FODMAPs Checklist

Click here for the latest updated low & high FODMAP checklists.

1,097 replies on “FODMAPs Checklist“

  • Sarah

    Thank you so much Kate, incredibly grateful for your time and effort. What a relief to have found your site – such a helpful resource given the plethora of confusing and often conflicting information about FODMAPS.

    I am about to collect pen, paper and coffee in order to read back through your archives!

    Reply

  • Sarah

    Ooops, forgot the question I originally wanted to ask! I find myself incredibly confused about soy; everything I have read elsewhere tells me I should avoid soy beans (galactans are problematic for me), and yet tofu appears here on the FODMAP friendly list?

    I would so like to better understand this please!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      The processing of soy into tofu removes most or all of the FODMAPs and it is primarily protein. The Australian researchers that created the low FODMAP diet have allowed it on the diet. Soybeans, soy flour and some soy milks will still be potential FODMAP sources.

      Reply

      • katescarlata

        Galactans are know referred to as GOS these days–just so you know when reading current info. Soy protein isolate should just be the protein of soy and therefore should be low in FODMAPs but when I look at the nutritional info it lists it contains fiber so I would have to say that I am not sure–it likely varies amongst products. It certainly would be a good choice to try when undergoing a GOS challenge.

        Kate

      • Lucy Sullivan

        hey! I’m new to your blog and ever so happy to have found you, I feel like there is hope!

        I am confused about soy too. Would a organic GF soy sauce be ok?

  • Sarah

    Many thanks Kate – and apologies if ongoing questions are frustrating, I *am* both experimenting with diet and also trying to research these things myself, truly! Back to the issue of conflicting information however, I really appreciate being able to ask a source I trust.

    The tofu issue makes sense (and is a relief, actually). Tempeh, however, I would understand still likely to be problematic for those of us struggling with galactans; different processing, and whole beans – would you agree? Man, what a shame, I love the stuff (diet trials would also suggest my body does not …)

    Reply

      • Shona

        I am SO glad. I am new here and am following an elimination diet. Can I ask is cocoa OK. I make it with coconut milk and sucralose. Thanks

      • katescarlata

        Shona, not sure that cocoa has been officially tested but I know it was used in one of the Monash studies (where FODMAPs originated) on the low FODMAP diet part of a study so I am think in moderate doses it will be okay. I am not a fan of sucralose though as one study suggests that it alters healthy gut bacteria. Sub in maple syrup or a bit of table sugar perhaps?

    • katescarlata

      Cranberries do not have excess fructose so should be okay. I haven’t seen any definitive info from the Australian researchers but the available US info suggests they would be low FODMAP.

      Reply

  • robin

    Also confused by the differences betwen acceptable foods on different sites. Her’s my few quesitons:

    Broccoli and Cauliflower – your FodMap list doesn’t include them, yet you have recipes for them listed.

    Avocados – big fan -would hate to give them up!

    Black beans, other beans?

    Raw Cashews, walnuts,etc (unsoaked)?

    Coconut Milk?

    Miso and Tempeh? – Is this a huge problem? I’ve read so much about the importance of fermented soy for gut issues…

    Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Robin-
      Not all the recipes on my site are low in FODMAP–I specify which ones that are low FODMAP in the post. Both cauliflower and broccoli are on my checklist. Broccoli is a moderate fructan/GOS–allowed in 1/2 cup serving on elimination phase. Cauliflower is rich in polyols–not allowed on elimination phase. http://blog.katescarlata.com/fodmaps/fodmaps-checklist/

      Avocados are allowed 1/4 of avocado. Beans are eliminated in the elimination phase. Nuts okay as listed on checklist (no pistachios) Coconut milk okay.
      Tofu okay, soy sauce okay–not sure about Miso and tempeh–not sure they have been evaluated yet.

      Kate

      Reply

      • robin

        Thanks. I’m just learning about this diet and it’s a bit confusing, especially because I already folllow a low carb, gluten free diet. It’s ahrd to add on one more limitation…

        I actually live in Brookline, so I may schedule a personal consult with you. I imagine that will help me navigate this a bit more.

      • Linda dc

        According to the Monash University Low FodMap diet Edition 4 Booklet, Tempeh 150gm is low and has a green code. Same with Tofu 1/2 cup. I would suggest getting an organic naturally made without additives and check ingredients for flavoured ones.

  • katescarlata

    Yes, Robin, it is a diet that is best provided with a RD that is skilled in all of it’s nuances! My clients seem to understand it very well and it has made a world of difference for a vast majority of them.

    Reply

  • Ingrid Blokhus

    Hi, am I right in assuming that oatmilk and ricemilk are ok? Are there ways to tell whether a soymilk is ok? A big “thanks!” from Norway.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Oat milk and rice milk seem to be okay–always read labels for other ingredients that may be added such as chicory root extract that are problematic. Soy milk varies depending on processing. UK low FODMAP booklet lists Alpro-unsweetened long life or Original chilled, So Good products as low FODMAP–not sure if those products available in Norway. Glad you found me Ingrid!

      Reply

      • Annetta

        Just wanted to let people know about Alpro soy milks in the uk as there is conflicting information about. I have contacted them and they have confirmed that NONE of their soy milks are suitable for the elimination phase of a low fodmap diet as they are all made with the whole soy bean (apparently up to 60ml a day has been ok’d by the dietitians at King’s who they contacted following my enquiry, which seems to roughly concur with the Monash app that allows 45 – 60ml a day). Pls also note that some Alpro soy milks contain inulin which I understand is not allowed in any amount.

        I asked Alpro if they had considered making a soy protein based milk but they said that they don’t want to do this as making a milk from soy protein apparently is a more chemical process of manufacturing.

        Hope that info is useful to other fodmappers.

  • Kristi

    Thank you, Kate!! I have been thinking of using it again as a supplement in my son’s diet. . .adds great flavor and some protein to fill in the gaps. We haven’t been brave enough to try it since starting the low FODMAP diet.

    Reply

  • Emma

    Hi Kate! Good to know about tofu – I had been leaving it out because I assumed it was exactly the same as eating soybeans.

    One question though – this is the first checklist I’ve seen that has pumpkin as a problem food. Eek! Can you confirm exactly which type of pumpkin you’re referring to? (I’m in Australia, so I know the terminology can sometimes be different for certain vegetables between Aus and US). Also, do you have any info on the exact amount of fructose and glucose in pumpkin, or know where I could get this info from?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Emma-butternut pumpkin should be limited to 1/2 cup( that would be butternut squash in the US) and the US info on our (big round orange) pumpkin shows it as a mannitol source BUT the Australian info–straight from Monash University in Melbourne says Pumpkin is OK–so I think for you in Aussie–pumpkin as you call it, is low in FODMAP. Tofu, because of the way it is processed makes it okay-low FODMAP and some soy milks too are OK such as SoGood is low in FODMAP and Bonsoy in 1/2 cup serving is low in FODMAP too, while Vitasoy, is high in FODMAPs. So MANY details to work out, right? 🙂
      Hope that helps a bit!
      Kate

      Reply

      • katescarlata

        Emma, I was fortunate to attend a great educational session for dietitians at Monash U last September and learn the latest information on the diet where the diet originated and the bulk of the research is done.

      • Eve

        Emma,
        Not sure where in Australia you are located, but Dr. Sue Shepherd has three clinics in Melbourne and a team of educated dieticians (see http://www.shepherdworks.com.au).

        She’s also been touring Australia educating GPs about the low FODMAP diet (LOL, even my GP!) and has been educating many dieticians too. Many health professionals are becoming more and more educated on the science behind the diet. See if your dietician can get in touch with Sue 🙂

        Good luck 🙂

  • Cory

    Hi Kate,

    I was wondering if tapioca starch and arrowroot are allowed – they seem to be in a lot of gluten-free products.

    Also, are stabilizers like guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, and cellulose OK? They are in a lot of products. I am particularly asking about the guar gum, since it’s also used as a fiber supplement.

    Thanks,

    Cory

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      We don’t have access to all the recent foods that the Australians have tested so some of the low FODMAP diet is based on info that is available from various older sources and may not be that accurate. With that in mind, tapioca and arrowroot seem okay but that could change. The gums can be fermentable but are not considered FODMAPs–so in small amounts should be okay. Bottom line: Choose more natural whole foods such as carrots, strawberries, oats, potatoes, rice etc. rather than “products” and you will avoid many of these stabilizers and fillers anyway 🙂

      Reply

      • crosswind

        I seem to be sensitive to many foods on the FODMAPS list and I noticed on a lab test few yrs ago i was “fructose sensitive” but the ND made special attention to it and brushed it off when I asked. NOW I know there IS more to it and have been googling this month about it. I wish I had known this list 15 yrs ago. But, I’ve had IBS for 10 yrs and tried all the typical anti-candida and IBS diets. I seem to be sensitive to Tapioca. It’s sticky when you make bread and seems to digest slower for me, like sticking in my gut. So,I’m not a fan of it. Interesting to hear about the GUMS being capable of fermenting. Good reason to avoid them. THANK YOU 🙂

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  • Steve

    Hi,

    This is a great chart. It is the most up-to-date I’ve found and it is nicely designed.

    I notice raspberries are in the high fodmaps list and I just wanted to check this is right please? Every chart I’ve seen before seems to have them in low(ish) category with other berries.

    Thanks,
    Steve

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Steve-
      The US data on raspberries note them as high in excess fructose so I have left them in the high category. Aussie research does in fact have them in the low category. Since growing conditions may impact food composition I am hesitant to move them into the low category quite yet….hope to have US raspberries analyzed by Aussie researchers. 🙂

      Reply

      • anne marie

        I was wondering if you have ever come across anything regarding oils. Any that should be avoided? Palm oil (which I suspect I have an issue with), Cottonseed oil, soybean oil, vegetable oil, canola, avacado, etc. Does turning anything that is low fodmap up the concentration when it becomes an oil? Any direction would be appreciated!!

      • katescarlata

        To my knowledge- all oils would be low FODMAP as they do not contain any carbohydrates and FODMAPs are carbohydrates. Fats can be IBS triggers so modify your diet as necessary for your symptoms.

      • Stevie

        I agree that growing conditions may impact them, but wanted to add that my 6yo with Fructose Malabsorption is able to tolerate raspberries in small amounts.

      • Phyllis E.

        I don’t know if it is ok to comment on an older post like this, but I just wanted to note that there is likely a difference between wild and cultivated raspberries that have been selectively bred to produce sweeter berries. We have a lot of wild raspberries growing along the edge of the woods on our property (in Maryland) and they are never as sweet as the store-bought ones or ones grown in home gardens from “new and improved” varieties.
        Just a thought about the possible discrepancies!

  • Barb

    Hi Kate,
    I am wondering if almond milk is considered okay as a milk substitute. I am also wondering if vegetables that aren’t on your caution list yet also aren’t on the fodmap friendly list would be okay. I am thinking specifically of swiss chard and parsnips.

    Reply

  • Cory

    Hi Kate,

    What happens if someone makes a mistake during the elimination phase? Do we have to start the 6-8 weeks all over again? I’m generally a conscientious label-reader, but I accidentally drank some herbal tea that contained chicory!
    Thanks,
    Cory

    Reply

  • Anita Eggink

    Hi Kate, thanks for this updated chart! FODMAP has made a huge difference in my IBS-D symptoms. I am an RD and also on my own journey to control my IBS vs it controlling me.

    For the last several months, I have developed new symptoms. Epigastric pain centred beneath breast bone. We have ruled out peptic cause (had scope and was clear, no gastritis, ulcers, etc.) The gastroenterologist has now recommended I revisit gallbladder as potential cause – blood work is fine, no inflammation of gallbladder on u/s but I do have gallstones.

    Can IBS symptoms change like this? I have always coped with IBS-D but these symptoms are new x 7 months. I have this pain 3 to 4 times a week. However, at times it flares up to the point it is debilitating.

    Also, the gastro suggested I start a probiotic (tru zen) but I see it is on your caution list. Any advice?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Certainly folks with IBS have various symptoms that can change over the course of their life. I wonder about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth? Have you been tested for this? It’s hard for me to give case by case advice without looking at your full medical history but some things I may consider would be enteric coated peppermint oil to help with the pain–lots of research on this in IBS and perhaps a trial of a probiotic that doesn’t contain prebiotics such as culturelle health and wellness formula.

      Reply

    • k.zaorski@comcast.net

      Hi Anita Eggink,
      I’m just now reading your posts re: epigastric pain. If you continue to have this problem, you might want to read up on para esophageal hernia. I’m not suggesting you have one, but read the symptoms to see if they fit. It turned out that the cause of my epigastric pain (intermittent yet quite severe over many months) was the result for it. When the pain was severe, I felt like I was having a heart attack. The description of what happens with a para esophageal hernia describes why you get epigastric pain.
      It took forever to get a diagnosis as my GI didn’t believe that was the issue. I finally had a consult with a thorough GI surgeon who diagnosed me. Surgery rectified the epigastic issues I was having. Thank goodness, because it can be a life threatening condition.

      Reply

  • Jaimie

    Kate, would over doing it with pumpkin seeds cause an IBS “flare-up”? And possibly a GERD flare-up as well? I was a little stressed and hungry yesterday and had way beyond the 1-2 tablespoons you suggest. I started feeling bad last night and am completely miserable today (bloating, gassy, burping). My stomach is churning! Since my doctor put me on the FODMAP diet I haven’t felt like this (over 6 weeks now) and the pumpkin seeds are all I can pinpoint. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Jaimie

      Thanks again! I finally started feeling better on Sunday and will be sure to limit the pumpkin seeds from now on. Amazing how foods can affect us like this! I love all that I am learning from your site!

      Reply

  • Amber Tracy

    I know that for nuts the serving is only a handful. Is that included for nut butter/peanut butter also? So for instance, If I have a handful of almonds in one day…. Can I have almond butter or peanut butter later in the day? If so how long should I wait in between?

    Thanks!
    Amber

    Reply

  • Courtney

    Hi Kate, is fresh squeezed orange juice something that should be avoided? Wasn’t sure as oranges are allowed, but I seemed to have a bad reaction to it.

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Courtney-This is a great question. An orange is acceptable as it has a limited amount of fructose in it, and a balanced glucose:fructose ratio. But when to make juice, you need lots of oranges, so the amount of fructose you consume may be over your personal threshold. This is known as a “fructose load”. We don’t have good studies looking at how much fructose makes a food or beverage too much of a fructose amount for the individual with IBS, so when it comes to juice the current recommendation is just 1/3 cup of orange juice–not too much, right?!

      Reply

  • Anita Eggink

    Thanks for your reply, Kate.

    I have not been tested for intestinal overgrowth. I am taking Tru Zen as a probiotic and am not sure if it is helpful. It is very expensive so I want to be sure it is helpful. I can not buy the enteric coated peppermint oil locally and plan to investigate the next time I am in the closest major centre.

