Statistics show that at least 45 million Americans suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you suffer from IBS, eating an apple daily will not keep the doctor away. Instead, it leads to gas, cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. Having a bar of chocolate or a snack may activate the same digestive problems.
Fortunately, there is hope. Studies show that 80 percent of people with IBS can eliminate the symptoms by following a low FODMap diet.
But first, what is a FODMAP diet? Well, FODMAP is an acronym. It refers to foods that are:
- Fermentable
- Oligosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Monosaccharides
- Polyols
These are forms of carbohydrates that most people have trouble digesting, thus leading to IBS symptoms.
Here are the benefits of switching to a low FODMAP diet.
- Reduces Pain and Discomfort in IBS
Living with IBS without a proper diet plan is like playing roulette, you never know when the ball will land. But that’s not all, pain and discomfort will be the order of the day.
Therefore, having a diet plan is a necessity for dealing with IBS. Shifting to a low FODMAP diet eliminates this pain and discomfort.
- It Reduces Bloating
Does every meal you take feel like you are about to fill your stomach with gas and float away? The low FODMAP diet may be for you.
With this diet, you’ll reduce foods that lead to gas and bloating. With this, the food will pass through the digestive tract without trapping any air along the way.
- Countless Emotional Benefits
All the technical stuff aside, the biggest benefit of a low FODMAP diet is how it boosts your confidence levels. As a person, you’ll be happy to get a diet that gives you back your life. Just the sheer thought of visiting a restaurant and placing your order without the thought of dealing with IBS is incredible.
- Reduces Constipation
Depending on the nature of your IBS, your poop will bend towards a certain extreme. For instance, in IBS-C and IBS-M, constipation is a common problem.
Well, the low FODMAP diet works towards regulating your food intake and getting things moving again. This means, less time spent in the bathroom.
- Reduces the Chances of Diarrhea
Are you dealing with IBS-D or IBS-M? Then, diarrhea is a major pain point. But don’t worry. Regulating the intake of the FODMAP diet helps reduce the instances of diarrhea. All you need to do is shift to a low FODMAP diet. With this, you don’t have to worry about leaving the house for dear of dealing with diarrhea.
Conclusion
Are you wondering how to start a FODMAP diet? Well, start by listing high FODMAP foods that you need to avoid and identify the ones to substitute with. For example, wheat is a high FODMAP diet, reducing or eliminating it from your diet helps cure bloating and other symptoms.
After restricting the high FODMAP diet for some time, you can slowly reintroduce limited amounts of the same foods in your diet. With this, you’ll be in a position to tolerate them better.
