People who have intolerances to FODMAPs foods may suffer gas, bloating, pain, diarrhea, or increased pathogenic bacteria as a result of certain carbohydrates fermenting.
The low FODMAPs strategy is a dietary approach that is growing in popularity for IBS sufferers.
Many of my patients have found relief when I’ve helped them through the FODMAP method. It’s clinically demonstrated to help 75% of patients improve their IBS symptoms.
Recently, I wrote about how your health foods could be triggering digestive symptoms. The low FODMAP diet could be an important component for you in reducing those symptoms. Read that article here.
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Listen to this terrific interview with renowned FODMAPs expert, Patsy Catsos, as she describes:
- What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? (functional problem, symptoms)
- How FODMAPs trigger IBS symptoms
- Who should give the FODMAP elimination diet a try
- How the FODMAPs plan works
- When to use FODMAPs vs have food sensitivity testing
- Why Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) matters with FODMAPs
Work with an expert
Many people have underlying causes for FODMAPs sensitivities and IBS, and these should be addressed by working with a knowledgeable Physician and Registered Dietitian (RD).
As Kate Scarlata, RD & IBS experts says,
The low FODMAP diet is an evidenced based elimination diet shown to manage symptoms in 75% of those with IBS. The majority of the studies on the low FODMAP diet utilized a Registered Dietitian (RD) to help implement the diet. Work with an RD knowledgeable in the low FODMAP diet to be sure you are following it correctly. The diet has many nuances making it a challenging diet to implement on your own.
You may wish to get yourself a book to help you.
Resources I recommend:
- IBS: Free at Last! Change Your Carbs, Change Your Life with the FODMAP Elimination Diet, by Patsy Catsos
- Flavor without FODMAPs Cookbook: Love the Foods that Love You Back, by Patsy Catsos
- The Complete Low-FODMAP Diet: A Revolutionary Plan for Managing IBS and Other Digestive Disorders by Susan Shepard
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Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD is a medical nutrition therapist, FODMAP expert, and author. The focus of her Portland, Maine practice is digestive health, including irritable bowel syndrome, gluten-related disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Discover more at her website here.
Follow her FODMAPs Pinterest resource board here.
Have you tried the low FODMAP approach to IBS treatment? Share your story in the comments below!
References:
- J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Feb;25(2):252-8. Evidence-based dietary management of functional gastrointestinal symptoms: The FODMAP approach. Gibson PR1, Shepherd SJ
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Stanford Health Care
- Patsy Catsos, MS, RD
- Kate Scarlata, RD
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4 responses to “How a low FODMAPs diet can improve your digestion and IBS”
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s
posts everyday along with a mug of coffee.
It seems to be very difficult to get medical advice and help with this. My doctor is clueless and suggested I go on clear liquids. I’m wondering if help from a registered dietitian could be covered under insurance.
Hi Susan,
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling. Doctors are rarely trained in nutrition – they tend to get one class or less in medical school. Nutrition is an ongoing specialty, and medical doctors usually don’t have time to add that to their focus when they start practicing. It’s great to see an RD or Certified Nutritionist (less common than an RD) who specializes in digestive health, as FODMAPs elimination is just one piece in helping your digestion repair. I recommend asking your insurance these questions to understand what insurance will cover. Here are the questions:
Make sure to let them know you are wanting to see a “Registered Dietitian”, as this is when insurance will provide maximum visits.
Be sure to write down what the insurance company tells you, and keep the record.
How many nutrition visits you are permitted per year with this plan?
Your Co-pay?_________ Co-insurance?____________
Your Deductible? _______ Amt of deductible that’s been met __________
Is a physician’s referral required to see a Dietitian?
Are preventive services covered? Are medical services covered?
Reference number, date and time for the call:
I hope this helps. I’ve helped a lot of people with their digestion, and when you put your mind to it, you will get results. =0)
I notice you state the FODMAP diet or method has been “clinically demonstrated to help 75% of patients.” What clinical study published the “75%” statistic? I would like to read it. Is it the 2010 Gibson/Shepherd study you list under References? If so, where can I find a full copy of this study? I have been able to find only the abstract online.