While I am a fully licensed physician in Kansas, this communication does not constitute personal medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship. See your own physician to discuss your particular diagnosis and treatment
In another post, I spoke about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). In that post, one of the potential treatment recommendations for SIBO is a low FODMAP diet. This piece is essential for understanding FODMAP's.
FODMAP DIET
Meaning: Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols
Foods to meet this criteria: Fructose found in fruits and vegetables, lactose found in dairy, fructans found in foods such as grains like wheat, spelt, rye, and barley, galactans found in legumes, polyols found in xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, and mannitol (sugar alcohol sweeteners).
Theory: In the small intestines, these foods attract water. When these foods reach the colon they get fermented and are used by gut bacteria for fuel. The byproduct of this process is methane and hydrogen. The increased water content can cause intestinal distention. This may lead to gas, bloating, stomach pain, cramps, and constipation. Some people suffer from diarrhea.
This diet has been studied in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Some studies indicate that 75% of people affected with irritable bowel syndrome can improve with a low FODMAP diet. When implementing this restriction diet, initial strict elimination phase should be for 2 to 6 weeks duration. After this, for 8 to 12 weeks, patients may try to gradually reintroduce foods to assess results and refine what works for them.
Expanded list of high FODMAP foods-COULD MAKE SYMPTOMS WORSE.
Fruits: Apples, applesauce, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, canned fruit, cherries, dates, figs, peaches, pears, and watermelon
Sweeteners: Fructose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol
Dairy products: Ice cream, milk, yogurt, soft cheese, sour cream, whey protein supplements
Vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, beet root, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, fennel, garlic, leaks, mushrooms, okra, onions, peas, shallots
Legumes: Beans, baked beans, chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans, soy beans
Wheat: Biscuits, bread, breakfast cereal, crackers, pancakes, pasta, tortillas, waffles
Other grains: Barley, rye
Drinks: Beer, wine, fruit juices, milk, soft drinks with high fructose corn syrup, soy milk
SAFE foods on low FODMAP diet
Meat, fish, eggs, fats, oils, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemons, lime, mandarins, melons (except watermelon), oranges, passion fruit, raspberries, strawberries, maple syrup, molasses, Stevia, hard cheese, alfalfa, Bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, chives, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, green beans, kale, lettuce, olives, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, water chestnuts, zucchini, corn, oats, quinoa, rice, sorghum, tapioca, water, coffee, tea
I hope this information helps you and your loved ones!
Jason Williams, D.O.