    The crux of the matter is the cause of the epigastric pain I am having has not really been diagnosed. A gastrocopy ruled out peptic issues and a trial of an acid inhibitor was not helpful.I haven’t been able to find a link to diet to minimize the issue.

    I have gallstones and the thought is they are too big to leave the gallbladder but could be pressing up against the duct causing the pain. The pain is centered right beneath my breastbone. It is not daily. When I have it it can last as little as 1/2 an hour or be several hours in length. Severity of pain also varies.

    I am having more tests for gallbladder but these are not typical signs of gallbladder problems. I would HATE to have my gallbladder removed which is where this is leading with the hope it helps.

    What is your thought on could it be from the transverse colon? My doctors said no.

    On a positive note, I have been trialing the FODMAP approach since September and my symptoms of IBS-D (intestinal cramping, urgent need to defecate, diarrhea) has been most improved.

    I am an RD myself and I have been very interested in the FODMAP research happening. Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply

    • Sue

      Anita, You wrote this so long ago, so I sure hope you have total relief of your symptoms by now. I found that I had excess bile in my system and I am taking Welchol now, which is helping a ton. Your symptoms were like mine, so I thought I’d mention it.

      Reply

    • Betsy

      Gall bladder can mimic indigestion pain. I fought it for along time. U/S showed nothing as well as HIDA scan. Dr finally agreed to remove it. Found inflamed gall bladder with sluge. Symptoms were gone immediately!

      Reply
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  • katescarlata

    Hi Courtney- I would imagine it would be a minimal amount but I really don’t know the answer! I recommend to my clients to avoid those additives in supplements and medications when possible as FODMAPs have a cumulative impact on symptoms–avoiding them when possible at least on the initial phase of the diet.

    Reply

  • Cory

    Hi Kate,
    Is there a difference between HFCS and regular corn syrup, in terms of FODMAPs? Also, where does glucose fit into this? It’s in a strawberry jam I have.
    Has algae been tested for FODMAPs? Or hemp seeds? Also, I realized I’ve been assuming that chocolate (dark chocolate, with real sugar) is OK. True?
    Thanks ,
    Cory

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      HI Cory,
      Yes HFCS is a definite NO as it is a source of excess fructose. In general, we have allowed corn syrup but with further testing this may change-syrups are complicated.
      Glucose is well absorbed so not considered a FODMAP. I do not believe algae or hemp seeds have been tested yet. Chocolate is another grey area as I have not seen the analysis on FODMAP content anywhere, but I do allow in small portion. Chocolate seems to be is a big trigger for many with IBS though so small portion again, is key. Hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Cory

        Thanks Kate! I have been avoiding HFCS very carefully (even before FODMAPs), but was hoping that a little regular corn syrup once in awhile would be OK : ) Good to know about the chocolate portions – I think I’ve been overdoing it lately.

    • Cory

      Indeed! Speaking of chocolate, some chocolate chips (like Nestle) contain “milkfat.” Does this have lactose in it?

      Reply

      • Cory

        And on a slightly different note, are bok choy and napa cabbage both OK on the FODMAP diet? Bok/pak choy, napa cabbage, and white turnips are all classified as Brassica rapa (unlike other cruciferous veggies), so I was hoping to branch out to napa for a different texture – so much bok choy lately!

      • crosswind

        Milk fat = butter, so is not usually lactose free UNLESS it says it us. GHEE is lactose free, but typical butter is not. UNLESS IT SAYS LACTOSE FREE, IT’S NOT. FYI.

      • katescarlata

        The low FODMAP diet is not necessary a Lactose free diet but rather a low lactose diet. The trace amounts of lactose found in butter are allowed on the low FODMAP based on the guidelines of the researchers that proposed the diet. Certainly there are individuals with IBS that can not tolerate dairy altogether…but that in not a FODMAP issue but likely something else in the dairy that is triggering the symptoms.

  • katescarlata

    Honestly, I don’t think that napa cabbage has been evaluated for FODMAPs. Turnips are low in FODMAPs per the Australian booklet.
    I would perhaps try a napa cabbage challenge when you are ready to start challenging foods.

    Reply

  • Stephanie

    Hi Kate,
    When it comes to baking I’m a big fan of using Sucanat in place of regular sugar because of it’s vitamin and mineral content. I’ve seen it listed on the safe list somewhere, what’s your take on it?
    Thanks as always!

    Reply

  • katescarlata

    Stephanie-
    From what I understand Sucanat has some molasses in it which may be a source of excess fructose per USDA info. Most of the sugar in sucanat is sucrose which is considered a low FODMAP choice. Not sure it would be enough molasses to be a major trigger for those with fructose malabsorption so try with caution and assess symptoms.

    Reply

  • Beth

    I do have sibo, although not been tested. Antibiotics were recommended by my naturopathic dr. about 8 yrs. ago. They completely took away all the symptoms. Since then I have been on numerous antibiotics and I am getting tired of this. Xifaxan is expensive and I’m concerned as it is not working like it used to. My quesstion is can sibo symptoms be kept at bay with fodmaps diet after a round of antibiotics?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Not sure that theory has been studied but it makes sense if you stop feeding bacteria FODMAPs (which are fast food for them) that perhaps the numbers of bacteria may stay more stable.

      Reply

  • Beth

    Hi Kate! another question! Did you ever get diagnosed with sibo? If so, what did you do to get past the symptoms? I always gain weight with sibo without really eating much of anything. Any comments would be great! Thanks!

    Reply

  • Molly

    Hello Kate,
    Are wheat beers low FODMAP? Does the fermentation process effect the fructans? What beers are allowable?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I believe the FODMAP to be cautious is the polyol group. Some beers contain mannitol. Alcohol is a irritant to the gut so limited intake is advised. (also if gluten intolerant beer may contains barley a source of gluten)

      Reply

      • Molly

        In response, and just to clarify; Wheat beers (beers made with wheat and barley) like Hefeweizen are ok and FODMAP friendly, just consume them in small quantities.
        Thank you very much for your quick response.

  • Molly

    Hello again Kate,
    Another quick question. What soy product are low FODMAP? Is tempeh low FODMAP?
    Thank you again
    Molly

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      We don’t have info available on many soy products. I don’t allow tempeh at this point. As the diet evolves and we have more food analyzed that may change. Tofu is okay but soy flour, some soy milks (US brands not tested yet that I know of), and the soybean itself would not be allowed.

      Reply

  • Jaimie

    Hi Kate! I was wondering if there was any difference in FODMAPs between raw honey and refined honey. I know nutritional value is quite different. It really helps with my seasonal allergies but I don’t want to trade one problem for another. Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Jaimie- I have not seen any literature looking at the nutrient composition differences –particularly measuring fructose content in raw vs. processed honey. My guess is that there would not be a significant difference. Honey contains excess fructose and not other FODMAP groups so for this reason, you could try to consume a bit of glucose when you consume a small amount of it and this may aid its absorption. This is only applicable when a food contains only excess fructose compared to glucose and NO other FODMAP groups….mango and honey would be the most common examples that I can think of. 1 TB honey has 8.6 g fructose and 7.5 g glucose which makes it a source of excess fructose. For some individuals, taking a glucose tablet which often contain 5 g glucose can help offset the excess fructose and help your body absorb the fructose. better. Of course, work with a health professional to work out these details to best suit your health needs.

      Reply

  • Jaimie

    Thanks, Kate! I’ve been eating honey in small amounts so it may not be a problem for me. I’ll be seeing my doctor/nutritionist next week and will ask her for some more guidance.

    Reply

  • Kirsty

    Hi, thanks for all this info.
    I’ve been following the diet as best as i can for a while now, and for the most part it’s helped me a great deal. I am waiting to see a gastroenterologist and the moment.
    I am also trying to lose weight, so finding it pretty hard.
    My big issue is yogurts. Trying to find lactose free low fat yogurts in the UK is impossible.
    I use currently either Arla’s Lactofree or Alpro’s Soya Yogurts.
    I have read loads on Soya products and I am very confused. The Alpro Soya Milk, yogurts etc are lactose free, so I thought they’d be fine. Are they okay?
    I have trouble finding sweet snacks, I love the Sainsburys Free From ranges, but some do have inulin in so that can be tricky too.

    As an example of an Alpro Soya yogurt contents:
    Ingredients
    Water, Sugar, Hulled soya beans (7.2%), Blueberries (6%), Glucose-fructose syrup, Tri-calciumcitrate, Stabiliser (Pectin), Acidity regulators (Sodium citrate, Citric acid), Hibiscus and carrot concentrate, Natural flavouring, Sea salt, Emulsifier (Lecithin), Vitamins (Riboflavin, B12, D2), Yogurt cultures (S.thermophilus, L. bulgaricus), Antioxidants (Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopheral-rich extract).

    Allergies
    Dairy and lactose free. Gluten and wheat free. Produced in a nut free environment

    Nutritional Information
    Energy value 316KJ/ 75 kcal
    Protein 3.6g
    Carbohydrate
    9.9g sugars 9.7g lactose 0g
    fat
    2.0g saturated 0.4g mono unsaturated 0.4g poly unsaturated 1.2g
    Cholesterol 0 mg
    Fibre 1.2g
    Sodium 0.04g
    Calcium 120mg
    Vitamins vitamin B12 0,38µg vitamin D2 0,75µg riboflavin 0.21mg

    Many thanks

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Kings College London has GREAT low FODMAP resources and includes some UK brand name information. I would strongly encourage you to follow up with an RD in the UK that has accomplished Kings College FODMAPs course which seems to be very comprehensive from what I hear. Alpro plain yogurt is deemed low FODMAP in the Kings College booklet that I ordered. Other lactose free yogurt include Lactofree strawberry and raspberry yogurt. (In the US we are cautious to allow raspberries as our info has it a source of excess fructose)but it is allowed in UK and Aussie. Soy is a problem when the GOS remains in the final product so some soy products are not allowed including some brands of soy milk and yogurt and soy flour.

      Reply

  • Marie

    Hello Kate,

    I noticed in some of your responses you mention each country has foods that may or may not be FODMAP safe (i.e., pumpkin in US vs. AUS). Does this mean a low FODMAP may vary between countries? Also, where would I be able to find a list of which foods are safe for my area (i.e. Canada)?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Marie,
      That is a very good question. Manufacturing of foods and growing conditions may impact FODMAP content, that has yet to be fully explored. For now, we all rely on the AUD list for the bulk of the info. For some US foods-pumpkin and raspberries the info in inconsistent with the AUD info so I restrict on my check list–at least for now.

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      Karla,
      These are great questions…so many foods have not been tested so there remains a ‘grey’ area and we do our best educated guesses. I have not seen actual data on FODMAP content for almond milk or almond flour. Most of my clients have tolerated almond milk in normal serving–4-8 oz per sitting. Almond flour may be best in smaller portion as it contains the whole nut– additionally it is quite high in fat with 14 grams per 1/4 cup. Fat is not a FODMAP issue but many people with IBS have trouble with high fat meals as well.

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      Not sure figs have been tested and since it would be concentrated fruit anyway would say no on that. Carrageenan should be okay but I have not seen definite data on that. Maltodextrin technically should be low in FODMAP–but it is a bit tricky to know for sure as likely different manufacturers manipulate it….but that being said I do allow for now. The diet continues to evolve….it is a new diet, so stay tuned.

      Reply

      • Christine Danielewicz

        Please avoid carrageenan. It can cause bad reactions and a lot of damage over time. If you Google it you’ll find a lot of research about it.

      • katescarlata

        Unfortunately google provides much information that is not science based. There is little data–real science in humans–about carrageenan. I am not suggesting that I think it is good to eat a lot of ultra-processed foods with carrageenan every day— I take the approach that the overall diet should include a variety of foods–mostly plants, a variety of different fibers per tolerance and be well-balanced. It’s important not to get too entrenched in the food fear messages that are pushed in our faces every day–but have no science to support them. There is a group at University of Georgia looking at human studies and emulsifiers–there data will hopefully provide more guidance on this hot topic. There is also a very scientific paper recently published for those interested in reading

  • Alexandra

    This is the ingredient list for my favorite protein bars. Are any of the listed ingrdients not okay for the fodmap elimination? My concern was the inulin and the milk protein but perhaps the inulin is listed fare enough down to only contain a negligible amount? I am guessing milk protein isolate contains no carbs and thus nod fodmaps. Anything else signal an alarm?

    INGREDIENTS: Protein Blend [Whey Protein Isolate, Soy Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Calcium Carbonate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Gelatin, Calcium Caseinate], Protein Coating [Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Whey Protein Isolate, Cocoa Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Vanilla], Skim Milk, Sugar, Glycerine, Water, Corn Syrup, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Peanut Paste (Peanuts, Salt), Inulin, Salt, Coconut Oil, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Natural and

    Reply

  • Stephanie

    Question about alternative milks and yogurts. I’m pretty sure soy milk is out but what about rice, almond and coconut milks as well as yogurts. If there is no inulin added are they okay?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Rice, almond and coconut milk without any other FODMAP ingredients should be okay. Soy milk varies. I have not seen any data on US brands yet-info from my last twitter chat on FODMAPs provided this great info from one of the Monash researchers –>soy milks made with whole soybean would be high FODMAP and soybean extract would be lower FODMAP.– If you can find a coconut yogurt without inulin–please share. Manufacturers are adding inulin to everything from cream cheese, yogurt even sugar-free carnation instant breakfast….ugh! READ ingredients ALWAYS.

      Reply

  • Alexandra

    By the way, thank you so much for your responses! I love having a trusted go-to expert for IBS and FODMAP issues 🙂 It means a lot to so many people. I am studying to be a nurse practitioner and I might specialize in GI. I will reccomend your book and website to many IBS sufferers.

    Reply

  • Mickey

    I just found FODMAPS a couple of weeks ago – and although I panicked at the thought of figuring out what to eat, I don’t look pregnant anymore! Thanks for the great list.

    Mickey

    Reply

  • Maree

    Thanks Kate,
    Your website is most helpful.

    I just have one quick question regarding probiotics. I have just visited a dietician and I have started on the Fodmap elimination diet. She has recommended I start taking a probiotic, Polybac 8. I am a little concerned to do this now as I see that probiotics are listed in the high fodmap section of the chart.

    Are different probiotics different or should all be avoided?

    Many thanks

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Probiotics that contain the fodmaps– FOS and inulin (fructans) should be avoided during the elimination phase of the diet. I am not familiar with Polybac 8 but from what I have seen online it does not appear to contain these prebiotics– so may be okay.
      Typically I start the diet first to see how symptoms improve–and then add the probiotic next step so it is easier to figure out which changes have impacted your symptoms.

      Reply

  • K

    That sounds great! Also, on the last FODMAP-chat, Jessica Biesiekierski mentioned that they were testing chocolate. Any news on that?

