A low-FODMAP diet is all about cutting back on certain hard-to-digest carbs that can trigger bloating, gas, and other digestive concerns. It’s a common diet for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects up to 15% of people in the United States.
If you’re having digestive trouble and need relief, schedule an appointment with Leslie F. Seecoomar, MD, on New York City’s Upper West Side. Dr. Seecoomar can help you determine if a low FODMAP diet is right for you. Below are some signs you may benefit from this type of meal plan.
A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet eliminates fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that are more difficult for certain people to digest, especially those with IBS.
It’s often used to ease bothersome gastrointestinal symptoms by removing irritants to your gut lining, giving your digestive system a chance to rest and repair.
A low-FODMAP diet may also help restore healthy gut bacterial balance in people with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
This type of diet is a short-term elimination meal plan that helps you identify foods causing troublesome GI symptoms. After eliminating certain foods, you can gradually and systematically reintroduce them to see how your body reacts.
The following are signs that might benefit from trying a low-FODMAP meal plan:
If you experience frequent bloating caused by IBS or SIBO, Dr. Seecoomar may suggest you try a low-FODMAP meal plan. You might feel generally uncomfortable after eating, or have a distended stomach, due to a GI concern or sensitivity to certain foods.
While gassiness now and then is common, frequent gas, especially when eating certain foods, may indicate IBS or another gastrointestinal condition that could benefit from a low-FODMAP meal plan. You might also experience abdominal pain due to gas or other GI symptoms.
Constipation could indicate IBS, SIBO, or another digestive condition. You might feel like you can’t empty your bowels completely after using the bathroom. A low-FODMAP diet can help identify which eating pattern eliminates straining or discomfort during bowel movements.
Chronic diarrhea could also indicate that you may benefit from a low-FODMAP diet. You might alternate between diarrhea and constipation, or experience other changes in your bowel movements, due to a gastrointestinal concern or certain foods.
Healthy weight management is important, but if you’re losing weight without trying, are constantly tired, and/or have a low appetite, a low-FODMAP diet may be worth a try. Dr. Seecoomar helps determine if your weight loss stems from healthy lifestyle changes or a GI problem.
Dr. Seecoomar provides instructions on following a low-FODMAP diet. You’ll begin by eliminating high-FODMAP foods for 2-4 weeks, then gradually and strategically add them back in. After identifying the foods that cause unpleasant symptoms, you can create a new meal plan that provides long-lasting relief from IBS or SIBO.
Schedule a gastrointestinal assessment with Leslie F. Seecoomar, MD, PC, at 212-217-9961 or request an appointment online today to learn if you’re a candidate for a low-FODMAP diet based on your symptoms and risk factors.
