The Low FODMAP diet?

[PennyK]

My GI doctor is trying to help me figure out what's wrong with my digestive system. Without going into the gross details, I started with a colonoscopy which showed nothing wrong.
First step was a probiotic. No change.
Then, I went back on a low-carb diet. Better but not great.
Now I'm supposed to be trying the Low FODMAP diet, which at the outset eliminates anything that could cause fermentation in your gut. Doctor gave me a handout with the good and bad foods listed.
My problem is that this handout is incomplete. So I went looking online for more information.
The problem is that EVERY version of this diet is different! I can't find two that list the same vegetables or dairy foods as acceptable.

Quite frustrating! At this point I'm just trying to eliminate the stuff they all list as bad...taking it one step past low-carb, that means cutting out most artificial sweeteners and broccoli, cauliflower, onions, garlic, avocados and cabbage.

Is there anyone here who can give me some guidance?

[lunasun]

1. This book offered me guidance years ago . I'm sure it's been updated & new research continues

http://brendawatson.com/services/gut-solutions-book/

[pnwest]

2. Not an expert at all, just a suggestion to

eliminate all wheat and yeast as well, if you haven’t done already.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. The best diets, the more personalized, emphasize balance.

I wouldn't eliminate, I'd replace with nutritious. Well, I'd eliminate artificial sweeteners and use very moderate amounts of sugar. Maybe stevia if you have to.

Fiber moves food through and out. Less time in the gut means less fermentation.

[PennyK]

4. Thanks

On my current diet I had no grains of any kind (although my test for intolerance came back negative). My handout says Splenda (sucralose) is okay, so I'm sticking with that. Trying non-dairy yogurts and eliminating the most obvious vegetable sources of bad stuff. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

[WhiteTara]

6. Is that the yellow package?

That is cholrinated sugar. That doesn't seem the right thing. Try agave, coconut sugar, honey, but not those creepy man made sugars, they are not healthy. JMHO

[WhiteTara]

5. I was diagnosed with Barretts Esophogus (incorrectly)

and I too began trying to find what ails my digestive system. At least your doc gave you hints, mine told me to go to the health food store!(seriously) so I went to the internet and you are so right. Every list contradicts the other lists. So for me, it's no caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes. As a matter of fact, going through all the lists, the only thing that they all agreed on is kale and salt. hahaha

But broccoli is a great cancer fighter, it seems the crispness and the chewing is what releases the antigens. Good luck. As they say, go with your gut! a

[PennyK]

7. Well, broccoli is a no-no to start with for me

And no one is taking away my coffee (it's OK for low FODMAP; so is tea).
This is a diet where you cut a lot out, see how you feel, and then try adding stuff back.
The final remedy my doctor wanted to try is an antibiotic called Xifaxan. It's supposed to cure SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), which I MAY have developed after taking a sulfa drug last year, I'm hesitant to go here because it would cost me around $500 for the two-week treatment (that's WITH my Part D contributing lol).

[WhiteTara]

8. SIBO is just now getting attention

Some researchers are saying that's caused by probiotics. All I know is that when they force me to take antibiotics, I have to replace that with good flora. I'm leery of all these drugs, but we do what we have to do.

I'm switching doctors and going to an internist and maybe she will have some answers. I'll pass on any good info.
Good luck with your body. We'll have to give them up at some point, but taking care of them while we're here is important. Can't give to the world without that body!

[PennyK]

9. After further research on the World Wide Whatever

I CAN have a cup of broccoli florets or a cup of cabbage. I also found out that I can have popcorn, something I normally don't eat because of the carbs, but screw that! I'll go with the plan, man, and tonight's TV viewing will be all the better.

Did find a more complete list at https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/ and now I have a better idea what I can prepare and eat.

[PennyK]

10. Just a few days, but I'm seeing a difference

I cut out almost all dairy, the offending veggies (garlic and onion sob), sugar alcohols and all sugars except sucrose and glucose. I hadn't been eating gluten anyway. I'll give it at least one more day and then try to figure out which stuff to try adding back. Probably sugar alcohols -- I feel guilty using mints and popsicles with real sugar. If the symptoms come back, away they'll go again, and I'll try some onion or garlic next. Or dairy.
Talk about playing with your food!

[PennyK]

11. Dairy first

I made some lemon sherbet that has cream and milk in it and had a little bit last night.
And, to use my new euphemism, I baked perfect muffins this morning.
We shall see.

[PennyK]

12. I need to try another tack

I admit it...I didn't even think about eliminating caffeine,


Ok, tomorrow. I'll brew a pot of the decaf stuff for myself.

[PennyK]

13. Doing much better!

I had to add back a little caffeine; those headaches were baddies.
I've added back in most foods and I seem to be doing very well. It could also be due to the probiotic I've been taking regularly. My chiropractor explained to me that with time, the good bacteria overcome the bad ones. Going to finish out this weekend with some naughty carbs (bagel & lox, Chinese food) and then Monday, back to low carb.
Seems as though whatever was causing me that distress decided to move on. So happy I didn't resort to the $500 drug for SIBO.

[PennyK]

14. I think the probiotic did it!

I took Align as recommended by my doctor, and when I finished the box, I switched to the Publix brand. So eight weeks in and not only is my digestion great, my mood is actually better. I ordered the prebiotic my daughter swears by, to feed the good guys I'm putting into my gut.
Shouldn't get too excited about this, but it's just very nice to feel good.

[PennyK]

15. Still good!

Probiotic and prebiotic every day. I'm sticking to a low-carb diet, so protein, veggies, and salads. Feeling great, and psyched for my NYC trip in a few weeks. I know my daughter wants to take me to a restaurant that makes hot pastrami eggrolls!

[triron]

16. Have you had IBS like symptoms at all in the past? I recently had what I think was gastroenteritis

for a few days. Have been experiencing IBS like symptoms now for nearly a week.