    Reply

  • Melissa S

    Thank you so much for this information! I am still learning new information everyday! What about lunch meat? Is that high or low fodmaps? How is a ripe banana low fodmaps, and an unripe banana high fodmaps (I saw this on another website)?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Simple lunch meat should be okay unless seasoned with garlic or onions. FODMAP content CAN vary in produce depending on ripeness. Although a firm banana has less overall fructose than a ripe one, both firm and ripe banana still have more glucose compared to fructose so don’t think ripeness would really matter that much in bananas.

      Reply

      • Melissa S

        Is coconut flour high fodmaps? I had some this morning and felt some effects afterwards. I never thought of it, but since coconut is fruit it probably contains fructans. Also, during the elimination phase, do I have to avoid all high and low fodmap foods?

      • katescarlata

        Melissa–Coconut flour has soooo much fiber. My Bob’s Red Mill brand has 5 grams of fiber in just 2 tablespoons… so I do think it might be a troublemaker. I have not seen the FODMAP content for this flour so can’t say for sure. When on the elimination phase just stick with the low FODMAP foods listed in my check list and avoid all cautionary high FODMAP foods.

  • Stephanie T

    On the subject of coconut, I’m excited that coconut milk was found to be low-FODMAP. Are you aware of a specific allowable amount, like have <1/2 cup sweet potato or 1/4 avocado? Would like to add back into my diet in smoothies and soups but don't want to over do it.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I have not seen actual numbers on coconut milk–just heard that it was low FODMAP from the Aussie researchers present on the last twitter chat….BUT –the new composition booklet from Monash U should be out sometime soon–hopefully–and we’ll so much more info. Perhaps start with a small amount (1/2 cup) and see how you do.

      Reply

  • Kristina

    What are examples of FODMAPS in digestive enzymes or vitamins I should look for. Do you have a suggestion for a disestive enzyme product to use?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Fructose, sorbitol and mannitol may pop up in the list of ingredients…probably not that much in a pill but still want to be cautious. I believe the Garden of life Ultra digestive enzymes are free of FODMAPs.

      Reply

  • Rhonda Odegard

    Kate, I love the Low FODMAP diet. The best for IBS.
    I need a probiotic that is safe. You mention Wellness Formula. It has garlic in it. Culterelle doesn’t have enough organisms. I’m looking for something between 250,000-350,000. Also on the old and new FODMAP check list there is a quanity listed at the top. Less than .5gm per sitting, fructose less than 0.2g/serving, fructans and Polys less than 0.2 and 0.3g servings. I don’t know what that calculates out per serving size. How many cups, ounces or spoonfuls? Also in the black column the serving size is noted, does that pertain to the FODMAP friendly columns also? Or just the High FodMaps? Thanks

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Rhonda, Not sure what Wellness formula you are referring to…that has garlic in it? The culturelle (natural health and wellness formula) that I refer to does NOT have garlic to the best of my knowledge…perhaps there is a different brand you are thinking about. Number of organisms in a probiotic vary that is true BUT more is NOT definitely better. Most importantly you want to use a probiotic for the symptom or condition you are trying to manage and that you look at research into how much is necessary (in evidenced based medicine) to help manage that condition. There is so much mis-information about probiotics but a great resource is the World Gastr. Report found at the bottom of this reply.
      In regard to the cut off numbers on top of the column’s that is info really for the future when the Australian composition book is published–soon I hope. If certain amounts are mention in cups/or portions that is because they do have FODMAPs but the portion list should be tolerated okay.

      http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/export/userfiles/Probiotics_FINAL_20111128.pdf
      Hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Rebecca

    Hi! I have recently had a lot of success using the FODMAP approach to improve my IBS symptoms (cannot tell you how glad I am to finally have some control over it!).

    There is one thing I was wondering however – barley malt extract seems to be in all breakfast cereals here in the UK, I don’t know whether this is the same in the US. As it is “extract” I thought it probably wasn’t a fibre and therefore couldn’t be a FODMAP but I have noticed that too much of even non-wheat cereals (e.g. rice crispies, corn flakes) seem to cause me a bit of trouble. Do you think that it could be the culprit? The other possibility is that I don’t do corn so well …

    Any opinion you have on this would be most appreciated 🙂

    Reply

    • Helen Hull

      Rebecca, I get this too after eating rice crispies, corn flakes etc. I’m in the UK. Did you ever find out if it was barley malt particularly and/or gluten that triggered your symptoms? I’m on the reintroduction stage 2 of the diet. Thanks.

      Reply

  • Stephanie T

    Not sure if this has been addressed yet, but are you aware of any liquid or gummy multivitamins that are FODMAP friendly? I recently found one called Slice of Life that says allergen, casein and gluten free. Glucose syrup as well as natural flavors and colors are added. Finding one without added sugars is challenging! w

    Reply

  • Jennifer

    Kate,
    What about GF Brown Rice and GF Brown Rice pasta products? There is conflicting info posted on other sites about this. According to the chart above (which is what I use to shop with), it appears that the GF rice and GF rice products should be safe, but I just want to be sure for BROWN rice.
    Thanks!

    Reply

  • Susan Schneider

    I am struggling with a digestive disorder and severe weight loss. For this I’ve been using supplement powders in almond milk.

    Is it ok to drink almond milk with NO sugar content, and a Whey Protein Powder with the following ingredients. Cross flow micro filtered whey protein isolate (contains soy lecithin), micro filtered whey protein concentrate, natural vanilla flavor, sweet diary whey, hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate, ion exchange whey protein isolate ?

    Also, is it really not ok to drink soy milk either?

    Thanks for your great blog.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Susan,
      The supplemental powder likely has lactose due to the whey concentrate and sweet dairy whey.
      Soy milk–If soy milk is made with Whole soy beans it tends to be high in GOS–a FODMAP source, soy milks made with soy protein tend to be lower in GOS so likely could be consumed in normal serving size portion. I haven’t had a moment to look at the US soy milk options to see if any would fit this criteria set forth by the Monash researchers.

      Are you working with a dietitian to help you with your weight management? It may be a great idea to reach out to a FODMAPs knowledgable dietitian. My colleague, Patsy Catsos who is also a FODMAPs expert has a list of dietitians on her website http://www.ibsfree.net

      Reply

  • Dana

    Hi Kate. I have another soy question for you. I know you got a lot, but this one you haven’t been asked yet I don’t think and I’ve been wondering about it. I’m a vegan and have to be on a low FODMAP diet. Being a vegan and on a low FODMAP diet has been a bit hard. I have to make sure I get enough protein. That being said, I rely on tofu a lot. My question is about a tofu product I found that seems to be FODMAP safe, the only questionable ingredient I found is that it has ‘Isolated Soy Protein’. I’ve seen this ingredient in some other random products like bread, but I just stayed away from it thinking it was not FODMAP safe, but I want to ask you, a professional, what you think. Here is the link to the vegan cream cheese product I was looking at. It’s made by Tofutti. Just click ‘Read the Label’ below the picture to see the ingredients list. What do you think? Is ‘Soy Protein’ or ‘Isolated Soy Protein’ a FODMAP safe ingredient? Like I said, I’ve seen ‘Soy Protein’ as an ingredient in some other foods, so hopefully you can let me know if it would be safe or not. Thanks Kate.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I believe isolated soy protein should be low in FODMAPs. It is the carb portion of the food that has the FODMAPs not the protein. Soy protein should also be low in FODMAPs–may not be completely free of FODMAPs but lower that whole soybeans.

      Reply

  • Elyse

    Is the recommended serving size per meal or per day?

    Also is is a bad idea to combine FODMAPs, IE if I ate 1/2 C cauliflower and 1/2 C butternut squash in the same meal?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Cauliflower would not be consumed on the low FODMAP diet as it is a source of mannitol. Butternut squash may be consumed 1/2 cup per sitting–you could have it twice in one day but limit to one serving spaced about 3 hours apart.
      If you were to choose 2 moderate fructan/GOS foods at one meal you may be over you FODMAP tolerance point—those moderate choices should be limited to one choice per meal.
      Hope that helps!

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      US Pumpkin has not been tested for FODMAPs but will be early next year when I send some to Monash to be tested. It may be a source of mannitol, one of the polyols. It gets a bit confusing because the Australians call some squashes pumpkin so say that Japanese ‘pumpkin’ is okay but they are not referring to the pumpkin we eat in the US. Ironically, I am working on a recipe with pumpkin today–and I think for some on the low FODMAP diet it will be tolerated just fine. Mannitol malabsorption is less common than sorbitol malabsorption and I do find that many of my IBS clients can tolerate the mannitol containing foods (mushrooms, cauliflower) in reasonable amounts.

      Reply

  • Michele

    Can you tell me if Quaker Lower Sugar Instant Oatmeal is low in FODMAPS? It looks to me to be ok but I’d like to be sure.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I am not a fan of the sugar substitute sucralose–it has been shown in studies to alter beneficial gut bacteria. The Quaker lower sugar oats has sucrolose. Why not just use quick oats and drizzle with a little maple syrup–that would be FODMAP friendly?

      Reply

      • Steph

        Is it only the sucrolose that is a concern? Would regular Quaker Apples & Cinnamon instant oatmeal be okay? Thanks for all the great information!

      • katescarlata

        Apples are not allowed so no the Quaker apples and cinnamon instant oatmeal would not be a good choice. Plain oats with a drizzle of maple syrup would work with some blueberries. Table sugar and maple syrup are considered low FODMAP choices in small quantity. I am not a fan of sugar substitutes…but aspartame and stevia seem to be well tolerated.

  • Sarah

    Hi,
    I am just starting the elmination phase. I am confused about leafy greens, there seems to be so much conflicting information.
    I usually eat a lot of kale, swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, dandelion greens, beet greens etc. But since beets and dandelions are on some no lists, does that mean that their green tops are too? and kale is a relative of broccoli so is it high in FODMAPs too?
    I also have noticed that oats cause a huge problem for me, so it’s strange that they are not high FODMAPs. I know they have a protein that is similar to gluten (avenin) – but in far less quantities. It’s weird because oats seems to be worse for me than gluten containing grains like spelt. Do you have any thoughts on what I could be reacting to in the oats?
    thanks so much!
    Sarah

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Sarah,
      Leafy greens vary in FODMAP content. Spinach and Swiss chard have been tested and are low in FODMAPs. Dandelion greens are high FODMAP. Beet green, collard greens and kale–I have not seen info on for FODMAP content. The Monash team was testing kale recently–but I am not sure the results are out as of yet. Kale is a relative of broccoli so I am expecting it might be an issue. It could be the saponins in oats troubling you or perhaps an issue with the protein component. I do have a few clients that have trouble with quinoa and I wonder if this is due to the saponin content. There is scant literature about saponins making the gut more permeable –an area of digestive health that is interesting but needs to be studied more in humans. 100% spelt is lower in FODMAPs and often well tolerated.

      Reply

  • Naveen

    This is very useful information. Thanks for putting this together.

    Do you know if black coffee with brown sugar is considered low fodmap?

    Reply

  • Veena

    Kate – your blog is an amazing resource – thanks! I’m glad to hear that more research is being done in the US. You mentioned that coconut milk is OK. Could you please clarify which kind assuming there’s a difference. I think I react to canned coconut milk used for curries but not the coconut milk that is used as a milk substitute.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Thank you! I think coconut milk in any variety should be okay from a FODMAP standpoint unless there are unsuitable additives added to it. Curries often use the full fat coconut milk and fat can be an IBS trigger–additionally other curry ingredients such as onion, garlic and broths if added can up the FODMAPs too. I encourage the light variety of coconut milk and not to go overboard–maybe 1/2 cup per sitting.

      Reply

  • Kristina Allan

    I was wondering if Arugula was FODMAP friendly or not? and Radishes? Why is celery limited to one stick and i have seen green beans on another FODMAP list not to eat. THANKS!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Kristina- Yes Arugula (rocket) was recently added to the okay list, radishes and green beans are okay too! There are many outdated lists online. I am working on updating my checklist this weekend if time allows. 🙂

      Reply

  • Elaine

    Many thanks for this really wonderful resource, which has cleared up many points for me. Could I please ask whether capers are low-fodmap or not?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Elaine-That is an excellent question. I have not any research on capers BUT Sue Shepherd one of the FODMAP researchers included capers in her low FODMAP recipe book so I think they would be worth a try. Because testing foods for FODMAP content is labor intensive, expensive and really only done at Monash U–there remain many ‘grey’ areas….and some foods we just have to trial cautiously.

      Reply

  • Bettina Birk

    Hey kate,

    I am impressed with your answers, you seem to have a great knowledge of FODMAP, and your willingness to share. I am a RD with years of hospital gastro training before beoming a private prac. dietitian. I March this year Sue Shepherd was i Denmark for a seminar, and I was very inspired by the FODMAP diet, so I started investigating and learning more. Now I am counseling in the diet, and with great results. FODMAP is new in Denmark, with som private hospitals doing counseling and a public hospital doing reasearch on the diet (sadly not the FODMAP content of foods) and counseling and then me. So every time I have questions I have difficulty in where to address them. And it is basically the same kind of questions as is asked on your page. The actual content in foods. Lactose, fructose (and partly polyols) is no problem (only that the different databases reports different values), but where do you find information abour fructan and galactan (gos) content? would be grateful for your help. Best regards

    Reply

  • Kelly Kynion

    I’ve beem studying the site; am just starting to work with fodmap, and was wondering if you know whether carob and camu camu are acceptable in small amounts? I try to avoid chocolate so knowing about carob would be helpful. Also, the camu camu as a natural vitamin C supplement seems to have some positive effects, and I’d like to keep using it if possible. I’m gathering my forces for doing the full elimination phase.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I am doubtful that carob or camu camu have been tested for FODMAPs so I would suggest eliminating for the 6 week elimination phase and perhaps trial them when you start to re-introduce FODMAPs.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Figuring out FODMAPs | Les Délices de Fleur

    • katescarlata

      Mel, Coconut sugar has not been tested and I do wonder if it won’t make the low FODMAP ‘cut’ as it is a low glycemic sugar which makes me wonder if it is poorly absorbed and thus a food for bacteria. But I don’t know for sure….I have some that I am sending next month to the researchers at Monash in hope that it can be analyzed.
      Miso is fermented soybeans so I don’t allow–likely source of galacto-oligosaccharides one of the FODMAP groups.
      Glad you stopped by the blog!

      Reply
  • Pingback: Dieta Low Fodmap | Blog de Leon Hunter

  • Cyndi Sorenson

    Your blog is outstanding and so appreciated! I eagerly await the arrival of your book.

    Do you have information on flaxseed and chia fodmap content? Also on Sugarfree Vanilla Coffeemate.

