good and just about to try a few this coming week. The other one I've just bought is The low fodmap recipe book by Lucy whigham, it too looks good and thankfully I like to cook. I'm going to buy à french one too but they just don't look so good but I can compare some of the ingredients as can't get many no lactose products or diary free replacement cream with out agave syrup in it, another no no for first six to eight weeks. Need to ask what people use on here as sometimes I want a creamy type dish.

[DIANECUMMI]

Hello I have been on FODMAP for a while now whilst I wait for Colonoscopy. I have lost lots of weight but not sure if its the result of FODMAP or something else going on. My main problem seems to be Soya, gluten, onions and mushrooms. To be honest when I try to introduce something its just sets me off so I keep going back to it. Also cut out the caffeine is my advise. Don't eat after 6pm if possible. I only drink Lactose free milk now. Its really hard but it has helped. Not cured but helped. Problem is I am not a great meat eater and I struggle to get protein into my diet.

[Jane123456 in reply to DIANECUMMI]

Have you tried the high protein pseudocereals like Quinoa and Amaranth (both the same family of plants) also Chia seeds.

[DIANECUMMI in reply to Jane123456]

Thank you for this I will try these.

[Popetta]

Hello mommyto3boys and welcome to this support forum!

I too tried the FODMAP diet at initial stages of my IBS diagnosis. This is a very "individual" based condition, and so results will vary from person to person. I trialled it for a long period and to be honest it did nothing for me. No improvement on symptoms (specially the intense lower abdominal pain) and also no good at identifying if any food was a potential "trigger" for symptoms and flare-ups.

So abandoned it, although I continue to maintain a healthy eating pattern and have more or less eliminated certain foods purely based on personal choice. Still continue my struggle with IBS and continue further investigations.

Good luck and I hope it really helps you manage your symptoms.

[Amber17 in reply to Popetta]

I see you have low intense pain, is this a real burning pain, which seems to be constant and always there, sometimes very strong too? I've not fodmapped yet properly but do know certain foods like garlic, onions, dates and cauliflowers are no nos. Interesting to see different peoples ideas on this topic.

[mommyto3boys in reply to Amber17]

I have awful cramping and bloat and it can come in waves

[Popetta in reply to Amber17]

Hello Amber,

For some people, removing these staple items from their diet helps manage their symptoms.

I do not believe my ailments are triggered by foods at all (but then again nobody has identified triggers to this date: neither medics nor myself), nevertheless I removed the above mentioned items from my diet, pain remains the same.

To clarify, when I get the pain, it is not a burning type and does not start after eating. It is an excruciating ongoing pain (can last anything between 7-13 hours non-stop daily) and it feels like they are literally trying to rip my guts out, plus add to that stabbing/piercing pain on the sides of abdomen. Other occasions the stabbing pains are accompanied by strong non-stop contractions which I would compare to child labour!

Sometimes it's so intense it wakes me up from my sleep. No painkillers work and believe me that includes opium derivatives such as Tramadol. So just left there to bear it which you can imagine completely drains my body and stops me from doing my daily activities. I have been to A&E countless times as was so badly doubled in pain.

I recently had to be signed off work for 9-10 days as my body just wasn't fit enough after enduring a really bad flare up.

Hope this answers your question.

[Bfarnell88]

Hi. I am currently on a low fod map diet. I have suffered from constipation since a child and a nervous tummy, bloated stomach, wind. After having gastroenteritis in march the problems got worse & didn't go away, so i had some tests and now I've being told i have IBS.

The fod map diet is very hard but I've being very strict with myself and making sure i follow it. To be honest it is working for me. I had 4 weeks of hardly any pain and going to the toilet everyday which i have never done in my life.

Last week i started to introduce food again, i started with fructose (Mango) and i have being ill for the last week. So it must be working!!!

Im going to wait till the symptoms end and then start my next food. I would defiantly give it a go.

[walker2796 in reply to Bfarnell88]

Hello, I am on day 5 of the FODMAP diet with a dietician, can I ask how far into the diet did you find things improving, I know I am only early on in the diet but I feel not improvement at all and I am being very strict, breakfast is fine and I'm fine on a morning then after my lunch it doesn't matter what I eat my stomach just bloats up and I have really bad wind and bloating all afternoon/ evening

[mommyto3boys]

So far today is kipped breakfast as didn't have anything suitable. For lunch I had a salmon on a bed of spinach topped with creme fraiche with capers,parsley and dash of lemon juice. It was gorgeous. I've been very strict today and im finding it okay chocolate I think I will struggle with as that's my evening treat

[Bfarnell88 in reply to mommyto3boys]

Yeah i struggled with chocolate.

You can have dark chocolate or after eight mints. I don't really like dark chocolate but a piece now & then helps with the craving.

Also Asda free from chocolate chip cookies are nice but can't have many on weight watches.

and sainburys do a free from chocolate orange bar which i have now & then for a treat.

xxx

[mommyto3boys in reply to Bfarnell88]

Luckily I enjoy dark chocolate my new recipe book as some gorgeous fodmap treats to make and try 👌🏻

[mommyto3boys]

Okay day 2 today so far so so good. I enjoyed yesterday's meals and first time ever I've woken up without bloating! Winner. Breakfast was fodmap friendly pancakes out of my new cook book and were a hit with the family!

