“The low FODMAP diet isn't meant for weight loss, but you can lose weight on it because it eliminates so many foods. For someone at an already too low weight, losing more can be dangerous.”
A person with IBS may try to eliminate certain high FODMAP foods from their diet and choose safer foods instead. This approach can lead to weight gain if their chosen foods are high in carbohydrates and fats. A low FODMAP diet does exclude a range of nutritious foods.
Most FODMAP-trained dietitians have reported it takes an average of 2-4 weeks to see noticable changes. But at the end of the day, it depends on your body. Some people have reported seeing changes in the first few days, while others see a shift right at the 4-week mark.
There is also concern that long-term restriction of high-FODMAP foods changes the makeup of bacterial colonies in the gut, which may negatively impact intestinal health and possibly worsen digestive issues over time. Oligosaccharides, in particular, are an important energy source for beneficial bacteria.
“We recommend following the elimination portion of the diet for only two to six weeks,” says Veloso.
You can assess your symptom response to a low FODMAP diet using the food and symptom diary in the Monash University low FODMAP App™. This diary allows you to track changes in your IBS symptoms as you follow the diet. Alternatively, you can rate the improvement in your IBS symptoms on a simple, 0 to 100 scale.
Once your GP has examined you for other conditions, such as coeliac disease, this diet can help you reset your gut, ease your symptoms whilst you work on the underlying causes of your gut issues, ideally with a health professional. It can help you to isolate the types of foods that are causing your symptoms.
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.
Can I have a cheat day while on the low FODMAP diet? The good news is that cheating with high FODMAP foods will not damage your body but they might make you feel rotten.
Weight loss for people with IBS is very possible. We recommend implementing methods such as choosing protein over carbs, trying low-FODMAP foods, drinking plenty of water, avoiding junk food, and increasing physical activity in your everyday routine to successfully manage and even lose weight.
Portion sizes are crucial on a low-FODMAP diet. Just because a food is classed as low FODMAP doesn't mean you can eat it in unlimited quantities, and some high-FODMAP foods are safe to eat in small portions. The goal of a low-FODMAP diet is to reduce the overall level of FODMAPs – it's not a FODMAP-free diet.
One reason the low-FODMAP diet may not work is that you may not have IBS but actually have another disorder. Your healthcare provider may need to do more tests, or you may need to go to a specialist. Other possible diagnoses include: Inflammatory bowel disease.
Some people might find relief in a few days; others can take a couple of weeks. So, if your symptoms persist, it's time to start troubleshooting so you can decide if you want to continue with the FODMAP diet or move on to a different strategy.
The three phases of the low FODMAP diet are elimination, reintroduction, and integration.
Coffee is low FODMAP, but caffeine can be an irritant for many people, those with IBS and even those without, hence the confusion. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a gut irritant,so although it may be low FODMAP, there are still other issues to address.
The low-FODMAP diet has a high predicted success rate for people with IBS, but up to 25% may not benefit. For all other conditions, research is more limited, but there's reason to believe it may help with symptom management in cases of SIBO, IBD and functional dyspepsia.
Rice is a great staple food on the low FODMAP diet. To date, Monash University has tested white, brown, basmati, and red rice and each is low FODMAP in 1 cup or 190-gram servings of cooked rice.
Traditional sourdough breads made from wheat, wholemeal wheat, and spelt flours are low FODMAP because they contain reduced levels of fructans (2). This means they can make a great low FODMAP bread option.
Unlike gluten sensitivity, FODMAP intolerance is not an immune reaction. Instead, the condition is an intolerance to certain types of food. This food intolerance is due to bacteria in the colon that ferment carbohydrates and to the presence of too much water in the large intestine, leading to diarrhea.
The low FODMAP diet can compromise your fibre intake as lots of high FODMAP foods are also high in fibre. So, this reduction in fibre intake can make constipation worse, and you might actually feel worse on this diet.