    Thanks for your help,
    Cyndi

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Thank you Cyndi!
      Chia and Flax seeds are allowed but limit to about 3/4 Tablespoon max per sitting to keep under FODMAP limit.
      The Sugarfree Vanilla Coffeemate does not look like a major FODMAP source BUT it does contain sucrolose a sugar that I don’t recommend in general as it has been shown in one study to alter beneficial gut bacteria. Food products in general should be minimized for all of us as there are so many unknown additives to these types of ‘foods’! 🙂

      Reply
  • Pingback: December 2012 Potpourri: Food Safety App.; CeliacNow site; FODMAPs update | Sensory Nutrition

  • Sharon

    Hi Kate!

    I love your blog! You mentioned in an earlier post that results should soon be in for kale and collards. Any word yet? How about Napa cabbage? Coconut sugar? What about spaghetti squash?

    Are any of these ok in moderate amounts?
    Thanks for being there!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Good to have you stop by Sharon! Thought about you today in fact 😉
      Collards and kale are okay…YAHOO!
      Common cabbage made the okay list too! Surprisingly…
      Savoy cabbage has been tested too and portion is limited to 1 cup. No word on napa cabbage, coconut sugar or spaghetti squash.

      The Monash App should be out in about 2-3 weeks…they are working feverishly to get it to Apple–perhaps by Friday –then we will have access to lots more data…. I can’t wait to see this app in person.

      Reply

  • Lora

    Thank you for all this information! It’s much appreciated. I inferred from what you wrote that concentrated fruit, such as that in jam or pie is not okay. Is that right?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Concentrated fruit such as dried fruit and jams are a bit tricky–as drying them concentrates the amount of fructose and/or other potential fodmaps. Small amounts of appropriate fruit such as dried cranberries are okay in a 1 Tablespoon or less portion from info I received from Monash recently. I have not seen any info on jams but would gather that a small amount (2 teaspoons) on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be okay but not globs of it. Of course, pay attention to other ingredients in a jam that would make it a no-no such as high fructose corn syrup or inulin/ chicory root extract or made from a fruit that is high in FODMAPs.

      Reply

  • Shadia

    Hi Kate,
    Thanks for sharing all of you knowledge and recipes. I suspect that I have issues with digesting FODMAPs and I was hoping you could recommend RDs in NYC or Westchester NY area.
    Thanks!

    Reply

  • Leslie

    Hi Kate. I feel like I’ve researched the low FODMAP diet to death, but yet I’m still confused. I understand that HFCS is not allowed, but I see differing information about corn syrup and corn syrup solids. I was hoping that the FODMAP diet booklet from Australia would clarify this for me but unfortunately it did not. I saw in an earlier post that corn syrup solids are not allowed, but if that’s the case then why is Udi’s white bread recommended when it has corn syrup solids right in the ingredients list? I also don’t understand why brown sugar is OK if molasses is not. I would greatly appreciate any clarification you can give me. I have found your website and blog extremely helpful. Thank you.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Leslie,
      Unfortunately there are MANY grey areas with the low FODMAP diet–and that is because many food ingredients have not been tested so we rely on what info we can find in antiquated nutritional data bases. It’s frustrating for you and me…but it’s the nature of this diet until more food analysis is done. I allow corn syrup solids and corn syrup for now–but this could change as more corn syrups are tested. I have allowed brown sugar as Sue Shepherd allows it in her recipes and it appears to be well tolerated. Bottom line: Try your best to stick with whole foods that have been tested and food products that have minimal extraneous ingredients-at least for the first 2 weeks.

      Reply

  • Leslie

    Thank you, Kate. By the way I am a fellow RD with 25 years of experience and I am new to this diet both personally and professionally. My question now is, how likely is it that the foods that I have been avoiding (resulting in me feeling much, much better!) will need to be avoided for life? I have followed this diet since 10/2/12 and the foods that I have challenged thus far (milk and wheat) have both been poorly tolerated. Are most people able to reincorporate many of the foods initially avoided, or do most stay on the diet indefinitely? Thank you in advance for your help.

    Reply

  • katescarlata

    Hi Leslie,
    Tolerance to FODMAPs vary. From my experience working with many clients, most are able to tolerate some FODMAPs back into the diet. When challenging don’t go overboard, be sure to keep portions similar to what you might normally eat or even less, rather than try to push it.
    Milk and wheat are common issues…did you try sourdough white bread or a 1/2 Bay’s English muffins or a handful of pretzels?
    Many can tolerate the mannitol group–mushrooms or cauliflower.
    And glad you are feeling much better…that is awesome!! Let me know if you have any other questions. And you should come to one of Patsy Catsos and my FODMAP workshops in 2013…for dietitians-one in Bridgeport, CT and another in Laurel MD! Very fun and interactive.

    Reply

    • Leslie

      Thank you, Kate, and I will definitely attend your 2013 workshop in Bridgeport! If you already know the date I would love to know, otherwise I will watch for the information on your website. In the meantime, I will take it slow with the challenges and hope for the best! Happy Holidays!

      Reply

  • Rayna

    Hi, Kate, I’m a bit confused about the 3rd edition safe foods. For example, your list still includes almonds and excludes lentils and raspberries, although the new app moves almonds to the “unsafe” and lentils and raspberries to the “safe” list. Is this a regional/variety difference? Thanks.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Rayna–I believe it’s due to more recent food analysis and updates. The raspberries, are likely okay–I kept on my list as high fructose due to US data but it is likely antiquated and so will be moving raspberries to safe list with my new updates. Almonds are low FODMAP if you limit to 10 nuts–if you look into almonds on the app you will see 20 nuts is high FODMAP and 10 okay. It’s a portion thing. The lentil info and chick pea info are completely new to me–I am learning about the updates as you are too!

      Reply

  • Tom Pohlman

    My GI Dr. said to stay away from tomatoes in all forms. What are your recommendations?
    Is there a level of fructose that I should be looking to stay below in a serving of something?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Tom-
      Unfortunately I can’t advise you on the tomatoes as your GI may have his own reasoning on that. Monash U allows tomatoes in small amounts. 4 cherry tomatoes for instance.
      Fructose is a bit tricky. The low FODMAP diet excludes foods with more fructose compared to glucose in the food. The cut off is 0.2 grams excess fructose. I actually note the ‘cut off’ amounts on my check list. But there also seems to be tolerable amount of fructose even when it’s not in excess of glucose in a food– that individuals can handle–and that hasn’t been studied in the IBS population that I know of– For this reason, I encourage limiting to one fruit per sitting.
      Make sense? It’s a bit of a tricky concept.

      Reply

  • Rebecca

    This is such a great resource–thank you. I am trying to find a good creamer that is low in FODMAPs. My favorite from previous experience is Silk Soy Creamer. The ingredients seem okay to me, but would love some feedback. The listed ingredients are: All Natural Soymilk (Filtered Water, Whole Soybeans), Palm Oil, All Natural Evaporated Cane Juice, Maltodextrin (from Corn), Soy Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavors, Carrageenan.
    Would this be acceptable? I would like to add a couple tablespoons to my morning smoothies and maybe a tablespoon to coffee.
    Thank for the help!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Soy milk products made with whole soybeans would be a potential source of FODMAPs. So I would avoid this creamer while on the elimination phase of the diet. You could certainly try it as part of your challenge phase. Small amounts may be tolerated.

      Kate

      Reply

  • Brandi

    Would Sprite be ok to have on this diet? Also, I’m currently using coffeemate creamer which is gluten free and lactose free. Is this really ok to use? Could I use half & half?

    Can you explain why i can have hard cheese but not milk? I don’t understand this?

    Thanks for a great blog and your expertise.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Typically Sprite would have high fructose corn syrup so it is not allowed on the diet. I discourage the use of packaged creamers–too many unknown ingredients. Why not add lactose free milk to a cup of coffee? The low FODMAP diet is not a dairy free diet but rather one that is low in the milk sugar, lactose. Hard cheeses are created in a way that the lactose is separated out from the protein portion of the milk and as such most cheeses are low in lactose. Wetter cheeses such as ricotta and cottage would still contain a fair amount of lactose so would not be allowed on the low FODMAP diet.

      Reply

  • Meredith

    Thank you for such a thorough and helpful website and for being such a gracious resource! Are there any dietitians or nutritionists in Houston, TX that you recommend?

    Reply

  • Kristy Barnes

    Hi my daughter was just placed on teh fodmap diet. I was wondering if she could drink orange juice if it is 100% orange juice. Also what about chocolate and cookies and desserts. (She loves dessert)

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Juices tend to be a source of excess fructose and polyols so as a general rule they should be avoided on the elimination phase. Not sure what you mean by flavored water? Crystal light has Sucralose–which is not good in general for gut health so I would avoid. Water, lactose free milk, smoothies made with acceptable fruits and limits. lactose free milk or rice milk or lactose free yogurt such as Green Valley–would be healthiest choices.

      Reply

  • Ruth Anne

    I have recently been enjoying PC Lactose free sour cream and cottage cheese! I was wondering, are soy di and mono-glycerides ok? Is carob bean gum?

    Thanks,

    ~ruth anne

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Ruth Anne,
      I believe the di and mono glycerides would be okay–glycerin and glycerol may be a potential issue and it is difficult to see how these products break down in the body…but I think (operative word) that they would be okay.
      The gums are not FODMAPs–again from what I understand–they are longer chain carbohydrates. Gums and pectins however can cause gas. So…my advice, see how you feel when you eat them… Package food in general is somewhat of a grey area…as not all of these food additives have been tested for FODMAP content. Whole foods –meats, acceptable produce and grains that have been tested should be the focus on the elimination phase -as much as possible.

      Reply

  • HeidiLynn

    Thank you so much for this information! I was recently diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis. The follow – up with my surgeon left me scratching my head. He prescribed Entocort which has helped a lot but after tapering I am starting to have effects show up again. Today was another followup but it was with a gasteroenterologist!!! I was ecstatic while visiting with him. He answered so many questions and gave me the information listed above. I will give this a try and hope my colon heals faster rather than slower. I need my life back.

    Reply

  • kaz

    Hi Kate, had an interesting encounter with a banana I thought worth sharing. I’m on a strict FODMAP diet and so I make sure I have only a small amount of safe fruit at any one time. I had 1/2 a ripe banana one day. The next day the remaining 1/2 banana had that REALLY ripe smell but I ate it anyway. Result – terrible gurgling tummy, pain, and 2hrs later a rush to the bathroom for a D attack and also painful urination (which is one of my symptoms the FODMAP diet has eradicated). Obviously the sugar in the over-ripe banana had morphed into enough fructose to make mer very sick. Sticking to firm bananas from now on!

    Reply
  • Pingback: Kicked up Kale! « Well Balanced. Food. Life. Travel.

    • Stephen Pickering

      I’m quite surprised to hear about kale. I typically do quite well with items on the low FODMAP/safe lists. But for me kale sets off terrible attacks of diarrhea.

      Reply

      • Rayna

        About the kale, I would agree that it is an IBS trigger because of the insoluble fiber. But trigger foods don’t necessary have to be high in FODMAPs. Fat can also be a trigger for IBS. (See Canadian research on “FOODMAPS”.) I do not tolerate raw kale at all, and I would eat small quantities only if very well cooked, which helps to break down the fiber. I do a lot better with cooked chard and spinach and raw baby spinach. Everybody’s different; go with what works for you.

      • katescarlata

        Thanks for chiming in Rayna, I agree—the low FODMAP diet can be quite helpful for many with IBS but tolerance to fat, fiber, and other food constituents will vary from one person to another. I have some clients that can not tolerate dairy foods at all. They are not allergic to milk and it has nothing to do with lactose content–I think it might have to do with the opiate like chemicals in dairy that slow the bowel down–not a good thing for some with IBS-C. And on the other hand, many individuals tolerate lactose free dairy and some can tolerate dairy in any shape or form. Bottom line, may close attention to YOUR body and do what works for you.

  • AnDM

    Hi,

    Which book is the best book I can buy for more information about FODMAPdiet?

    I am very intolerant for fructose and lactose and my doctor recommends me the diet.

    I live in Belgium.

    Greets

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I like two books that are specific for the low FODMAP diet-my colleague Patsy Catsos has a very easy to follow low FODMAP diet book, IBS free at last–check it out at http://www.ibsfree.net I also love Sue Shepherd and Peter Gibson’s book called the Food Intolerance Management Plan–great recipes and review of the diet. My book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Well with IBS is a basic overview of IBS with an introduction to FODMAPs included.

      Reply

      • AnDM

        Do you also recommand “The Monash University Low FODMAP Diet booklet”. Or is the book of Sue Shepherd a better one?
        Shipping costs almost as much as the book : (.

        Thanx for your answer about the rice syrup. I buy this on
        http://www.frusano.com/Syrups/rice-syrup/rice-syrup-300g::682:61.html .
        It has only a small amount of fructose, I think I gonna try this.

        By the way, thanks for sharing all the info. I have IBS and intolerances since 2007 and I didn’t know what to eat anymore without suffering every day.

      • katescarlata

        I like both the booklet and Sue Shepherd’s book,The Food Intolerance Management Plan. The Monash booklet has more up to date info on foods allowed but Sue’s book has fabulous recipes and additional info. Tough call–I like them both for difference reasons.

        The rice syrup looks low FODMAP to me. The fructose is low and there is more glucose than fructose which is key.

      • katescarlata

        NO…but some are VERY easily modified–see below. My book was written in 2009 and was published in 2010–the diet has changed quite a bit since then–and continues to evolve. Many of the recipes are modified in FODMAPs however. Of note, garlic/onion salt/powder was considered okay back when I wrote the book. But if you simply sub in sea salt, sliced scallions (green part only) or a drizzle of garlic infused oil–they are perfectly low FODMAP! For instance, The cheesy dill dip, black olive tapenade, bruschetta spread, Tomato Salsa, Kevin’s Mini Beef Kabobs, Heavenly Halibut, Patrick’s Famous Quick-Fix Salmon, Burgers to Beat the band, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Alfredo Pasta with Shrimp and Spinach, Our favorite Tomato Basil Pasta, Roasted Vegetables to name a few…are all low FODMAP if you don’t add the garlic/onion powder/salt (how easy is that!).
        The other great news…is that I am working on a cookbook that will be ready to download in the next month! I am very excited about this project. Also, check my recipe page for current low FODMAP recipes to try. http://blog.katescarlata.com/fodmaps/

  • AnDM

    I see there is an app for Iphone. I have an androidphone and hope the app will be available soon. Thus the app contains the same info as the booklet?
    I ordered allready the other books. Hope they arrive soon.
    Is maltose a bad of a good sweetener?
    I underweight and the doctor proposed me to take Fantomalt (a supplement of glucose). I seem to have a lot of abdominal pains, is it possible it’s because of this supplement?

    Is Dextrose, like Dextro Energy, something low fodmap?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Is the supplement you are taking maltodextrin? Technically that should not pose a problem….but these manufactured products have some variables. For instance, in a study done by the Monash team looking at enteral formulas used in tube feedings–the ingredients on the label did not appear to contain FODMAPs but when they analyzed the products they did in fact have FODMAPs. Relying on some package items is okay–but this should not be a staple in the diet. REAL food first when possible to increase calories is what I like to encourage–less variables—I trust Mother Nature more than product manufacturers. How about simple maple syrup?

