Created by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, the low-FODMAP diet is a science-backed way for people with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS to figure out which foods trigger their symptoms so they can limit or eliminate them from their diet. FODMAPs (the acronym stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are short-chain carbohydrates, or sugars, found in foods like apples, asparagus, and dairy products, that people with IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders sometimes have difficulty digesting properly — leading to abdominal pain and other common IBS symptoms. The diet consists of three phases, according to Monash University: The authors of a June 2016 review article published in Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology presented scientific evidence showing the low-FODMAP diet effectively alleviated IBS symptoms, with as many as 86 percent of IBS patients experiencing symptom improvement after trying the diet. Sounds promising, right? While the low-FODMAP diet for IBS can be a key part of your symptom management toolbox, the diet is complex, often leaving the door open for misunderstandings and mistakes. “Unfortunately, often the first time people hear about the FODMAP diet is from simply being given a handout with an extensive list of foods [to avoid] by the doctor,” says Julie Stefanski, RDN, CDCES, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “People with IBS often get overwhelmed or simply confused by staring at a convoluted food list, often containing foods they’ve never even heard of.” Here are four common mistakes dietitians see people make with the low-FODMAP diet — and how to avoid them.
1. Go It Alone Without a Dietitian’s Help
Because of its complexity, it’s vital for anyone with IBS who wants to try the low-FODMAP diet to truly understand the requirements of the diet before starting, says Angela Lemond, RDN, the CEO and co-owner of Lemond Nutrition in Lubbock, Texas, and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “If you try to navigate it on your own in the wrong way, you’re not going to get the results you’re looking for,” Lemond warns. What to do instead: Both Stefanski and Lemond recommend connecting with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who can help you understand each phase of the diet and answer any questions you have before you start. “An RDN acts as a tour guide to help someone navigate through the FODMAP diet, choosing the right path that will help them feel better,” says Stefanski.
2. Eliminate Too Many FODMAP-Containing Foods Indefinitely
When taking on the low-FODMAP diet, many people mistakenly believe they have to do away with all FODMAP-containing foods for good, which is simply not the case, says Lemond. “The problem with this is, a lot of the foods that contain FODMAPs are also very healthy for you, and overall, they’re really good for digestion,” she says. Stefanski echoes this advice. “Not every food on the FODMAP diet is going to make someone ill. It’s important to remove only the foods that are actually causing a problem,” Stefanski says. Eliminating too many foods from your diet can result in nutritional deficiencies, Lemond explains. And if a patient does need to stay away from certain foods, a dietitian will aim to replace those lost nutrients with another source, whether it’s other foods or nutritional supplements, she notes. Not to mention — swearing off multiple foods can cause you unnecessary stress in social situations like dining out, Lemond adds. What to do instead: According to Monash University, the elimination phase of the low-FODMAP diet should last only two to six weeks. After you complete the elimination phase, be sure to work with your dietitian to reincorporate high-FODMAP foods into your diet and determine which ones are the culprits and which ones don’t worsen your symptoms, say Stefanski and Lemond.
3. Overindulge in Low-FODMAP Foods
Although some foods are lower in FODMAPs than others, a low-FODMAP food can easily become a high-FODMAP food if you eat a lot of it, says Lemond. “The FODMAPs add up. Even if something is a low-FODMAP food, if you eat five cups of this food, it may not be low-FODMAP anymore. So, that’s where it can get kind of tricky,” she explains. What to do instead: Lemond recommends Monash University’s FODMAP Diet app ($7.99), which uses visual aids to show the FODMAP levels found in different foods. “The app puts each food as a red light, green light, or yellow light, and you can search specific foods to see exactly what FODMAP the food is high in,” she explains.
4. Believe the Low-FODMAP Diet Will Cure IBS
Stefanski and Lemond agree: The low-FODMAP diet should be just one part of a multipronged approach to managing IBS symptoms. They recommend finding strategies to manage stress and anxiety as well, which can be major symptom triggers. According to Lemond, people with IBS have greater sensitivity in the nerves in their digestive tract, and they often fire during times of high stress, such as during an exam or a work presentation. “Sometimes people have to realize that it’s not just the actual food you’re eating. It’s that you have a sensitive stomach, and during times of high anxiety, your stomach is going to hurt regardless of what’s in it,” Lemond says. What to do instead: Work on a stress-management plan with your IBS treatment team. Regular engagement in stress-busting activities like mindfulness meditation can help, says Lemond. And Stefanski recommends consulting a licensed therapist to help keep stress and anxiety at bay.
