A low FODMAP diet is all about sticking to a diet where you only eat low FODMAP foods. FODMAP refers to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are types of carbohydrates that your body may have difficulty digesting. A lot of low FODMAP foods are free of aromatics like garlic and onion, but they also exclude legumes, wheat, nuts, and dairy products. When you exclude some of these types of food from your diet, you may just experience fewer symptoms. It all depends on your gut and what your body is sensitive to.
Below, you’ll find three signs that you should try a low FODMAP diet. Keep in mind that this is no way to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome nor does this guide take the place of professional advice from a nutritionist. But if you’re experiencing some of these symptoms or relate to some of these signs, then it may be beneficial for you to see a doctor about how to improve your digestion and if a low FODMAP lifestyle may be best for you.
1. You regularly experience digestive issues like cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
FODMAPs typically cause fermentation in your digestive system. It’s just the nature of carbohydrates, and some bodies simply don’t respond well to this fermentation. That’s why it can result in digestive issues like gas, cramping, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation. Some of the most common high FODMAP foods that cause these issues could be apples, pears, peas, onions, garlic, dairy, and nuts. A lot of these ingredients can be found in typical products you buy at the grocery store. For starters, a chicken broth isn’t just chicken bones and veggies. It often includes aromatics like onions and garlic, which irritate your digestive system. So, you’ll want to opt for a low FODMAP chicken broth like the one from Gourmend Foods instead. The broth uses scallion tops and leek tops and is free of artificial ingredients, so you get all the flavor without compromising your FODMAP diet.
2. You’re hyper-aware of your surroundings and the location of the nearest bathroom.
When you experience digestive issues regularly, you’re probably always hyper-aware of the nearest bathroom. You leave the house making sure you’ve already used the toilet. And when you arrive at your destination, you make sure that there’s a bathroom within close proximity in case you have to go. If you’re starting to make plans around your unpredictable bathroom schedule, then you may want to look into whether you have food sensitivities and consider low FODMAP products. Take back the control and don’t let your digestion take charge of all your daily activities.
3. You’ve tried eating healthy and adding more fiber to your diet but still experience issues with digestion.
Maybe you’ve been experiencing poor digestion for a while and have been trying to eat a lot healthier to curb your symptoms. Or perhaps you’ve been incorporating more high-fiber foods into your diet to try to aid your digestive system. But if you’ve had no luck with doing this, then it may be time for you to try something new. Following a low FODMAP diet can help you figure out what’s irritating your digestion and which foods you should avoid. Sometimes, not everything that has a lower FODMAP is good for you. That’s why Gourmend Foods started creating products that are whole, clean, mostly organic, and free of preservatives without compromising flavor. Plus, you still meet all your nutritional needs!
Ask a health care professional about whether a low FODMAP diet would be a great way to learn more about your food sensitivities. Hopefully, this page was informative enough for you to perhaps consider trying the diet to improve your overall gut health and start taking better care of your digestion!