A Beautiful List of FODMAP “Free” Foods (+ Download PDF Chart) | Diet vs Disease (2024)

FAQs

A Beautiful List of FODMAP “Free” Foods (+ Download PDF Chart) | Diet vs Disease? ›

The most common digestive disorder affected by an intolerance to FODMAPs is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, apart from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD).

The most common digestive disorder affected by an intolerance to FODMAPs is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, apart from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD).

During an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) flare-up (sometimes referred to as an “IBS attack”) you may experience more gut symptoms, such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. An IBS flare-up can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months.

First, you stop eating certain foods (high FODMAP foods). Next, you slowly reintroduce them to see which ones are troublesome. Once you identify the foods that cause symptoms, you can avoid or limit them while enjoying everything else worry-free.

"Diet vs Disease" is a website and platform created by Joe Leech, a registered dietitian and nutritionist. The website provides evidence-based information and resources related to nutrition, diet, and health.

Fructans and GOS were identified as the most common FODMAPs associated with worsening abdominal pain and/or bloating [3]. Similar research in Belgium identified fructans and mannitol as the most common FODMAP triggers during reintroduction [4].

If you skip these foods for too long, you may starve helpful bacteria colonies and cultivate unhealthy bacteria. Over time, if you follow only strict low FODMAP eating, you might notice yourself getting more tired, having more headaches, constipation, muscular weakness, or getting sick more easily.

Risk of the low-FODMAP diet

For starters, this diet is highly restrictive. While the initial restrictive phase is only temporary, nutritional deficiencies—especially inadequate fiber intake—can occur and may worsen GI symptoms.

Greek yogurt contains less lactose due to its production process making it a great low FODMAP option, as long as you're sticking to a low FODMAP serving size and adding only low FODMAP sugars/fruits/sweeteners (if any).

Diet, often considered as a lifestyle factor, contributes to the development of many chronic conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, some cancers, and perhaps some neurological diseases.

What is the healthiest diet to prevent disease? ›

A healthy eating plan emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and limits saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.

There are many “mediating factors” which affect your personal experience of consuming FODMAPs, ranging from other components in foods, to stress and anxiety, to medications, to which microbes are currently residing in your large and small intestines and which substances they are producing.

High-FODMAP foods like dairy and legumes cause higher levels of gas and liquid in the intestines. Low-FODMAP fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and protein are less likely to cause symtoms like gas and bloating and may be ideal if you are struggling with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

As previously mentioned, malabsorption of polyols may induce laxative effects, as well as flatulence, bloating, and abdominal discomfort in sensitive individuals (¹⁰).

If you have IBS, FODMAPs may worsen your symptoms, especially gas, bloating, pain, and diarrhea. Each person has a unique sensitivity to FODMAPs, and it depends on the kinds of foods and the amount you eat.