Chickpeas are generally a high FODMAP food due to their galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) content. However, if you eat ¼ cup or less of canned chickpeas that have been rinsed and drained, they are actually low FODMAP. This is because FODMAPs are water-soluble and leach out of the chickpeas into the brine of the can.
Chickpeas can be eaten on the low FODMAP diet but only in certain forms. When chickpeas are initially harvested from the ground in their raw form, they are not FODMAP friendly. Interestingly, they do have a lower FODMAP content than many other legumes. But sadly that content is still too high for you on the diet.
Is Hummus Low FODMAP? Yes, in small amounts. This rich and creamy chickpea based dip is enlivened with lemon juice, cumin, garlic-infused olive oil and tahini. Up to ¼ cup (42 g) of canned and drained chickpeas are allowed.
Start with channa dal, urad dal, and chickpeas (lowest in FODMAPs), then try red or green lentils. Last, try the higher-FODMAP varieties: soy, borlotti, lima, red kidney beans, and split peas (highest!).
Legumes and pulses
The following are considered low FODMAP and should be tolerated by most people: Canned chickpeas. Canned lentils.
Legumes, or beans, are often called the “musical fruit” because they contain indigestible saccharides. Baked beans, chickpeas, lentils and soybeans have high amounts. So IBS patients should avoid them, or eat them in very small quantities.
Rich in protein and fiber, chickpeas are also low-glycemic carbohydrates and full of inflammation-fighting nutrients.
A small serving of avocado (1.1 ounces) is low in FODMAPs and unlikely to cause symptoms, even among people who are sensitive to FODMAPs. It should be noted that avocado oil, a type of oil made from avocados, does not contain any carbs and is FODMAP-free. Therefore, it's safe for those who are sensitive to FODMAPs.
Carrots are a FODMAP-free food. Enjoy according to your appetite. Dijon Mustard is low FODMAP in servings of 1 tablespoon or 23 grams. Garlic-infused oil is a popular way to add low FODMAP garlic flavor on the low FODMAP diet.
Sourdough is one of the best tolerated breads on the low FODMAP, plus its super healthy and good for those gut bugs.
Low-FODMAP dairy foods include: Cheddar cheese, cream, feta cheese, lactose-free milk and Parmesan cheese.
Aged cheeses include Cheddar, Camembert, Cheshire, Pecorino Style, Swiss, Brie, Blue Cheese, Havarti, or Parmesan. These are low FODMAP cheese options and they are normally well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.
If you are a vegetarian, you may find that it is challenging to meet your protein needs without eating beans and legumes. Sometimes small amounts of well-rinsed, canned lentils or chickpeas are well tolerated by people with IBS.
Broccoli can be low FODMAP, depending on the part and serving size. Florets (or the darker green heads) are lower in FODMAPs than the stalks (the lighter green part). Broccoli florets are low FODMAP in servings of ¾ cup or 75 grams. Broccoli stalks have a smaller low FODMAP serving of ⅓ cup or 45 grams.
Beans, lentils and chickpeas are notorious for their ability to cause bloating and wind thanks to their high fibre content. Despite this, you may not need to avoid them altogether. Many people tolerate canned legumes better than they do dried varieties.
Zucchini (Marrow)
According to Monash University's FODMAP food experts, a single 65g serving of zucchini is low in FODMAPs, and should be fine for people with a range of IBS sensitivities.
Fresh tomatoes are in the low FODMAP category, so can be eaten freely and according to appetite. However, just before you go and throw plain crushed canned tomatoes into your low FODMAP pasta dish, beware that canned tomatoes have higher levels of fructose compared to fresh tomatoes.
Peanut Butter in the United States is considered low FODMAP in servings of 2 tablespoons or 32 grams. Double-check labels and avoid products containing higher FODMAP ingredients like molasses or high fructose corn syrup. My go-to is Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter.
Well, the low FODMAP diet works, in part, by starving your gut bacteria4. For a short period, this can help bring your system back into balance. However, in the long-term, this likely isn't a very good idea because a healthy gut flora is important for digestive health, nervous system health and immune function.
The most common digestive disorder affected by an intolerance to FODMAPs is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, apart from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD).
The solution is to deliberately increase your intake of fiber from low FODMAP foods: eat a wide variety of low FODMAP fruits and vegetables, low FODMAP grains and legumes, and small servings of low FODMAP nuts and seeds.
Chickpeas are made up of oligosaccharides, sugars that are also found in other foods like rye, onions, and garlic. Since they are highly concentrated in chickpeas, a lot of it has to pass through our system, causing longer and more severe bouts of bloating or uneasiness.
When it comes to nutrition, lentils have a leg up on chickpeas in most areas . Lentils have fewer calories and carbohydrates, more fiber and protein, and greater amounts of iron, vitamins B6 and B9, and phosphorous.