[Shele121]

Hi. I was quite poorly in January and had recently being diagnosed with IBS. I tried the diet recommended by the doctor and peppermint oil capsules however this just made things worse. I came across the FODMAP diet and downloaded the app and bought some books and started the diet. Within a few weeks it had made such a difference. Far less bloating, bowel movements almost 'normal' and I lost 10lbs over a few months. I've continued to cut out gluten and wheat, reduced my lactose intake by drinking and eating mostly lactose free dairy. Avoid garlic and onion as they definitely play havoc and also avoid a lot of the fruit that is red on FODMAP. I do find though that I can now get away with small amounts of everything once in a while but can't tell you how much better I feel by changing my diet. The other thing to watch out for is artificial sweetners.

[mommyto3boys in reply to Shele121]

Thank you I did read artificial sweeteners can contribute to a flare up day 3 of fodmap diet and I feel a lot better and my energy levels are returning

[Hidden]

Hi there, I can resonate with quite a few replies below. I have found over a period of time that I cannot eat raw carrots, raw or cooked onions (don't know about garlic as I only ever have a small amount in foods i.e. when I cook a curry) and sweetcorn. I am now avoiding caffeine and that does seem to be helping and I am now Lactose free. I am slowly but surely cutting foods out in line with the FODMAP diet but won't be going on it fully until I'm back from my holiday in September.

I have to say though since cutting Lactose and caffeine from my diet I am starting to feel much better - I used to get a fair bit of nausea.

I have read on here that people have lost weight on the diet and that would help me as well as I am now 9st and 9lbs and that is 9lbs more than my normal weight and it's collected all round the middle. Probably doesn't help that I am 58 and have been going through the menopause for a few years now. Luckily enough I love power walking, walking and cycling but can't do too much at the moment as I stupidly went jogging twice last week and have damaged my knee so am in pain a fair bit - I won't be going jogging every again!!

Best of luck with the diet and it looks like it's working for you - yay

[mommyto3boys in reply to Hidden]

Yes it is I've now gone lactose free and cut all wheat and gluten. Caffeine is going to be hard but I'm saying that it does not affect me. I'm very active also with a horse as well as lots of walking and chasing after 3 children so my days are very busy!

[Hidden in reply to mommyto3boys]

Lactose is definitely a problem with a lot of us and I have read that we really aren't designed to have milk, particularly adults. I'm more than happy with caffeine free so that's good. Oh my goodness, your days are very busy with a horse (I adore horses, such beautiful animals) as well as your 3 children.

[Lulu_75]

Hi all. I'm just ending my 8 week elimination phase and am delighted that my belly is MUCH happier as a result with very little bloating and pretty normal BMs every day. I'd suffered ibs symptoms all my adult life for c. 25 years. I was eventually referred to an nhs dietician and a gastro consultant last year after a severe change in my symptoms triggered by a cocktail of meds for a back spasm. I'd previously alternated between C and D but was D predominant with lots of bloating. After a course of codeine, diazepam and naproxen my gut essentially ground to a halt (and felt like it had been ground up). I was bloated with content that wouldn't shift, wind and water retention. I was eventually recommended the low Fodmap diet. The 1st 2 weeks were quite soul destroying and as a low carber I worried about extra cals from higher rice and gluten free product intake. But in week 3 my symptoms improved and I quickly lost 6lbs which I've largely kept off despite a 10 day hol in northern spain where they speak little English... so trying to explain your barmy medical diet was virtually impossible. Long story short it's worked wonders for me and while it may not help everyone it's worth a try. I'm due to reintroduce fructans this week. For those who'll miss onions/garlic my top tip is asofetida powder. I liberally chuck that in nearly all dinners for onion/garlic flavour. Oh and Ricola sweets are expensive but have no dodgy sweeteners! And oatibix flakes are filling and the right sort of soluble fibre. I wish everyone trying fodmap all the best! (Sorry this is so long!) Lulu x

[Hidden in reply to Lulu_75]

That's fabulous news Lulu and I'm so glad it has worked for you. I'm not under a dietician but am slowly but surely cutting things out of my diet myself. I have the latest FODMAP list of foods that are allowed as Kate Scarlata updated the list a couple or so days ago. I try not to overload with too many carbs - I tend to eat oats for breakfast on most days, sandwich for lunch (I will be reviewing this once on the FODMAP i.e. I have bought some oatcakes in readiness) and my evening meals are made up of a piece of protein, my favourite being a piece of salmon, and some sweet potatoes (I know to follow the FODMAP diet I will have to cut down on these).

I have to say that by cutting out the things I have so far I am starting to feel much better i.e. caffeine free, Lactose free, no raw carrots or onions, no onions, no sweetcorn and slowly but surely the symptoms are improving. I will be on the FODMAP diet fully when I come back from holiday.

So so glad you are much better and well done for persevering.

Alicia