High FODMAP Foods and Low FODMAP Food Alternatives

FODMAPs stand for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. They are small osmotically active molecules that often trigger functional symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Several studies showed that a low FODMAP diet often leads to complete or partial symptom relief in up to 77% of patients with IBS.

IBS is a chronic and often disabling condition because it is not easily treated by medication or dietary means. Elimination diets were often used, but despite being extremely restrictive, they did not work so uniformly as to provide a predictably effective therapeutic intervention.

There are other conditions involving functional bowel disorders which have the same type of symptomatology. For these reasons, a low FODMAP diet is often recommended for such patients and provides significant benefit in a high percentage of them.

IBS symptoms, the low FODMAP diet and the Monash app that can help

Foods with High FODMAP and their Replacements

There are many foods that are considered high FODMAP. They can be divided into categories, according to the type of FODMAP that they contain.

Foods that are rich in fructose include:

  • apples, peaches, pears, mango, sugar snap pea, watermelon, tinned fruit with juice
  • honey, high-fructose corn syrup, fructose
  • fruits in large amounts, dried fruits, fruit juice

These foods should be substituted with citrus fruit, papaya, durian, banana, strawberries, or blueberries. Possible sweeteners include maple syrup or golden syrup, and any non-polyol artificial sweetener.

Any food rich in fructose must be eaten only in combination with glucose-containing foods which enhance its absorption.

Fructose preponderance leads to malabsorption symptoms in most cases because the mucosal transporters in such patients require more glucose to effectively transport fructose as well out of the lumen and into the mucosal cells, making it unavailable for luminal fermentation.

Lactose-Rich Foods

  • cow, sheep or goat milk
  • cow, sheep or goat cheese
  • ice cream
  • yogurt

These may be substituted for by almond, soy, or coconut milk, rice milk, lactose-free milk and yogurt, sorbet or gelato for ice cream, and hard or ripened cheeses

Foods rich in galactooligosaccharides and fructans:

  • Cruciferous vegetables, onions and shallots, garlic, and okra
  • Rye and wheat (in large amounts)
  • Legumes

These may be replaced by green beans, capsicum, carrots, celery, chives, lettuce, pumpkin, and bamboo shoots. It is advised to use gluten-free and spelt flour in place of wheat flour.

Oil in which garlic has been lightly sautéed may be used after removing the garlic, to obtain the savory taste without the short-chain carbohydrates.

Permissible grains include rice, oats, and quinoa, while most nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts and pecans) may be used in moderation.

Polyols

  • Most fruits mentioned above
  • Snow pea, cauliflower and mushrooms
  • Any artificial sweetener ending in ‘-ol’

These should be replaced with the fruits permitted above, sugar or glucose. All medications should be reviewed by the doctor or pharmacist to ensure they do not contain polyols or lactose, such as many liquid painkillers, and cough medications. Tablets are preferable to these forms.

A low-FODMAP diet should be formulated with the help of a dietitian to make sure that each substitution makes nutritional sense, avoids deficiencies, and caters to individual dietary preferences and aversions.

Providing lists of preferred and avoided foods can help the patient greatly with long-term compliance. Total FODMAP abstinence for a few weeks (6-8 weeks) can be followed by systematic slow food challenges to identify potentially harmful foods, if any.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2022

Dr. Liji Thomas

Written by

Dr. Liji Thomas

Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Thomas, Liji. (2022, December 29). High FODMAP Foods and Low FODMAP Food Alternatives. News-Medical. Retrieved on January 02, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-FODMAP-Foods-and-Low-FODMAP-Food-Alternatives.aspx.

  • MLA

    Thomas, Liji. "High FODMAP Foods and Low FODMAP Food Alternatives". News-Medical. 02 January 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-FODMAP-Foods-and-Low-FODMAP-Food-Alternatives.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Thomas, Liji. "High FODMAP Foods and Low FODMAP Food Alternatives". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-FODMAP-Foods-and-Low-FODMAP-Food-Alternatives.aspx. (accessed January 02, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Thomas, Liji. 2022. High FODMAP Foods and Low FODMAP Food Alternatives. News-Medical, viewed 02 January 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/High-FODMAP-Foods-and-Low-FODMAP-Food-Alternatives.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post
You might also like...
Can herbal remedies, spices, and dietary fibers offer effective treatment options for children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?