      Reply

  • Cathy Warren

    I am so thankful I have found your website. I have been studying it for a couple of hours. I am going in for a Fructose Malabsorption Breath Test at the end of February. One of my questions is… Should I be eating foods that contain FODMAPS to help the test be more accurate? I’m thinking about the Gluten test, and I know that in order for it to be more accurate, you have to be eating gluten containing foods prior to the test. I really don’t want to add the FODMAPS foods back in, but I will if it will make the test more accurate. Do you know of a reliable nutritionist that is up on the latest info. dealing with the FODMAPS diet in Georgia? I’m excited that we may have an answer to a lot of my health issues, but also a little nervous about taking so many foods out of my diet. I do not do well with meat, and have a very hard time digesting it. This will be a journey for sure. Thanks again for all you do <3

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      To the best of my knowledge, there is no need to add back fructose containing foods prior to testing. I don’t know of a dietitian in Georgia that is knowledgeable in FODMAPs. 🙁 It’s interesting you have difficulty digesting meat–is it the same for fish and lean chicken? Sometimes the higher fat meats are a challenge and may be due to issues digesting fat. Fat impacts IBS for various reasons. Fat stimulates the gut to move–which can be an issue for those with diarrhea. Also, some individuals have insufficient release of pancreatic enzymes so need to take supplements to break down the fat and I see numerous patients with fat malabsorption due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. (SIBO) Bacteria in the small intestinal can make your bile ineffective. Bile’s job is to help your body digest fats by making them into ‘digestible pieces.’ In SIBO, the bacteria make bile inactive. Bile is like ‘Dawn’ dishwashing liquid! Breaks down the fat into smaller units. Just some other things to think about! Not to confuse you–or overwhelm you–but rather educate.:)

      You ALL make my work have purpose and meaning. I know myself personally how difficult it is to live with digestive issues and no answers… Fortunately, I picked the right career many years ago that allowed me to find solutions sooner than later. I wish you success with the diet!

      Reply

      • Cathy

        WOW, thank you so much for taking the time to write me back in great detail. I wish you were in Georgia so we could sit down and talk 😉 You know more than my doctors do, and you’re willing to think outside of the box. Thank you!!
        Yes, I am definitely having a lot of things going on in my stomach and colon. I do have a really hard time digesting fats except coconut oil and grassfed butter. I seem to do o.k. with those. But fatty or fried foods seem to cause bloat and severe pain. I seem to do fine with fish and eggs, but it seems like when I eat chicken, even pasture raised chickens, my constipation gets worse, and I get a very strange thing going on with my feet. They hurt in a way I can’t really explain, maybe almost bruised or like they have gout (even though I don’t know what gout feels like). I have tried grass fed beef, bison, and I am about to experiment with deer. My constipation gets so much worse and I have stool that looks like ropes of undigested meats or something. Sorry if TMI, but maybe you have an idea of what it could be.
        I have no problems with diarrhea, but chronic constipation. I have to drink bags and bags of Smooth Move to be able to go. I have also tried the high quality brands of Enzymes with the Ox Bile and high levels of the enzymes that help with fat and protein, but they don’t seem to work. I have been taking them for a few years, and yes, I have tried other brands.
        I’m hoping that this Fructose test will give us some answers and maybe he will test me for some of the other things you have mentioned. Praying for answers. I don’t mind following a certain diet if I know I “need” to and that it will help me.
        Again, thank you so much!!
        Blessings,
        Cathy

      • katescarlata

        Cathy, I would really encourage you to be tested for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Be sure the test measures both hydrogen and methane gas. Constipation predominant IBSers tend to have more methane producing bacteria…methane makes the bowel sluggish. Treatment for SIBO is rifaximin–an antibiotic. Sometimes the docs will add neomycin for people that are constipation predominant. On a side note, I lived in Georgia for 2 1/2 years while I attended Emory U in Atlanta–I ended up transferring out when I decided I wanted to be a dietitian. Too bad I wasn’t still there.:) I certainly like the weather better than the cold of Boston!!
        The chicken reaction is interesting. You don’t have tingling sessions do you? Have you had your B12 level checked?

  • Martine-Aimee

    Thank you so much for this updated list! It’s nice to know we have the most up to date information. I was wondering, are condiments like mayonnaise, soy sauce and vinegar low on fodmap?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Mayo should be okay…but check ingredients to be sure-mostly eggs and oil–which don’t have FODMAPs. Soy sauce is low FODMAP–though it contains wheat it is in very small amounts– not enough to pose a prob. Most vinegars should be okay but Balsamic vinegar should be limited to 1 Tablespoon per sitting and I imagine apple cider vinegar as well….but I have not seen any data from Monash on apple cider vinegar.

      Reply

  • Leslie

    Hi Kate. I seem to be unable to tolerate oats, even though they are on all of the low FODMAP lists. I have tried them several times, always with the same results. Have you ever heard of this before? Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Yes, I have Leslie. Some individuals can’t tolerate oats. This could be for a number of reasons. Oats contain saponins which can increase intestinal permeability also known as leaky gut. Or, perhaps its a gluten issue as oats often contain gluten due to cross contamination in the fields or in the processing –Have you tried gluten free oats? Or perhaps due to lack of digestive enzymes that break apart starches in the intestine. FODMAPs is one piece of digestive health for IBS and an important one. But we are all a little different so may need additional dietary modifications.

      Reply

      • Cory

        Hi Kate,

        Could you say a little more about the digestive enzyme issue and how that plays a role in symptoms? How would someone know if this was a problem for them? What foods could be triggers: just starch, or anything? Thanks!

      • katescarlata

        Cory, in some individuals the enzyme–sucrase-isomaltase production is minimized and this can impact digestion–but is thought to be rare. I am not an expert in this (disclaimer!) but I do like to research anything to do with digestive health… To determine if production is low–this can be done with a small intestinal biopsy and I believe a breath test too can be used to evaluate this disorder.

  • Diane

    I’m very surprised that bananas are on the FODMAP friendly list since they contain inulin. Inulin, from everything I’ve read, is definitely on the do not eat list! I’ve been on the FODMAP plan for a couple of years now with pretty good success, however I still have bad days form time to time. I discovered bananas had inulin in them myself when I kept having trouble every time I had a banana. I couldn’t figure out why until I was doing a search one day on inulin on the web. I discovered from info on the web that inulin is in bananas. BINGO! It immediately got my attention! That’s why I shouldn’t be eating bananas! Why is it on the friendly list? Does anyone else have a problem with bananas?

    Staying on the FODMAP plan keeps me gas and bloating free, but I always have hard stools that are painful to pass and is accompanied with a yellowish, acrid mucus that seeps out at any time. I have been able to help the hard stools with taking Miralax regularly, but the mucus is something I always have to be prepared for by wearing light pads most of the time. What do you suppose that’s all about? Do you know of a Dietitian in the Bridgeport, CT area that could help me? I know you’re having something going on for dietitians on April 5th in Bridgeport, but not being a dietician I can’t go. Too bad! Would love to be there.

    Thank you for all the help you give to everyone. You are a blessing to many!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Diane, I would wonder about inflammatory bowel disease with your symptoms–so consider following up with your doctor.
      The Monash team have tested bananas and have allowed them on the diet. I know there is info online that suggests they may be a trigger or contain inulin but many of my clients tolerate them without an issue. After the Bridgeport workshop, there will be several RDs in the area that will be educated on the diet–so follow up with Patsy Catsos’ RD list on IBSfree.net when looking for a dietitian to work with. She will likely have RDs add their name to her registry.

      Reply

  • AnDM

    Do you know Kalisse Wood /Glycyrrhiza glabra? Is it fodmapfriendly? When I have gastritis, I feel much better when I “eat” them. It taste quiet sweet, so I doubt it’s fodmad friendly?

    I am so confused about all the sweeteners. Maple syrup is ok. My RD says to use aspartame, but I read lot’s of bad things about this (cancer,…).
    Table sugar can be used in very small amounts I suppose? What about cane sugar, icing sugar?

    In Belgium there is almost no knowledge about the fodmapdiet. The RD and doctors asked me for “testing” the diet.
    I am so happy with your blog, it helps me a lot!!! I want to start my own Dutch blog to help other people and to share our experiences.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I am not a fan of artificial sweeteners so to add a hint of sweetness try a drizzle of maple syrup or cane sugar. Icing sugar is fine too. And you should write a blog and help others in Belgium. I don’t know anything about Kalisse Wood/Glycyrrhiza glabra.

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      Passing mucus in the stool is not harmful in and of itself, but it could be a symptom of a disease or condition that may require treatment. It can be found in IBS but is also seen with infections and inflammatory bowel disease and should be evaluated by a doctor.

      Reply

  • Katie

    Hey! Great site.
    Do you have any ideas around the safety of taking echinacea, licorice or vitamin c? I’m finding when I get a cold and take anything with immune boosting ingredients, although being careful, I’m getting IBS symptoms. Mostly gas. Just wondering if it could be the amount of vitamin c tablets or something in the ease-a-cold (an australian natural medication based around echniacea)

    Kate

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Katie–It could be the Vitamin C which can contribute to diarrhea not sure about gas– if you want to send ingredients in the products you are using I can try to help decipher them. Not sure about echinacea.

      Reply

      • AnDM

        ECHINACEA contains inuline, so maybe not fodmapfriendlY?

        LICORICE contains
        Carbohydrates:
        SHORT : 2,5% glucose
        2,5 to 5 % sucrose
        COMPLEX: 20 to 30 % starch
        30% Cellulose
        1,5 % gum

        I found this info in the book ” large handbook medicinal plants” Author Dr. Geert Verhelst.

  • katescarlata

    Alexandra–I am not sure about turnip leaves–if I had to guess, I would think they would be low FODMAP and common cabbage is the smooth round green cabbage–not sure about the purple–yes, often used in coleslaw.

    Kate

    Reply

  • Lisa R.

    Hi Kate,
    I found organic canned lentils at Whole Foods, and the ingredients are only water, organic lentils and sea salt! The brand is Westbrae Natural. Lisa R.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      AWESOME Lisa!! Since Monash has ‘okayed’ canned lentils on the low FODMAP diet –in 1/2 cup serving–this looks like a perfect brand!! I will check it out. Thanks for sharing with ALL of us!!

      Reply

  • AnDM

    I make my own bread with a mix of different flours.
    I use 1/4 buckwheat or rice flour and 3/4 spelt flour (100% spelt, wheat free). Is this ok, or do I have to try to make it without speltflour? When I only use buckwheat or rice flour my bread is flat.

    Is Teff ok to use?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Spelt has been tested at Monash and found to be low FODMAP–but spelt can be cross contaminated in the field so it may be that some spelt flours are better tolerated than others. I would give it a try in your bread. Most gluten free grains seem to be lower in FODMAPs so perhaps give teff a try. I have not seen any published data on teff so can’t tell you for certain if it is low in FODMAPs.

      Reply

  • AnDM

    Hi Kate,

    Do you know something about the results of the breath tests. I did the test for fructose in a hospital. My result was 137. The doctor says to limit my fruit intake, he didn’t talked about the FODMAP. Another doctor told me to follow the fodmap, but he couldn’t give me a dietician specializing in the diet. In Belgium they are just introducing the diet, which make it difficult for me.
    My dietician said I’d better do not eat fruit. I avoid fruit but I miss it a lot and I hope to introduce it again without lot’s of problems.
    Yesterday I ate carrots and I felt very bad. Lot’s of flatulance and convulsions. Is it possible that carrots contain to much fructose?

    Reply

  • Martine-Aimee

    I purchased the fodmap app and it has helped me greatly; I recommend it to everyone trying the fodmap diet, it will make your life a lot easier!
    However, I did not find any info on pectin. I live in Canada and the only lactose free yogourt I can find contains pectin; is that low or high fodmap??
    thanks!!!

    Reply

  • Rachel

    Hi Kate. All of your information on here has done wonders for me so far.

    I was wondering if you could tell me what you know about coffee that is infused with flavour.
    I usually just buy Moccona instant coffee but by mistake, picked up the caramel infused version. Would this be ok to have for the low FODMAP plan? I don’t want to set myself back to square one if I have it!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Rachel–Is there ingredients on the label of the coffee?–if it just a caramel flavor–I would think that should be okay. But check and report back if you are unclear about what is listed.

      Reply

  • Ellie

    Hi Kate,

    I am benefitting from the FODMAP elimination, where I am eliminating everything on the list for a month now, and after 6 weeks I am meant to challenge it. The Arizona University website recommends to challenge one at a time with:
    • Lactose: ½-1 cup milk
    • Fructose: ½ mango or 1-2 teaspoons honey
    • Fructans: 2 slices wheat bread, 1 garlic clove or 1 cup pasta
    • Galactans: ½ cup lentils or chickpeas
    • Sugar alcohols (polyols): Sorbitol, 2-4 dried apricots; Mannitol, ½ cup mushrooms

    As the challenge foods. Are these the best ones to use? And would I do it on an empty stomach in the morning, and only be eating rice the rest of the day and monitoring symptoms for three days right? Thing is I find milk extremely disgusting for one, I am not sure if I can manage it! Is there an alternative testing thing for lactose, or is that really best? And is it in fact easy to notice and monitor symptoms, or is it often very small mild reactions you get upon challenging it? Thankyou!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Ellie, Perhaps try 6-8 ounces of yogurt for the lactose challenge. When challenging foods, its best to trial them on your low FODMAP diet. No need to just eat rice. The challenge foods selected are key foods as they contain only that FODMAP (although beans have a combo of Fructans and GOS (galactans). ) Testing for fructose malabsorption would not be undertaken with an apple as it contains other FODMAPs such as sorbitol and it would be difficult to figure out which FODMAP group was an issue for you. As a reminder 🙂 the low FODMAP diet is best undertaken with the help of a knowledgable dietitian whenever possible.

      Reply

      • Ellie

        Hello, yes plain yoghurt then, I can do that!

        I would have a dietician if I were in the UK currently, but I am in Germany and also very poor. I have just challenged the Fructans with white bread and I am finding quite the reaction; is the best way to go ahead, to wait two weeks till symptoms are definitely back to normal, and then challenge the same food again? How many times should I challenge a problematic food product? I have been eating low fodmaps very strictly for 6 weeks, trying to keep it nutritional though. I had the bread late afternoon, and this morning I still have tummy rumblings, which seems to be as a definite thing to continue cutting out a while. Post challenging food groups, do I challenge individual foods, eg. onions, in the same way? Thanks for being my online resource! I don’t think FODMAPS is even a thing here yet, even if I could get a dietician..

