A Low FODMAP Diet for IBD

Have you ever wondered what diet is best to follow if you have IBD?  I am creating a new series where I profile, discuss, and explain various diets that can be used to help manage IBD.

 Previously we have discussed: SCD for IBD, Carnivore Diet for IBD, and a Plant Based Diet for IBD.

This week we will discuss the low FODMAP diet for IBD.

We will discuss

• What is a low FODMAP diet?

• How does it help?

• Potential drawbacks

• Advice on starting a low FODMAP diet

What is a Low FODMAP Diet?

FODMAP is an acronym that stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.  These are all short chain carbohydrates.  Some people experience digestive issues when they consume FODMAP foods because their small intestine absorbs them poorly.

This poor absorption is what is thought to lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.  

The FODMAP diet was created by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne Australia.  It has been used extensively to help ease symptoms of people with IBS.  It is thought to help up to 75% of patients with IBS symptoms.

This diet is only meant to be followed in the short term, as it can be quite restrictive.

 

How Does it Help?

A low FODMAP diet has not been shown to reduce inflammation.  So why do some patients with IBD find relief using a low FODMAP diet?

The low FODMAP diet was created for IBS.  And IBS does not involve inflammation in the body, but instead is caused by bowel sensitivity.  

It has been found that people with IBD are 3x more likely to have IBS than the general population.  

Some patients with IBD will find that even when their IBD markers show little or no inflammation in the body.  They still experience gastrointestinal symptoms.  This is often because they have IBS as well as IBD.  And even when their IBD is in remission, their IBS can still cause digestive symptoms.  

Some patients may find it beneficial to follow a low FODMAP diet for IBD in conjunction with another IBD diet.  For example some people find relief when following IBD AID with a low FODMAP modification.

Potential Drawbacks

The biggest drawback when following a low FODMAP diet for IBD is that this diet has not been shown to reduce inflammation.  It may help ease symptoms (related to IBS), but it does not specifically reduce inflammation.  

Following a low FODMAP diet for IBD can also be quite restrictive.

Many people with IBD have increased requirements for certain nutrients.  This is because their levels of nutrient absorption may be lower than average.  Due to inflammation along the GI tract. 

This is one of the reasons why IBD patients should eat a highly nutritious diet.  

Most FODMAP foods are normally quite healthy.  They provide important vitamins and minerals in our diet.  Eliminating FODMAPS may restrict certain nutrients, and may put you at risk for deficiencies.

Many FODMAPS are also prebiotic foods.  These prebiotic foods are the favorite foods of the healthy bacteria living in your gut.  Because many patients with IBD have gut dysbiosis, we need to eat as many prebiotic foods as possible to support our healthy microbiota.  

Both of these drawbacks can be avoided by only following a low FODMAP diet for a short period of time.

 

Eating a low FODMAP diet for IBD may also make it difficult to eat out at a restaurant.  Once you become familiar with low and high FODMAP foods, this will be easier to manage.  

Many packaged foods in Australia are now labeled as low FODMAP to make it easier on consumers.

 

Advice on Getting Started on a Low FODMAP Diet for IBD

Downloading a low FODMAP app can be tremendously helpful when learning how to follow a low FODMAP diet for IBD.

There are a few great ones out there including Monash University’s low FODMAP diet app.  And the Low FODMAP A to Z app.

If you are experiencing confusion about a low FODMAP diet for IBD, there are many nutritionists and dieticians who are trained in low FODMAP diets.  They will be able to explain in detail what the diet entails.  They can also help create meal plans for you to follow.

 

A low FODMAP diet for IBD has been found to relieve digestive symptoms related to IBS.  It may be helpful for IBD patients who are still experiencing symptoms while in remission.

Some patients with IBD find it beneficial to follow a low FODMAP diet in addition to following another IBD diet.