Suffering from IBS? Here are 3 reasons why the low FODMAP diet is failing you

If you’ve been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or experienced painful bloating, you understand how incredibly debilitating and isolating it can be. The Low FODMAP diet is used commonly to help manage IBS, with over 70% of diet followers seeing improvements in their often debilitating symptoms. There is a great deal of misinformation and conflicting advice surrounding the diet and without the right support and guidance can be incredibly confusing to follow and may be limiting your results.  

Some common reasons why the Low FODMAP Diet is failing include

1. Your diagnosis is wrong
   
   GPs and Gastroenterologist alike will agree that diagnosing IBS can be a tricky task. IBS has a series of symptoms that can overlap with other Gastrointestinal conditions, making it difficult to determine the root cause of your discomfort. The Low FODMAP diet was created to manage the symptoms of IBS, commencing the diet when you do not have IBS will often not deliver any relief. In my experience, I have seen patients diagnosed with IBS go on to discover that they in fact have coeliac disease. It is important when contemplating starting the diet that you seek the advice of your GP or Dietitian to help accurately assess whether the diet is the right fit for you and your needs.
   
   

2. You stayed on it for too long
   
   Unlike other GI conditions like coeliac disease where a strict gluten-free diet must be followed for life, those with IBS DO NOT need to follow a strict low FODMAP diet indefinitely. The diet is an elimination diet that aims to identify which foods or more precisely which FODMAPs are triggering your symptoms. Following a diet low in FODMAPs for an extended period of time can actually be counterintuitive to your overall gut health as it restricts your intake of gut-healthy fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains. Receiving support from a dietitian through the three phases of the diet will help with making the process more efficient and limit any unnecessary restriction or discomfort.
   
   

3. You didn’t make it to the reintroduction phase
   
   Following on from the last reason, often if the diet is being followed long term, FODMAP challenges have not been conducted. A FODMAP challenge refers to the slow and targeted reintroduction and tolerance testing of each type of FODMAP. This is a super important stage in the process as it allows greater insight into which foods are causing symptom flairs. This stage ensures maximum variety, minimum symptoms and of course a healthy gut!
   

How can I get better symptom relief for my IBS? 

With the guidance and support of an IBS Dietitian. Our Dietitians have received advanced training and are skilled in accessing, advising, prescribing and troubleshooting the Low FODMAP diet. They work together with you to create your own personalized IBS management toolbox to help you get back to living your life confidently! 

Learn more about our nutrition services by clicking here.