      • katescarlata

        Ellie, Certainly let you body calm down and be symptom free for at least 3 days before undergoing another challenge. I have yet to have a client pass the onion challenge –but its worth a try. 1 TB of onion is a good portion to rechallenge with. I would hold off on the bread challenge for a while –a few months perhaps and then you could re-try it. You don’t want to keep aggravating your symptoms.

      • Ellie

        Also, in paying so much attention to my own body – am naturally keeping a diary of reactions during challenge phase – it has been snidely pointed out to me that I may in fact have more of a reaction if I am focusing so much on it, which is a sort of catch 22 situation as you need to note the reaction! So it is probably best to try challenge it a few times? I found I mainly got a lot of trapped gas for both ends and stabby stomach and some bloating. I am not sure if my body could simulate the gas in a sort of way of expecting a reaction?? Sorry this is so odd to ask!

      • Ellie

        Ok, and to clarify, TB is Tablespoon right? I think this challenge yesterday has made me realise how much the low fodmaps helps! I mean I noticed a big improvement, with a few occassional issues still (perhaps even normal gut feelings, who knows!) but I actually realised what it had been like pre-FODMAPs, and I am glad, as it will make me continue as strictly as I have been going! I was worried after inviting foods back in, that the difference would not be big enough for me to get back on the FODMAP wagon. Thank you for your support!

  • JudeNZ

    Kate, what a wonder you are. Have just read the whole blog this afternoon. I have no idea how you find the time to answers all these queries and so knowledgeably and graciously also!

    I am on Day 3 of the FODMAPs (elimination diet) and trusting this will be beneficial for me.

    Have read that with IBS flare ups, it is useful to eat less than more raw veges. Would that help reduction in pain levels?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Jude- I think reducing raw veggies can be helpful for some people–but not all. From my experience, those with IBS-D tend to have more trouble with raw veggies–but again this is variable. I think the pain is often due to the distention from gas and trapping of gas and fluid due to the abnormal motility pattern of the IBS intestine….and the low FODMAP diet seems to really help with this. And thanks for your kind words…I do try my best to keep up with all the queries and answer to the best of my knowledge 🙂

      Reply

  • Bernadette

    Hi Kate,

    Where did you get in info about cabbage being safe? I’m quite excited about this, haven’t eaten it in 3 years!

    Bernadette

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Bernadette, The Monash University app has common cabbage (the smooth green skin) as allowable at a 1 cup serving. Savoy Cabbage, however, should be limited to 1/2 cup per serving. YUP, yay for cabbage. AND, my clients that have tried it…tolerated it well!

      Reply

      • Bernadette

        Great, I haven’t been more excited than when they listed broccoli as suitable in small amounts (when I was diagnosed it was a nono). I wasn’t going to bother getting the app because I thought I was pretty up to date with the research but I think I will now 🙂

      • katescarlata

        Bernadette, the best part of the app is its always with me. Even though I live, breath and eat low FODMAP–sometimes I might forget a portion size or some of the red light foods. It’s so nice to have the app at my fingertips!

  • Beth

    Kate,
    Is swiss chard allowed on the low fodmap diet? And canned lentils are now allowed? Is there a limit on the amount of green beans, peas, pumpkin, sweet potato and butternut squash? Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Yes Swiss Chard is allowed-1 cup chopped/serving Yes, canned lentils are now allowed–1/3 cup limit. Green beans are low FODMAP–the Monash app says 10 beans. Peas are limited to <1/4 cup, sweet potato limit is 1/2 cup, butternut squash 1/4 cup. US pumpkin has not been tested. Hope that helps Beth. If you have an iPhone or iPad--I highly recommend the Monash University low FODMAP app.

      Reply

      • Jennifer

        If peas are OK in small quantities (1/4 cup), would a pea protein isolate probably be safe? (I think ‘Pulsin’ describe theirs as containing 0.1g carbohydrate, & 0.2g fibre per 10g serving). Many, many thanks, Kate, for this brilliant resource – your dedication & sheer generosity with your time & expertise, are truly remarkable! Jennifer.

      • katescarlata

        Jennifer–the jury is still out on pea protein. I have found my patients seem to tolerate small amounts found in Macro bars–so I imagine a little would be okay. The cut off amounts for most FODMAPs range from 0.15-0.3 grams per serving (depending on the FODMAP)–so if the amount you are consuming contains very little from carbs–I would imagine you would be good.

  • AnDM

    I want to buy some glutenfree bread but I found it hard to find a suitable one. I saw one that seems to be ok, except 1 ingredient I doubt about. It contains sweet lupine flour. Is this a problem? It was at the end of the list of ingredients.

    Reply

      • Leslie

        I have come to love Udi’s white bread as well, but I have three questions related to this bread: Why is the recommendation always for the white and not the whole grain? Is it the presence of dry molasses in the whole grain? Why does the bread not appear to be dated? (tough to know how long it’s been sitting in the back of the freezer at the grocery store). And any idea why the slices are so small?? Thanks!

      • katescarlata

        The molasses may be a source of excess fructose so that is why I don’t initially recommend the whole grain. BUT many of my clients have been able to incorporate the whole grain Udi’s so perhaps its not too big a dose. Not sure about the dating on the bread–I have not noticed this. I would contact Udi’s–and when and if you do, encourage them to stop changing their ingredients…another issue that has come up recently! ALWAYS re-check ingredients on manufactured goods!

  • Corina

    Hi! I have lived with IBS for 20 years. It is just a part of my life. I am uncomfortable at all times. But, most people don’t know because I smile and pretend I am not living with it. I am new to the low fod-map diet and I love cheese and chocolate. I have lots of questions, but can not find any information about laughing cow cheese. Is this allowed? Do I have to watch every item that has dairy in the ingredients, like protein powder? Thank you for this website. It is the best I have found online. I am determined to follow the diet and make positive changes to the way I feel. Thank you!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      The low FODMAP diet is not a dairy free diet but rather low in Lactose. Laughing cow cheese should be okay from a lactose stand point–just don’t pick the ones with onion and garlic. Chocolate has not been officially tested for FODMAPs but I do allow my clients to have semi-sweet chocolate chips and they do not seem to have a problem.

      Reply

  • Diane

    I’ve been on the FODMAP and also gluten free diet for over a year now and also eat Udi’s bread. It’s the best gluten free bread that I’ve been able to find. I really like it! The whole grain is what I get and is the best for me, since there’s inulin in the other. I can’t tolerate inulin. I’d rather have whole grain anyway since it should be healthier for you.

    Reply

    • Corina

      I also buy the whole grain and not the white. I know it goes old, I did not eat the last loaf fast enough and it did get mold on it. The calories are low for 2 slices of bread and yes it is smaller. I load mine with veggies and toast it to use as bread crumbs on salads for that crunch that I love in a salad. It is very good with laughing cow cheese. Enjoy!

      Reply

    • Karen Zaorski

      I’m reading the ingredients list on the Udi’s White sandwich bread now…no mention of inulin on the label. I keep my loaf in the freezer. The slices pull apart easily when I want 1 or 2 of them for toast or a sandwich.

      Reply

  • Rayna

    I may be wrong, but I think the difference between the Udi’s white and whole grain breads is not that one has white rice flour and the other has whole grain rice flour. They both have brown rice flour, but the “whole grain” bread also has teff flour.

    Reply

  • Leslie

    Hi Kate. What are your thoughts about sorbitol-containing toothpastes? I am obviously not swallowing my toothpaste, but I am extremely sorbitol sensitive and wondered if I should be concerned about this. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Helena

    Hi Kate

    Thanks so much for the effort you put into this wonderful resource 🙂

    I don’t have a smartphone, so no apps for me, but I noticed that, for instance with tomatoes, the above pdf just lists them as OK, but you responded to another poster that Monash app only recommends them in very small quantites, such as 4 cherry tomatoes. However, I love veggies in generous quantities. Are there any that can be eaten in large quantities, or should even the ones on the safe list be limited?

    Thanks

    Helena

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Helena-this is a GREAT question!! Unfortunately I can’t give you a definitive answer as much of the data on food analysis is not published yet. The app has foods put in portions but some of them are less than what technically should be the cut off for the food. For instance the app lists 4 baby spinach leaves as the cut off but then notes that likely more will be tolerated in the information listed about spinach. So…I think to make a general rule–I would not eat HUGE quantities of veggies as it would be easy to consume too many fructans/GOS. Kale and arugula have the largest serving size==1 cup– that I noticed so perhaps make a nice salad of either as a ‘filler uper’

      Reply

      • Helena

        Thanks for the reply, Kate. I guess I just need to experiment with types/ amounts as cutting down on veggies is kind of ‘against my religion’ 😉

  • Stephen

    I’m with Helena. I was raised by a gardener, with fresh vegetables available all summer long. I was one of those odd kids who always loved broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, salads, you name it. Some days I crave a plateful of SOMETHING fresh.

    Reply

  • Rayna

    I know how you feel. Summer and the farmers’ market are depressing to me now. I often think my diet includes less “healthful” foods now just to keep my gut from making me crazy. In the midst of summer, sometimes I will just go ahead and eat something like a really fragrant piece of fruit to remind me that the few minutes of enjoyment are not worth the two days of suffering. Other times I can eat a small amount of something and avoid all other moderate to high FODMAP foods that day and get away with it.

    Reply

  • katescarlata

    A farmer’s market still has so many yummy and healthy low FODMAP foods. Some foods need to be kept at smaller portions but many can be enjoyed….think zucchini, tomato, summer squash, eggplant, blueberries, strawberries, salad greens, fresh herbs, kale–I like to think of what I CAN enjoy without pain rather than what troubles my gut!

    Reply

  • AnDM

    I can’t tolerate rice drink, even the unsweetened ones cuases a lot of bloating and abdominal pain. Almond milk gives less problems (% of carbohydrates is much lower then rice milk)

    I found a new product in the supermarket :
    Brand: Ecomil – Quinoa Milk powder instant drink.
    http://www.naturalhealthorganics.com.au/Ecomil-Quinoa-Milk-Powder-Drink-400g-pr-3107.html
    It contains: quinoa, almond oil and corn maltodextrine. Do you think this could be a good substitute for rice milk?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Not sure if Ecomil quinoa milk would be okay. I haven’t seen any official data on quinoa milk. Are you trying rice milk or is it another product. Plain rice milk should not pose a problem from a FODMAP standpoint. Perhaps something else is triggering your symptoms?

      Reply

  • AnDM

    I tried it allready several times, and each time I had pain and bloating. I ate it with foods listed on the elimination diet phase from Patsy Catsos (non bold food only, so I suppose safe foods), I took only 1/2 cup.

    The ingredients of the rice milk are :
    water, rice 11%, vegetable oil (sunflower), emulsifier (E322 = lecithin) and sea salt.
    Total carbohydrates 10,8 gram / 100 ml, of which 4,4 gram/100 ml sugar.

    Could possibly the lecithin trigger me?
    Or could the amount of total Carbohydrates be too much for me?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Not sure–lecithin would not be a FODMAP issue. And I don’t think it would be a total carb issue but certainly some individuals lack enzymes to break down carbs–sucrase isomaltase deficiency.

      Reply

  • JudeNZ

    Hi. have done more than 3 weeks on the elimination diet and am doing it SO strictly. The most pain free days were 5 in a row. I still have so many painful days/bloating etc and am wondering if I just need to persevere with the diet. Or are there other foods not on FODMAP that also need to be eliminated?

    WOuld appreciate your thoughts, Kate.

    Reply

  • JudeNZ

    Thanks for quick response – unsure what is SIBO – colonosocpy showed irritational of bowel so not sure what other tests I sh ask for.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Mary, You can take probiotics while on the low FODMAP diet but its not really recommended to start both probiotics and the diet at the same time as you would not know if the diet or the probiotics were helping you. So try to keep to one change at a time. Also, choosing the right probiotic without FODMAP ingredients might be helpful as well. FOS or inulin are often added to probiotics as a source of pre-biotics but they are sources of fructans (FODMAPs) so choose probiotics without those added.

      Reply

  • Anja

    Hi ,

    I’ve just started the diet, so I am having a bit of a hard time putting a dish together that pleases my tastebuds. Are sundried tomatoes fine by any chance ?
    I know tomatoes are, but tomatoe paste isn’t and dried fruit aren`t , so I`m a bit unsure what category sundried tomatoes would be in ?

    Thanks from France – Land where nearly noone has heard about Fodmaps yet !

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Well good news Anja my new cookbook–downloadable– it up on my website for purchase–perhaps you will find some fun recipes! Here is the link to the cookbook! http://www.katescarlata.com/fodmap.htm Very small amounts of sun dried tomatoes are okay–1 Tablespoon to be exact! Otherwise more than that can be a source of excess fructose. And glad you found me in France—Paris is one of my favorite places in the world!

      Reply

  • Cidalia

    Many other IBS-related sites say that coconut and coconut milk are NOT IBS-friendly. Some IBS sufferers seem to have more gas and diarrhea when consuming coconut milk.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Cidalla, Old data online has coconut milk as a source of excess fructose-but that has been proven to be false. Certainly full fat coconut milk can be tricky as fat can stimulate intestinal motility.

      Reply

  • Linda

    i started the fodmap diet and my main symptom is gas no stomach pain some days are better than others.peppermint I’ve been told is okay what about fennel tea? do i have to go gluten free or wheat free? i’m a little confused?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Linda, the low FODMAP diet is mostly wheat free–it is not a gluten free diet per se. FODMAPs are carbohydrates and gluten is protein. But there is some overlap as both diets modify wheat, barley and rye. Fennel tea should be fine as fennel leaves and fennel bulb are both low FODMAP. Check for other ingredients in the tea to be sure.

      Reply

  • Linda

    thanks for clearing this up would french bread be allowed? i”ve read that it should be. another ? is karo syrup a low fodmap? i know high fructose corn syrup is not allowed arent they the same? what about karo syrup solids?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Linda, French bread would be a source of wheat and not allowed on the elimination phase. Corn syrup and corn syrup solids should be low FODMAP–however, I would love to have some of these syrups tested as I do wonder if some brands may have some FODMAPs. But for now, I do allow them with my clients.

      Reply

  • Kris

    Hi,
    I really love this site! It has so much information. Thanks, Kate.

    I am looking for interesting things to drink on the elimination diet. Are there any sodas I can drink from Whole Foods?

    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Kris–I recommend sticking with water or seltzer (if you can stand the bubbles.) You could add plain cranberry juice–made without high fructose corn syrup–a splash (1/3 cup) with a lime wedge to add some flavor. Soda made with real sugar could be too much of a fructose load so I don’t encourage it. And I am not a fan of fake sugars. Gatorade has a G series Perform 02 thirst quencher made with sugar and dextrose that should be well tolerated–perhaps in a 6 ounce portion.

      Reply

  • Rayna

    I do okay with Kool-Aid made with half cup sugar and half teaspoon pure stevia extract (powder form) (not Truvia with those -tol sweeteners added). I store it in the frig this way. To drink, I water it down to 50%. The lemonade flavor is too acidic for me. Grape and watermelon kiwi (artificially flavored watermelon, plus this flavor has no food coloring) are my favorites.

