WTH is a FODMAP???

It’s the latest thing in food sensitivities and I think it’s here to stay since it’s estimated that it affects 1 out of 7 people. Let me explain…

Every week I have people telling me about their food related tummy troubles.

Usually the people I talk to about this are frustrated because they can’t figure out what is causing their gas, bloating and general twisted-up-ness.

They start pointing their finger at gluten, alcohol, sweets, dairy…but eliminating those foods still doesn’t help.

Enter FODMAP’s.

FODMAP is an acronym for a group of foods that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and therefore cause gas, bloating and other un-pleasantries. It’s a long and random list of foods. So someone who is sensitive to FODMAP’s will continue to suffer until they figure out exactly what group they are sensitive to. I am not a dietitian or a doctor. I just stumbled across this FODMAP business and thought of everyone I’ve spoken to over the years who suffered from seemingly random tummy trouble and so I had to share this information. It also makes me think of all the people I know who pound antacids because they feel “bloated” and everyone out there on prescription medications for GERD. Folks, you could be sensitive to FODMAP’s!! And if you are, that’s ok. It’s going to be the latest craze in nutrition. I’m sure of it.

I won’t list all the foods here because it’s a long and complicated list. If you have chronic tummy trouble, google FODMAP and see if it sounds like you. If it does, buy a book, read up on it and do the 2 week elimination diet and see if you feel better. If you do the elimination and feel better, then you have FODMAP sensitivity! And from there you can start adding foods back in until you figure out the culprit.

Here’s a really short list of high FODMAP foods (meaning, foods that could be causing tummy trouble)

gum
garlic
fruit
honey & agave nectar
high fructose corn syrup
onions
beans
avocados
wheat bread & pasta
broccoli
asparagus
milk
yogurt

Like I said, that’s a super abbreviated list. The real list is much more complicated than that. I just wanted to give a snapshot of how random the foods are to illustrate how someone could be eating an extremely healthy diet but be living in absolute misery every day since those foods are very common and something we eat nearly every day.

Foods like eggs, meat and cane sugar are very low in FODMAP’s so it can be a little tricky to eat healthy if you are sensitive to this group.

That’s where I come in. I am going to start a FODMAP page on my blog and try to come up with FODMAP friendly recipes for anyone who might be sensitive to these items but still wants to eat delicious, healthy food.

My head is swimming with ideas already so stay tuned as I start posting these creations!