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Fodmap diet

Posted , 32 users are following.

Wilkins
Wilkins

After having IBS for 16 years, I was recently told by my dietitian about a Fodmap diet. I have been very strict and can honestly say I have had no symptoms. I can not believe the difference in my body.

5 likes, 43 replies

43 Replies

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  • marion31442
    marion31442 Wilkins

    Posted

    I have been seeing a gastroenterologist for over 10 years now as I am wheat and lactose intolerant. She is now referring me to a dietician who specialises in the fodmap diet. My diet is very restricted now and I was wondering how I would cope? I am loosing weight and suffer with severe constipation.
    • graham9772
      graham9772 marion31442

      Posted

      I hope the dietician is really good for you.

      I have been told to drink at least 2 litres of water every day for constipation and general health.    It was stressed that this meant water in addition to cups of tea or coffee.   Sometimes I feel like I can't swallow any more water and it tends to go straight through.   I'm not sure that it helps but I dont want to stop drinking it to find out.

      Cheers

  • libralady13
    libralady13 Wilkins

    Posted

    Have heard about the fodmap diet and was wondering how IBS constipation sufferers would benefit from it.  It seems quite strict.  I know myself as a IBS sufferer that if I go one day with out proper diet (ie not enough fruit veg or wholemeal bread) then I am in for a bout of constipation.  I did google this and some had said that fodmap had made their constipation worse and that some

    doctors are wary of it too.  I would appreciate your views and and anyone else on the forum.  I do think that most of my symptoms are caused by stress and anxiety which I suffer from. I also have other health problems  Thank you.

    • graham9772
      graham9772 libralady13

      Posted

      Dear Librelady

      I can't comment on your particular circumstances.   It soumds like you have already a problem with constipation but I dont think the FODMAP diet necessarily makes it worse.  There are still lots of fruit and veg you can eat.

      The really strict FODMAP diet is meant to be a transition for 8 to 12 weeks where you determine which of the FODMAP foods your body can and cant tolerate.   After thjat you should be on a diet with only a few things excluded.

      It depends how bad your current situation is.   If your doctor can give you things to get you through the exclusion diet you might come out the other end much happier

      If ibs is spoiling your life then talk to your doctor and perhaps give the diet a chance.   If you do decide to go FODMAP free for a while don't cheat    do it absolutely and determindedly.   A small mistake can completely confuse the result and then you will not know if avoiding some foods will revolutuionise your chance of good health.

      There is a potential downside so I suggest you discuss it with your doctor.

      If it was me I would try the diet and attempt to manage any side effects.

      Dont forget the FODMAP diet is meant to be a short term diet to determine what your body needs you to exclude in the future.

    • libralady13
      libralady13 graham9772

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply and advice.  I did not realise that the really strict fodmap diet was meant to be a transition diet.  I am certainly going to look at it but I am going away soon for Christmas so in the New year will try it.

      Merry Christmas to you.

    • graham9772
      graham9772 libralady13

      Posted

      Glad to hear it.   The hopeful outcome of the FODMAP diet is that you will have a list of some foods you must not eat (probably onions and garlic will be there ) and other foods that you can tolerate in small quantities.

      To many people this is an extremely good outcome.

      Although you have to adhere strictly to the diet there are a surprising number of foods that yoiu can eat and your attention should be on widening slecting the full range of allowable foods.   I find myself taking the easy way and eating steak on steak with a steak desert wher I couls hacve salmon with potatoes, carrots, and a range of other things that you like.   Desert can include pineapple, orange pavlova, rock melon and some other things.  In Australia there is at least one brand of FODMAP friendly bread.   But you have top watch out all the time.   In Australia maost jams have apple or pear as fillers.   Then the manufacturer can claim 100% fruit so even though you hoped you would get 100% strawberries he has conformed to the law.   But not the FODMAP law!    Read the list and buy food that is allowed then its easy to restrict what you eat. 

      Its important not to make even a small mistake at first or you will get all depressed because the diet doesn't work whereas in fact it may be the answer to your dreams.

      Sweet Dreams and have a good Christmas.

    • graham9772
      graham9772

      Posted

      I just remembered that a dietician told me that if the FODMAP diet caused constipation then make sure I walk for an hour a day and drink at least 2 litres of plain water.   She said not to include tea or coffee in the 2 litres.

      Worth a try but 2 litres will be hard work.

      Graham

  • marion31442
    marion31442 Wilkins

    Posted

    I have just seen a Dietician at my local hospital today and have been given a 4 week elimination programme for the Fodmap Diet. I have to see her again in 4 weeks. So we shall see how it goes.
    • graham9772
      graham9772 marion31442

      Posted

      Hi Marion

      We will all be watching for news.

      I found that it took about 10 weeks or so for it to have a full effect.   I am on the FODMAP diet for restless leg syndrome rather than IBS so perhaps its different though I have heard of others whose RLS stopped on the first day of their FODMAP diet.

      I wish you luck

      Graham

  • Jules_4686
    Jules_4686 Wilkins

    Posted

    Hi, this is my first visit to this forum. I have recently found the Monash university FODMAP diet and do believe it works wonders. I have the App which is very helpful but of course find it covers mostly Australian foods. I try to be strict and then my symptoms will return with avengence. I have suffered for over 20 years with various different gps looking at me as if I am going completely crazy and not offer much help. I am hoping to find a FODMAP dietician who can guide me as I feel my diet is very limited, so find I am eating lots of the same foods. Something is upsetting me badly at the moment and I can only put it down to Parma ham or carbonated sparkling water. The FODMAP information I have doesn't tell me if either of these are a problem. -Any help would amazing. Thank you.

  • jill94724
    jill94724 Wilkins

    Posted

    I'm struggling to with the FODMAP diet. Recently saw my GP who was very supportive., but gave me Amytriptaline tablets to help. But they have lactose in! Apparantly low doses help those with IBS.

    Also, I live inNorth Cumbria and cannot find a dietician specializing in FODMAP, either NHS or private!

    Anyone got any ideas?

  • kmj2016
    kmj2016 Wilkins

    Posted

    apologies i know this is an oldish thread but just wondered if anyone had had any luck finding a dairy free yoghurt that is also low FODMAP? I have a dairy intolerance as well as IBS & crohns - following the FODMAP diet has done wonders for my symptoms but find it really restrictive without dairy!

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