    Reply

  • Rayna

    Also, I forgot to mention Celestial Seasonings Green Tea Decaf Mint and Tension Tamer make super iced teas. The Tension Tamer is really refreshing but bothers me if I have more than one glass, probably due to the chamomile. (All chamomile tea makes me queasy, but I have pretty bad seasonal allergies.) Hope this helps!

    Reply

  • Claire

    Hello. I have severe IBS and have followed many diets without results. How long should I follow the FODMAP diet if I don’t see results? In other words, how long does it take for this diet to show results?

    Reply

    • Claire

      One reason I’m asking is that I once did a 17-day cleanse of just hot water mixed with lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne. So I guess I wasn’t consuming any FODMAPs, and I was still experiencing IBS.

      Reply

      • katescarlata

        It sounds to me Claire that the low FODMAP might not offer relief if you did a 17 day cleanse with low FODMAP ingredients and still did not feel well….however, I do wonder how anyone could exist off maple syrup and lemon juice. I hope you work closely with your doctor and dietitian to find help for your ongoing IBS.

  • Rayna

    Spicy foods make my IBS flare as well as moderate to large quantities of fat and insoluble fiber, caffeine, carbonation, and acidic foods like coffee. Some people also have problems with strong peppermints. The primary differences I notice with the low-FODMAP diet are less gas and relief from nausea and bloating. Other triggers have more influence on the bathroom issues for me. I would recommend still giving the low-FODMAP diet a try for at least 3-4 weeks, and see whether specific symptoms improve. Just be aware you may have additional triggers, in which case your diet will need fine-tuning.

    Reply

    • Ellie

      Totally agree with Rayna, I have the same benefits and have really noticed the difference after my very lax week post challenging wheat and dairy, where I then ate lots because I had challenged it and just was greedy; I definitely should not have wheat.

      And in any case, only having lemon juice and maple syrup in your stomach will just make your stomach stressed in any case, ibs or not. I have also heard (and sort of found), small regular meals are beneficial for ibs. Overeating or skipping meals infuriates the stomach in any case.

      Reply

  • Paul

    Hi Kate,
    Thanks very much for your help.
    I used to have IBS-D almost exclusively for many years, including foggy brain etc. Since following Low Fodmap for the last couple of years foggy-brain, tirdness has improved alot but IBS-C has replaced it!
    My question is about fibre, is it good or bad?
    Things seemed to have gotten worse with constipation rather than better after increasing fibre intake (mainly with oats).
    Main question being: Is more soluable fibre generally a friend or enemy of IBS-C?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Paul, So glad that many of your IBS-D symptoms along with tiredness and foggy brain have gone away. It is not uncommon in my experience for constipation to occur on the low FODMAP diet if you are not careful to add in enough low FODMAP fiber sources. To me, its not so much an issue of soluble vs. insoluble fiber but trying to find low FODMAP sources to meet your needs. Oats have fructans and GOS (FODMAPs) in servings >1/2 cup cooked. So if you up the amount too much it may trigger your symptoms. Perhaps try rice bran, oat bran, chia seeds to meet your fiber goals. Chia seeds have 5 grams of fiber per tablespoon are low FODMAP AND seem to be tolerated by many if not all of my clients. I have provided a link to a fiber info on my blog to help you a bit…but as always, I recommend working with a health professional when changing your diet. http://blog.katescarlata.com/fodmaps-basics/fiber-without-fodmaps/

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      Beverley..I am not that familiar with nutlex products…the plain product seems okay just oils primarily listed in the ingredients but not sure about the pulse variety which contains soy.

      Reply

  • Linda

    hi found a bottle of onion juice and garlic juice would that be allowed on the fodmaps diet? I’m struggling at what to replace onions and garlic with.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      No onion juice or garlic juice would not be good options on the low FODMAP diet. Perhaps try chives or green part is spring onion for onion flavor and for garlic- sauté garlic in olive oil remove garlic and flavor foods with the infused garlic oil.

      Reply

  • Kim

    Hi Kate,

    What are your thoughts on different types of corn (e.g. popcorn, corn tortilla chips, polenta, corn pasta)? FODMAP friendly or no? I’m sure they probably haven’t been researched much, but I’m just curious to hear your opinion.

    Thanks!

    Kim

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Kim, different corn products yield different amount of FODMAPs. 1/2 cob of corn okay so I would assume a typical popcorn serving should be okay too. Corn tortillas have not been tested. I would imagine these might be restricted in large amounts–but more to come on that. Corn flours have been tested and are low FODMAP so I am thinking that corn pasta should be low FODMAP too.

      Reply

  • Cassidy

    Hi !
    Im a HUGE Starbucks fan and as I’m sure you know, they only offer regular cow and soy milk. I’m not willing to give up my Starbucks, but since soy and milk are both on the list of things to avoid.. which one is better and will cause less symptoms? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Oh Cassidy, I am a big Starbucks fan too! 🙂 I would say, use a splash of whole milk vs. the soy (which seems to be a bigger trigger for many of my clients)–OR better yet bring some lactose free milk in the car with you and use it instead!

      Reply

  • Rayna

    You might try a Lactaid Fast Act for the milk. It is the only lactase enzyme supplement I’ve found without added polyols.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Good point Rayna–in a pinch the lactaid fast act pills are a good low FOdMAP source of the enzyme lactase. Typically during the elimination phase I recommend avoiding high lactose containing foods as possible and then after the elimination phase perhaps try the enzyme pills–just to try to do the diet as cleanly as possible. But when you don’t have an option and milk is on the menu–it’s a great plan to try the lactaid fast act enzymes.

      Reply

  • andrea

    hi Kate I live in United Kingdom, firstly I want to tell you the fod map diet is amazing! it has saved me from major bowel surgery.Thank you so much! I’ve been so ill for the past three years. Doctors thought I had a prolapse and I was facing a permanent ileostomy and it was just wind! I have a bowel condition its called an ileo anal pouch I have no colon just small intestine,the pouch is my small intestine turned inside out I go to the toilet normally, just a lot, I just want to ask you is vsl#3 a probotic that my doctor prescribes me for pouchitus (a nasty inflamtion in the pouch that can occur from time to time)fod map friendly? also can you recommend a daily probiotic that is fod map friendly please? thankyou

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      VSL# 3 is FODMAP friendly. I am not sure a daily probiotic is necessary for everyone. But when choosing a probiotic you might want to select one without prebiotics which are FODMAPs such as inulin or FOS.

      Reply

  • Deborah Jackson

    Hi Kate,
    I have a question about wheat and gluten free. If a person is following a low fodmaps diet, and they have issues with wheat (fructans) do they necessarily need to avoid gluten in all food products. I thought gluten only needed to be avoided for people with celiac. My son has had the blood test for celiac and that came back negative, but he does have the Big D from whole wheat or whole grain breads. I even bought some gluten free wheat bread, and he still had problems with it, so I know it’s not the gluten per say, but probably the fructan (fructose). Thus, I’m just double checking because alot of the foods you list as fodmop friendly say gluten free. Can you educate me a little on this subject matter please? Thanks you, as I have 2 children with GI issues and all your information is helping more than you will ever know!!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      The low FODMAP diet is not a gluten free diet–but there is some overlap btw the diets as wheat, barley and rye are the sources of gluten in the diet and also contain FODMAPs-particularly fructans. Gluten is a protein and the low FODMAP diet focuses on carbohydrates, particularly small sugars and fibers. Small amounts of wheat can be included in the low FODMAP diet such as that found in soy sauce for instance while on a gluten free diet absolutely no wheat, barley and rye is allowed. Hope this helps.

      Reply

      • Deborah

        Thanks Kate for the reply. While I have you on the line, do you have any recommendations for a line of chewable vitamins for kids that don’t have sugar alcohols and other fodmops. Then, the ones I find that are on the healthier side, tend to be made from a variety of fruit juices. Maybe I’m going overboard, and don’t need to be too concerned with this, since they only get 2 gummies a day, but wanted to get your professional advise. Oh, and what about liquid meds like IBprofen. HFCS is the first or second ingredient listed. Pharmacists have no clue and there is only one dietician in our state who is fodmap trained and this is at an adult clinic that doesn’t see kids. Ugghghh.

      • katescarlata

        Deborah, Choose gummy multivitamins made primarily with glucose syrup. CVS and Trader Joe have varieties. The kids vitamins often do have some carrot and blueberry juice but I do allow and they seem to be tolerated. I would avoid the liquid advil/ibruprofen that have the sorbitol.

  • Cassidy

    thanks for the help on my last question! 🙂
    i have another one actually!
    IBS causes both constipation and diarrhea depending on the person, correct?
    does that mean some foods on the low fodmap diet make you go while others don’t? or do the foods affect both constipation and diarrhea depending on the patient? if that makes sense..
    thank you!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Cassidy-how foods contribute to diarrhea vs. constipation is likely multifactorial…. food that is not adequately absorbed in the small intestine travels to the large intestine and is then fermented by bacteria –different bacteria produce different types of gas when they ferment food. Methane gas is associated with slowing down the bowel and more common in IBS-C while hydrogen gas seems to speed up the gut and is linked more with IBS-D. The longer the chain of carbohydrates found in the FODMAP the more water is drawn into the bowel but this does not necessarily mean you would definitely get diarrhea from the longer chain FODMAPs–it really depends on how fast your intestine moves, the type of bacteria you have in your intestine and probably many other factors. (all FODMAPs are small chain carbohydrates but the longer ones would be fructans and GOS and the smallest is fructose, a one ‘chain’ sugar.) Sorry for the science-talk!

      Reply

  • Diane

    Hi, For people with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syn), Dr. Teitelbaum highly recommends taking D-Ribose throughout the day. I didn’t see this sugar or D-Mannose on the list. What do you think?

    Also, I love to eat raisins with nuts. Are a few allowed?

    Thanks for all of your research.

    Diane

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Diane, I don’t think these sugars would be a FODMAP issue. Honestly, I am not familiar with them as supplements. Raisins are not allowed on the elimination phase of the diet. Even though grapes are allowed on the low FODMAP diet–it seems when drying the grapes to create raisins the fructan content goes up!

      Reply

  • Gary Hillerson

    A number of gluten-free breads at a local market look good except for one ingredient that I’m not sure about: glucone delta lactone (GDL). I suspect this may not be okay on low FODMAP elimination phase.

    Do you have any info/suggestions regarding GDL?

    Thanks in advance,
    gary

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hey Gary, Funny you should bring up GDL as I was just speaking to a colleague about its presence in bread products here in the US. It drives me a bit crazy that we rely on these types of ingredients instead of simply using real food. If I had to guess, I don’t think GDL would be a FODMAP. Here is a paper by the USDA with its description. Hope that helps.
      http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5067074

      One of my biggest pet peeves about the US food supply is our commercial bread…of course, there are so many things about our food that trouble me…but that’s a story for another day! I truly get frustrated walking through the bread aisle at a conventional grocery store. I end up getting bakery made bread–sourdough varieties with recognizable ingredients- which I thankfully can tolerate. I haven’t explored making GF bread on my own, but King Arthur flour site has some GF recipes to try.

      Reply

      • Gary Hillerson

        Thanks for that, Kate. I agree with your pet peeve: out here (Santa Cruz area), we have tons of gluten-free products available, many breads and related things, but almost all of them have inulin or agave in them, and then most of the remaining few have GDL. I must say that brown rice tortillas have become my go-to store-bought “sandwich wrapper,” though i’d sure like some variety 🙂

        I’m also now seeing Teff flour, which is supposedly gluten-free, but I don’t know if it’s low fodmap.

    • katescarlata

      From the research I have read, both ripe and firm bananas should be okay…The carbohydrates do change (fructose and glucose increase with ripening) but both states of ripeness do not have EXCESS fructose which is key.

      Reply

  • Deborah

    Hi Kate,
    It is nice to hear your frustration as well with all the “extra” foreign ingredients put into bread and baked items as a whole. Even in the bakery at traditional grocery stores, a cake, muffin, ect there are like 20 ingredients added to them. What ever happened to flour, eggs, oil, table sugar, vanilla, baking soda and or baking powder and salt. That’s all that should be in the base ingredients for the majority of these items. Thus, just better off making these items at home if you want to “treat” yourself.

    Reply

  • Louis

    Thanks for this outstanding post! I’ve seen many blogs about FODMAPs. Yours stands out because of how clearly well-informed and familiar with the data you are!

    Reply
  • Pingback: The FODMAP Diet for IBS; Gluten Free, too | Gluten Free Skinny

  • Emma

    Hey Kate,
    Wow your blog is just great! Thanks so much 😀
    I have been suffering from IBS-C for 2 years following a bout of malaria. I often have bad flare-ups where I just don’t go for 3 weeks, and I am constantly bloated.. . I look 6 months pregnant! I am slim so it really stands out.
    Anyway, I think this will diet will really help and
    I started last week. Unfortunately I gave in to a choc ice and have felt terrible for days.

    I have a questions about oats (porridge). I have porridge for breakfast every morning and I thought this was fine. Not gluten free, just your plain supermarket oats. I read further up that >1/2 cup cooked oats is too much. Does this mean that my 40g serving (approx 1/4 cup dry before cooked with water) is too much?
    Also I am confused about golden syrup. I normally have 1 tea spoon on my porridge. Is this ok?
    Also looking for an alternative to milk and a little confused about almond milk. How much of a serving would be ok?
    Thanks so much
    Emma

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hey Emma–Glad you stopped by. 1/4 cup dry oats is okay but no more than that as then you venture into ‘too much FODMAP’ category. Golden syrup is okay–small amounts of course-a teaspoon or two. Almond milk is officially being tested now…so the not sure if it’s okay. More to come on that! Be sure with IBS-C that you get plenty of fiber and fluids (water primarily).

      Reply

      • Emma

        Hi Kate,
        Thanks for the immediate response! That will really help with shopping tomorrow (a now highly stressful task). I only have a bit of milk on top of porridge – could this be ok? If not then I will get another alternative.
        If it’s ok,I have a question about spelt bread. When I first found that I was so excited about baking some bread – I can get wholemeal spelt flour no problem. I am now confused whether this is ok. Would two slices of homemade spelt bread (http://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/recipes/spelt-bread/) be ok or not?
        Thanks so much. I am going it alone as it will be 2 months before I can get help from a dietitian. I know that’s not great but tired of feeling so bad 🙁 I’m 27 and should be in the prime of life but instead can’t do anything
        Emma

      • katescarlata

        Hi Emma-
        I would suggest you try coconut milk or lactose free milk for now and avoid the almond milk to be sure you are not getting FODMAPs. The spelt bread should be okay to try. Purchase 100% spelt flour. Growing conditions do impact spelt FODMAP content so the Monash team will be testing spelt breads from various countries to verify that all are low FODMAP not just the Australian spelt breads. But this project will take some time and I have had clients try US spelt bread without issue. Feel better. I hope the diet makes a difference for you!

