IBS & the Low FODMAP Diet
Around the world Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects (IBS) around 10-20% of people. Up until just over ten years ago many of these people lived with unpredictable symptoms of excess wind, bloating, cramping and altered bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea or both).
IBS is a chronic functional condition. This means that the bowel looks normal, but doesn’t function normally. For this reason, there is no blood test or diagnostic procedure that can identify it and in most cases a diagnosis is made based on whether you have typical symptoms or using the ROME IV criteria
IBS is a chronic functional condition. This means that the bowel looks normal, but doesn’t function normally. For this reason, there is no blood test or diagnostic procedure that can identify it and in most cases a diagnosis is made based on whether you have typical symptoms or using the ROME IV criteria
There are many conditions which cause similar symptoms to IBS, including Coeliac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Colitis) and even some cancers. It is essential to rule these out and investigate any “red flags” with your doctor before exploring dietary modifications.
No one knows what causes IBS, nor is there currently any cure for it. This means that we are left with trying to manage it and minimise its influence on daily life. IN recent years the low FODMAP diet has been gaining popularity, and with good reason. The low FODMAP diet has been scientifically proven to alleviate symptoms of IBS in 3 out of 4 IBS sufferers
No one knows what causes IBS, nor is there currently any cure for it. This means that we are left with trying to manage it and minimise its influence on daily life. IN recent years the low FODMAP diet has been gaining popularity, and with good reason. The low FODMAP diet has been scientifically proven to alleviate symptoms of IBS in 3 out of 4 IBS sufferers
What are FODMAPs?
FODMAP is an acronym for four groups of short chain carbohydrate, or sugar molecules found naturally a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and milk products.
When we eat, food passes from the mouth down the oesophagus to the stomach. In the stomach food is mixed and broken down before being slowly released into the small intestine. Enzymes in the small intestine continue to break food down to single molecules so that it can be absorbed across the wall of the small intestine into the blood stream. Any part of food that isn't broken down or absorbed in the small intestine will continue down the gastro-intestinal tract and pass into the large intestine for elimination.
When we eat, food passes from the mouth down the oesophagus to the stomach. In the stomach food is mixed and broken down before being slowly released into the small intestine. Enzymes in the small intestine continue to break food down to single molecules so that it can be absorbed across the wall of the small intestine into the blood stream. Any part of food that isn't broken down or absorbed in the small intestine will continue down the gastro-intestinal tract and pass into the large intestine for elimination.
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There are two processes that can occur during this progression that may trigger symptoms in certain people including; bloating, cramping, wind, constipation or diarrhoea or a combination of the two:
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A low FODMAP diet is recommended to be implemented under the guidance of an Accredited Practising Dietitian. The low FODMAP diet is not a forever diet. It is intended as a diagnostic tool, which is designed to identify a persons’ individual dietary triggers so that they can modify their long term diet to allow as much variation and flexibility as possible while still managing IBS type symptoms.
You can read more about the three phases of the low FODMAP diet here.
Joanna has both personal and professional experience in the low FODMAP diet.
At Everyday Nutrition you can expect:
You can read more about the three phases of the low FODMAP diet here.
Joanna has both personal and professional experience in the low FODMAP diet.
At Everyday Nutrition you can expect:
- Personalised assessment and plan based on your specific medical concerns.
- Practical tips, solutions, recipes and meal ideas to enable you to manage your condition.
- Ongoing support and education.
- Improved nutritional status and body weight.
- Minimised abdominal discomfort and improved bowel habits
