The Low FODMAP Approach to Diet
F - Fermentable
O - Oligosaccharides > Fructans Galactans
D - Disaccharides > Lactose
M - Monosaccharides > Fructose
A - and
P - Polyols
Patients who may benefit from following a Low FODMAP Diet are:
People that have abnormal GIT fructose/fructans/galactans handling and absorption.
30 % of Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients may benefit.
40 % of recovered Coeliac Disease patients may benefit.
There is no accurate test for this at this stage on the Sunshine Coast. There is a fructose breath test only. There is no breath test for fructans, galactans or polyols.
What can patients do?
Try a Low FODMAP Approach to Diet. The aim is to decrease dietary small chain fermentable carbohydrates and to decrease fermentation and bloating.
Initially, it is best to AVOID these foods for two months to see if you respond. All patients should at least avoid fructose and galactans. In the long term you may be able to just limit these foods. Some patients benefit from a clinical review and dietary discussion with Dr White for specific advice.
This is NOT a gluten free diet. Gluten is NOT the issue.
Summary of FODMAP Food Sources
-
AVOID these foods containing excess FRUCTOSE. Limit concentrated fruit sources, such as large serves of fruit at one sitting (Dried Fruit, Wine, Fruit Juice):
Apple
Pear
Mango
Watermelon
Clingstone Peaches
Sugar snap peas
Broad beans
Nashi Pears
Dried Fruits
Tinned fruit – in natural juice
Honey
High fructose corn syrup
Wine (sweet, rose, cider)
Rum
Cider vinegar/Molasses
BBQ Sauce/Ketchup/Chutneys
LIMIT these foods to the amount stated in the brackets ( ):
Asparagus (1)
Artichoke (1/4 cup)
Cherries (2)
Boysenberries (4)
Figs (2)
-
FRUITS
AVOID these:
Watermelon
Peaches (white)
Nectarines
Dates
Persimmon
Tamarillo
LIMIT these to the amounts shown in brackets ( ):
Grapefruit (½)
Pomegranate (½)
Rambutan (2)
Figs (2)
VEGETABLES
AVOID these:
Onion family (white and brown)
Spring onion (white part)
Leeks
Spanish shallots
Garlic
Onion and garlic salt/powders
Squash
LIMIT these to the amounts shown in brackets ( ):
Broccoli (up to 1/4 cup)
Cabbage (up to ½ cup)
Beetroot (up to 4 slices)
Artichoke (up to ¼ cup)
Fennel (up to ½ cup)
Green beans (up to 6)
Asparagus (up to 2)
Snow peas (up to 6)
Sweet corn (up to ½ cob)
Brussel sprouts (up to ½ cup
BREADS / CEREALS
AVOID these:
Wheat (in large amounts), eg: bread, pastas
Couscous
Rye bread (in large amounts )
Muesli/Fruit bars
LIMIT
Crackers (up to 3) and Biscuits (up to 3)
Barley
Chia seeds
Wheat bran
-
LEGUMES
AVOID these:
Chick Peas / hummus
Baked beans
Savoy cabbage
Soy beans/soy milk
Split peas
Haricot beans
Okra
Kidney beans
Lima/Berlotti beans
Custard Apples
LIMIT these to the amounts shown in brackets ( ):
Lentils (up to ¼ cup)
Peas (up to ¼ cup)
Green Beans (up to 6)
OTHER
AVOID these:
Inulin (a fibre in some dairy products including probiotics)
Cashews
Pistachios
Tahini and Tzatziki
Dandelion tea
Ecco, Caro
Chicory
Soy Milk
Whey powder
LIMIT
Almonds to < 10
-
Avoid/Limit foods containing lactose ONLY if you are lactose intolerant. You can be tested for this by having an endoscopy with biopsies or a breath test.
AVOID these:
Cow’s milk – regular and low fat
Goats Milk / Sheep’s Milk
Ice Cream – regular and low fat
Butter Milk
Yoghurt – regular and low fat
Mascarpone/Ricotta
Custard Haloumi
Cream – including sour cream
A2 Milk
Condensed Milk
Processed cheese
Most people can tolerate 1/3 cup milk per day for coffee/tea/cooking.
LIMIT
Cottage Cheese (< 4 tablespoons)
-
SORBITOL
AVOID these:
Apples
Pears
Apricots
Broccoli
Nectarines
Clingstone Peaches
Peaches/Plums
Prunes
Blackberries
Pomegranate
LIMIT these to the amounts shown in brackets ( ):
Avocado (½)
Cherries (up to 2)
Lychees (up to 4)
MANNITOL
AVOID these:
Mushrooms
Cauliflower
Watermelon
Coconut Cream
Isomalt/Xylitol
Guava
Any diet products (eg: mayonnaise, sauces)
LIMIT these to the amounts shown in brackets ( ):
Snow peas (4)
Celery (½ stalk)
Sweet Potato (½ cup)
Coconut Milk (½ cup)