FODMAP Diet

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RNatalie83
RNatalie83 Posts: 20
in Food and Nutrition
On the advice of my GI specialist I am going to start the FODMAP diet to see if I can control my IBS with dietary changes. It seems like 90% of what I eat is restricted on this diet. Anyone on MFP currently on this diet? Has it worked for you? Any tips for someone just starting out? Thanks!

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  • KenCarden
    KenCarden Posts: 3
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    I found the FODMAP diet and research on the web after the VA ran every medical test known to man on me for over a year and finally concluded that there was nothing they could do. It works, but it is life changing.

    The best advice I can give is to strictly following the elimination phase. And eat small meals and snacks.

    Once you are back to "normal," add in only one FODMAP at a time. Myfitnesspal is one of your best friends - log everything.

    Much of the safe food research is out of Australia. Many of their foods can't be found in supermarkets here, so you'll have to read a lot of ingredients. And that's especially true when you travel - no fast food till you've research ingredients online. (Tip - Mexican coca cola still uses sugar).

    I have lost 29 lbs and don't have bloating or diarrhea. Life changing, but in a very good way.
  • RNatalie83
    RNatalie83 Posts: 20
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    I know it will be rought starting out but I would give just about anything to get some relief. I have been having a hard time figuring out which foods are and eat not allowed on the diet. Some plans say you can't eat cucumber or broccoli while others don't mention them. Also, are all beans excluded? Do you have a good list that you used when you were on the elimination phase? How long did you restrict before you started to add foods back? Any information is very much appreciated! Thanks!
  • EbbySoo
    EbbySoo Posts: 267 Member
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    FODMAP foods really are I found geared to people who have IBS-D rather than IBS-C, When I tried FODMAP I actually had a worse IBS-C flare than following my usual diet (high fruit, high fiber, higher carbs). I need the extra fruits and certain fibrous carbs to keep my digestion going smoothly. Personally I find just avoiding excess stress, alcohol, white potatoes, pasta, certain nuts, brussel sprouts and bananas (unless I've swung the other way) seems to work for me. I wish you good luck though. I don't think I could go without my broccoli or cucumber, lol. I restricted 2 weeks before I gave up and started eating my regular fare that I consider safe. Have you joined the IBS Support Group Facebook page and forum? Excellent info and people to relate with on there.

    http://www.facebook.com/ibsgroup The Facebook page.
  • RNatalie83
    RNatalie83 Posts: 20
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    Thanks Ebby. I have mainly IBS-D. I know there are certain foods that I need to avoid like corn, blueberries, grapefruit, anything high fat and alcohol. I've also been taking a probiotic which has greatly lessened my symptoms. I know there are other foods that bother me that I haven't quite figured out. I am hoping that this diet will help me figure them out. I know I can't stick to this forever, and it really isn't recommended that you do. I am willing to try anything once!
  • alexsmith01
    alexsmith01 Posts: 350 Member
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    FODMAP foods really are I found geared to people who have IBS-D rather than IBS-C, When I tried FODMAP I actually had a worse IBS-C flare than following my usual diet (high fruit, high fiber, higher carbs). I need the extra fruits and certain fibrous carbs to keep my digestion going smoothly. Personally I find just avoiding excess stress, alcohol, white potatoes, pasta, certain nuts, brussel sprouts and bananas (unless I've swung the other way) seems to work for me. I wish you good luck though. I don't think I could go without my broccoli or cucumber, lol. I restricted 2 weeks before I gave up and started eating my regular fare that I consider safe. Have you joined the IBS Support Group Facebook page and forum? Excellent info and people to relate with on there.

    http://www.facebook.com/ibsgroup The Facebook page.

    Have you read the Hungry Hungry Hippie blog? The girl on there has IBS-C and the FODMAP diet is working for her - I have IBS-C and I've had no luck with gluten-free, vegan, or low-starch diets on their own so I'm going to try the FODMAP. Obviously if you have found what triggers it for you then that's awesome though, no need to restrict your food any more. Agree with stress though, even if I am having a good couple of weeks (very rare), if stress comes along, nothing happens in that area until the stress is gone! Haha TMI?
  • momtokgo
    momtokgo Posts: 446 Member
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    I was also advised to change my diet to deal with my IBS-D along with medication....but my doc didn't know what to suggest I change. Helpful.

    All you can really do is Guess and Test. Go off everything for a bit and slowly, one at a time with 3-4 days between new foods, add things back in. But there could be things that are not on the FODMAP diet that bother you too, its not a one size fits all type issue.
  • silvermist2013
    silvermist2013 Posts: 7 Member
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    Is there a FODMAP group in MFP?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
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    My sister did something similar years ago (before people did FODMAP) and the way it worked was she isolated the foods that were issues by reintroducing things. Now there are only a relatively small number of things she can't eat.
  • doglover2015
    doglover2015 Posts: 8
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    I have IBS-C. Does anyone know what kind of foods that would be good for that instead of fiber and I don't want to eat a lot of carbs.

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