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Treating IBS with the FODMAP Diet

By Emily Glynn

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Functional disorder of the large

intestines (colon)

• No visible damage to the gastrointestinal

tract

What is IBS?

Symptoms include cramping, bloating, flatulence (gas), constipation, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain

Certain foods are

not absorbed in

the small intestine

Pass into the large

intestine or colon

Fermented by bacteria

Leads to gas and bloating

What Causes Some of the Symptoms of IBS?

Certain foods have an osmotic

effect

Cause excess

water to be pulled into

the digestive system

Leads to irregular motility of the bowels

(usually diarrhea)

Collection of sugars regularly consumed in the diet Poorly digested and absorbed by everyone, but affect

people with IBS more severely The FODMAP diet was developed at Monash University

in Melbourne to help IBS sufferers manage and reduce their symptoms

Focuses on limiting consumption of high FODMAP foods

What are FODMAPs?

What does FODMAP stand for?

Oligosaccharides Fructans

Asparagus, onion, and garlic Wheat and rye Inulin (chicory root extract)

Galactans Beans, lentils, legumes, and soy

Found in all dairy products that contain lactose

Include milk, ice cream, and soft cheeses

The more lactose, the harder the food is to digest

Disaccharides

Monosaccharides

Present in foods with excess fructose Found in many fruits, including apples,

stone fruits, and watermelon Natural sweeteners, such as honey

and agave High fructose corn syrup

Polyols Also known as sugar alcohols Most commonly used are sorbitol,

mannitol, isomalt, and xylitol Found in sugar-free gums, mints, and

candies Also occur naturally in apples and stone

fruits (peaches, plums, avocado, etc.)

Food Group Foods to AvoidProtein Sources Meats made with high FODMAP sauces,

beans, legumes, lentils, hummus, soy and coconut products

Dairy Milk, ice cream, whipped cream, sour cream, yogurt, soft cheese (ricotta, cottage)

Grains Wheat products, grains with HFCS or inulin/chicory root extract

Fruits Avocado, apples, dried/canned fruit, mango, stone fruit, watermelon, coconut

Vegetables Artichokes, asparagus, beets, onions, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, fennel, green beans, mushroom, snow peas, okra summer squash

Seasonings & Condiments HFCS, honey, agave, jam/jelly, onions, garlic, pickles, relish, artificial sweeteners

Foods to Avoid on the FODMAP Diet

Foods to Enjoy on the FODMAP Diet

Food Groups Foods to EnjoyProtein Sources Red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cold cuts

Dairy Lactose-free dairy products, hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella), butter

Grains Wheat & gluten free grains

Fruits Bananas, berries, cantaloupe, honeydew grapes, citrus, pineapple, kiwi

Vegetables Bell peppers, bok choy, cucumber, carrots, celery, eggplant, lettuce, greens, potatoes, yams, zucchini, tomatoes

Seasonings & Condiments Most spices and herbs, chives, flaxseed, garlic and onion powder, olives, mayonnaise, olive oil, salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar, maple syrup, sugar

Following the FODMAP Diet

Seek help from a nutrition professional Everyone is has a different threshold for

certain FODMAPs General recommendation is to cut out

FODMAPs for six weeks, then slowly reintroduce them one at a time

Remember that this diet is not forever.

Sources

Horn, Jason. (2007, Apr. 10). Why can lactose-intolerant people eat some cheeses and not

others? Retrieved from http://www.chow.com/food-news/53922/why-can-lactose-intolerant-people-eat-some- cheeses-and-not-others/

Iannelli, L & Halmos, E. (2012). Information About Low FODMAP Diet to Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptom Control. Retrieved from http://media.wix.com/ugd/83219a_0740c68fddd4f0d43e0a916792cd60c6.pdf

(2011, Jun. 29). Irritable bowel syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106

    Scarlata, K. (2010, Aug.). The FODMAPs Approach: Minimize

Consumption of Fermentable Carbs to Manage Functional Gut Disorder Symptoms. Today’s Dietitian, 12. Retrieved from http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml

Strealy, N. (2012, Jun. 19). Tip #6 avoid polyols. Retrieved from http://www.diarrheadietitian.com/?p=149

(2012, Aug.). The Low FODMAP Diet (FODMAP=fermentable oligo-di-monosaccharides and

polyols. Retrieved from http://stanfordhospital.org/digestivehealth/nutrition/DH-Low-FODMAP-Diet- Handout.pdf