Beat the Bloat!

Suffering From Belly Bloat This Bathing Suit Season?

If IBS is to blame, the low FODMAP diet may be the answer. Designed to fix the gut, this diet has a 75% success rate with those suffering from IBS. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols. Woah! That’s a mouthful of carbs. Let us break it down for you:


low FODMAP snacks


What are FODMAPs?

FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates that are found in healthy and everyday foods such as apples, pears, onions, garlic, wheat, honey, agave syrup, and sugar free gum. For those suffering with IBS, this group of carbohydrates are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and as they travel through the GI tract can cause all of those fun symptoms of IBS: bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea.

What is the low FODMAP diet?

A 2-6 week elimination diet that involves removing high FODMAP foods from the diet in order to test whether they contribute to your GI symptoms. The goal of the low FODMAP diet is to help you learn your personal dietary triggers and eat the most varied diet that your body agrees with. It is not a diet to stay on forever. After the elimination phase, FODMAPs are re-introduced, one type at a time, to determine your individual tolerance.

Feeling slightly confused? Due to the many nuances of the diet, we recommend working with a FODMAP knowledgeable dietitian for a personalized, nutritionally-balanced plan. While the diet is an effective management strategy for IBS, it has been shown to reduce good gut bacteria and therefore, is recommended to only try if there is a medical reason to do so.

Note: Do not self diagnose! If you are experiencing GI symptoms, consult with your doctor in order to rule out other possible intestinal conditions.