      • Naomi Slater

        Hi Kate,

        Quick question in terms of oat quantities – how much is 1/4 cup of oats in weight? I have a full cup everyday..but I wonder if my cup is a small cup and so may be a 1/4 or a 1/2 cup to others.

        Any info on this would be great. Thank you very much

  • Emma

    Hi Kate,
    Thanks so much for the help, I will do all of that.
    I am sorry, I have thought of one more question that I think you can help with. I am not sure if my morning breakfast is causing a problem or if it is because I have bad C at the moment and so getting full is really the problem. My tummy is quite gurgly in the morning after breakfast. I am wondering if I am having a cumulative effect of FODMAPS? Perhaps you could tell me. I have:
    – 40g oats cooked in water
    – sprinkled with 1 handful cornflakes
    – sprinkled with 1 round tea spoon flax seeds
    – 1 tea spoon golden syrup
    – 1 square dark chocolate
    washed down with a glass of water and a cup of herbal tea/cocoa (just 1 tsp cocoa with hot water, nothing else). Oh I miss coffee so much and not sure about it! Maybe it would help me go?

    Sorry to ask so many questions, I just have no access to help at the mo but really want to try this.
    Thanks 🙂
    Emma

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      NO worrries Emma. I don’t think that breakfast should be too much of a problem–seems fairly low FODMAP. Sometimes a cup of coffee can get the intestine moving a bit in the morning –especially combined with light exercise.

      Reply

    • Lucy

      Emma-
      Just wanted to give my input that for whatever reason, flaxseed wreaks HAVOC on my stomach. Try the oatmeal without them and see if that helps.

      Reply

  • katherine olson

    Hi Kate,
    Thanks for all the information. The conflicting info regarding high low FODMAPs is confusing for a newbie!

    Do all fruits and veggies need to be eaten in limited amounts? Can you eat multiple servings of veggies in one sitting or is that too much FODMAP?

    Also, which yogurts are ok other than lactose free?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Portion sizes vary for fruit and veggie FODMAP cut offs. The Monash low FODMAP diet app is useful in this way–download it if you can. But if you can’t get the app, would suggest 1/2 cup fruit -low FODMAP choices or 1 medium orange, banana per meal–this if very rough estimate. Veggies are very variable–just try not to go overboard and ‘balance your plate’ with protein-lean meats, chicken, fish or tofu, healthy fats, fruits and veggies.

      Reply

  • Nicole

    Hi Kate, I wondered if you could give me any advice on soy products. I live in the UK and I saw on your site that Alpro soya milk products are suitable on the FODMAPs elimination diet – do you know if this is still the case? I also like Cheezly, which is a dairy-free cheese with the following ingredients: Water, potato starch, non-hydrogenated vegetable fats & oils, soya protein, yeast extract, thickener: carrageenan, salt, natural flavouring, calcium phosphate, acidity regulator: sodium citrate, natural colour: carotene. Do you think soy protein is suitable for re elimination diet? Many thanks for your help.

    Reply

    • Nicole

      Hi Kate, do you know if you will be able to give me any advice on my question above please? If not, don’t worry!

      Also, coconut flour: now that coconut products are allowed, is coconut flour OK? I noticed earlier you mentioned that it could be high in FODMAPs and wondered if this had changed now.

      Thanks for taking the time to look at my queries.

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      I believe that is still the case on Alpro soya milk–the key is that the ingredients read, soy protein NOT whole soy bean. The Cheezly seems that it would be lower in GOS as well as the ingredients refer to soy protein NOT the whole soy bean. As for your question below, I am not sure about coconut flour –I have not seen any data on it. It is SO high in fiber so I am concerned it might be a FODMAP issue.

      Reply

  • Ann

    Hi Kate,

    I noticed further up in the comments that the serving size of oatmeal to remain low FODMAPs is 1/4 cup (dry). I usually have 1/2 cup (dry) serving for breakfast mixed with rice milk and water, so to minimise FODMAP overload, would my breakfast still be considered low in FODMAPs if I mixed it with another grain, like 1/4 cup dry serving of buckwheat flakes, or even 1/4 cup of dry serving oat bran or rice bran? Would mixing oats with oat bran be OK?

    Many thanks for your advice!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I would try to keep the other grains very low in FODMAPs perhaps a brown rice flake and you might be okay to add a tablespoon or 2 of oat bran as well but like oats, oat bran also has fructans and GOS. Much of the data on grains remains unpublished so requires some well educated quesses. With that, I think that the cream of buckwheat might work as well.

      Reply

  • Laura S

    I have done Low FODMAP for a week now…and I am NOT using any dairy at this time. If I do..it’s lactose free only…right?
    And am the only that seems to have trouble will AL FRUIT? The belching and abdomen pain and bloating happen within 2hrs….

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Laura- have you been tested for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. I am suspicious that your symptoms reflect this may be an issue for you. Low lactose cheeses are allowed too- don’t have to be completely lactose FREE but low- 2-4 g max per serving.

      Reply

    • Leslie

      Hi Laura. You are not alone. I have yet to find a fruit that I truly tolerate, despite being low FODMAP (such as grapes and pineapple). Vegetables are not great either but seem to be a little better than fruit. I haven’t given up trying yet and I am focusing on making sure that I am not eating any other hidden FODMAPS near the time that I am eating fruit to be sure that my reaction is truly to the fruit and not to something else.

      Reply

  • dkaj

    If you are eating the fruit separately, try to eat it with something else that is not as harsh on your stomach and will lower the fructose level. Possibly some protein. I cannot do raw pineapple, I will get horrible bloating, but funny thing is, if it is cooked into something, I’m ok with it. Also, check and see if you are eating fruits out of a can, make sure they only adding water to it, and not any additional sugars or sugar alcohols, juice concentrates. Juice is a concentrated form is always going to be higher in sugar than the actual fruit itself. Thus, drain all juice off and even rinse with tap water before eating. Hope some of these tips may help

    Reply

  • Nikki

    Hi Kate,

    Thanks for the really informative website – and generously answering your readers’ questions!

    Further up the comments (January 29), you said that there are opiate like chemicals in dairy that slow the bowel down. Could you please provide the details of some references that I could read to learn more about this? (Journal articles are fine – I am able to access these.)

    Also, in the Cracking Myths article you posted in another section of this site, in Myth 6, a dietitian is quoted as saying that when you can identify the immunological triggers, restriction of FODMAPs proves unnecessary. Are you able to explain more about this?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Nikki: Glad you stopped by my blog. The opiate like chemicals are bioactive peptides derived from dairy foods. This is area of needed research (I think) and my comments in regard to this topic are more out of curiosity–could these peptides impact bowel function? Since you have access to journal articles, you may want to do further exploration. I love delving into the research and try to connect the dots for my clients. Wish I had a bit more time to do this!
      Here is one article to check out: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22139569
      The cracking myths article-was a quote by a dietitian that does LEAP testing–if I recall correctly?! Here is a website that may help you: http://www.nowleap.com/index.html This is not my area of expertise so I would encourage you to reach out the author of that quote.

      Reply

  • Stephanie

    Hi Kate, I’m actually scheduled to see an RD who does the LEAP testing. Have you heard much about it or know anyone who has had some success?
    Also, regarding the dairy comment, I can share from personal experience that any dairy puts a complete stop on my bowel movements. This seems to be the opposite for most so I always thought it was just me! Thanks for the article link.

    Reply

  • nadine

    i wanted to ask about the reintroduction phase cz i feel it’s a bit hard.. do i introduce each category weekly? do i have to take a rest between each reintroduction category? thanks a lot

    Reply

  • Annika

    Hi, and thanks for your incredibly helpful site!
    I’ve diagnosed with IBS for about ten years now, and mostly kept it in check by avoiding high fibre content and beans/cabbages/peas and the like, interspersed with medication to stop/prevent diarrhea.
    However, I’ve also been using fennel tea to avoid “cholic”, i.e. painful bloating and excess gas, with good effect. And now I see it on the high-FODMAP list… :/
    I don’t drink all that much of it, but I’ve been known to force down (I don’t LIKE it) a cup when the symptoms become painful and limiting.
    Is it a complete no-go, or just “limit yourself”?

    And COCOA POWDER! Is this just in powdered form, or does this apply to all forms of chocolate?!?
    I’m a serious chocoholic, and dark chocolates is one of my few remaining pleasures. 🙁

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Annika-Fennel tea was quite high in FODMAPs. I would suggest you avoid and perhaps try it after you re-challenge your diet with FODMAPs to see which are problematic for you. Don’t worry I haven’t let go of the dream that dark chocolate might just be okay on the low FODMAP diet. The FODMAPs in cocoa powder from what I understand are fructans and GOS –and these are fibers–so choose chocolate with lowest amount of fiber. And hopefully we’ll get the word soon from Monash about chocolate.

      Reply

  • Annika

    Thank you so much for your quick reply!
    I haven’t actually gone on the 100% full elimination diet (though we’ve tried it on Jr.), my summer is just making it impossible (going on LARPs, etc) – but I’ve been good and cut most of the FODMAPs from my diet and the effect was very noticeable – bloating and gas-problems went away nearly overnight!
    I’ve still had a few “attacks” of my “normal” diarrhea, but that may be due to occasional “risky eating” as well as the proven PMS connection.
    I don’t appear to be “hypersensitive” to anything in particular, but I do get the fat-triggered attacks and fiber is a no-go for me.
    So I think I’ll stay on my low-key low-FODMAP diet for now (as it seems to have a very benificial effect on my everyday digestion), and strike out into “bad eating”-land when I feel ok to risk it. 😉
    Saturday as chocolate day is ok, because if I have a reaction, I’m usually ok by Monday again. 😉

    Reply

  • nadine

    Hi kate..how much time should be wait to observe the symptoms caused by a high fodmap food..coz sometimes symptoms do appear the next day..is that possible?

    Reply

  • Rayna

    I’d allow up to two days to experience all symptoms, depending on how you respond to the different FODMAP groups. Thank goodness there’s a list because I don’t think I would have ever figured out those late-triggering ones on my own. Keeping a food and symptom journal is also a valuable tool.

    Reply

  • Steph

    Hi, I have been doing this diet with a dietician, and have just finished the challenge phase. I’ve ended up having problems with every group except for galactans. Has anyone else had this? Not sure what to do now as I don’t want to cut all of those foods out forever but I feel so much better since doing this diet! IS it likely that only certain foods from those groups can cause problems, or if one causes a problem will all of the others? For example I’ve tried bread on the challenge phase but no garlic. Any help would be great! Thanks!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Steph, It is possible that other food items with less of a FODMAP amount in that group may be tolerated. Did you try 1/2 a challenge amount of some foods-that is helpful too? Say, try 1/2 a clove of garlic instead of a whole clove. Or try sourdough white bread instead of multigrain or whole wheat. Tolerance to FODMAPs can change over time so re-challenge again in a month. Also, if you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) –tolerance to fructose may be an ongoing issue. Many individuals treated for SIBO often resolve their issue with fructose malabsorption–so this is a condition I like my clients to be screened for.

      Reply

      • Steph

        I didn’t try 1/2 a challenge so will definitely do that. I can live without bread/pasta etc as I’ve found that easy to cut out and feel like I have a lot more energy now. But things like onions and garlic are obviously very hard to keep out of a diet especially when eating out. Thanks for your advice. Is it easy to test for SIBO? Do I just ask my doctor to do this test or do I need to ask my dietician? Thanks so much.

      • katescarlata

        Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is typically tested with a lactulose breath test. Your primary care doctor or GI specialist can order the test. It is generally administered in a big hospital setting. Onion is a tough source of FODMAPs to get back into the diet I have found for my clients but certainly traces such as found in ketchup seems to be okay for some. Garlic seems a bit easier–so would start there!

  • kaz

    My dietician (part of Sue Shepherd’s group)suggested cooking something with chunks of onion and then pulling the onion out before eating as a way of testing onion tolerance. She also suggested starting with spring onions, then garlic and then moving onto onions themselves as any problems with spring onion and garlic will mean that onions will also be problemmatic

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Kaz…thanks for sharing these great tips!! I think challenges should be done very gently with the goal to try to incorporate as much FODMAPs back into the diet as possible…even if in trace amounts! These tips will be appreciated by many.

      Reply

    • Steph

      Thanks for the tip! Will definitely give this a go. My dietician is great but FODMAPS is new to her and I think I am her first patient who has tried the elimination/challenge phases so she doesn’t always have tips. It’s great to read blogs like this for help! 🙂

      Reply

  • Jen

    Hi Kate, really fantatsic website thank you! A couple of questions for you. I gather that usual fruit juices are out but how about green veggie juices?

    I’ve heard green juices are really good for cleansing and getting nutrients in but I wander if they would be too concentrated? Maybe too easy to get too many greens in one go? I’m thinking of juices that have say spinach, cucumber, celery, carrot, lettuce – only fodmap friendly veg.

    Also I’ve tried subscribing to your blog a few times now but i’m not getting a confirmation email through – is it working? (I have checked my junk folder & it’s not there either). Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  • Rachel

    Hi, I’m new to this. I downloaded the Monash app, but I am still confused about two things:

    1. high quality butter like Kerrygold…yes or no on the elimination diet? I don’t see it listed as a definite no or yes on any recent lists, but on older lists, it is a no.

    2. molasses…I bought Rice Chex, thinking they were okay…but then I found molasses on older lists, but it’s not on new lists as bad or good.

    THANK YOU!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Butter is low FODMAP. You can have it on the elimination phase. Fat can contribute to IBS symptoms when overdone–so don’t go overboard. Molasses…I have not seen any data on molasses from Monash. US info has molasses as having more fructose than glucose…but in 1 TB the amount of excess fructose is below the Australian cut-off for excess fructose….So I would say small amounts are probably okay–if it was used in large quantity –it might be an issue. Since molasses in the GF rice chex is the last ‘food’ ingredient in the product before all the many vitamins that are added….I think it would be okay.

      Reply

      • Rachel

        Thank you so much! Your answer is a huge help to me. I can now go forward into the elimination phase with comfort.

        Really appreciate it!

  • Mary Ann

    Thank you, Kate. I purchased your eBook and really appreciate your blog. So much good info. I have also tried some of your recipes and am enjoying your granola. Over the past 2 weeks I completed the lactose and fructans challenge. Had some problems with lactose especially and just found out that the hydrogen breath test was positive for lactose intolerance, so will be researching more in this area. I am also suspecting fructose may be a problem and that will be my next challenge. Very appreciative of your’s and Patsy Catsos’ sites!

    Reply

  • Joanna

    Kate, do you know of any comparison charts showing the similarities and differences of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and the low-FODMAP diet? I love your checklist but may need to exclude more foods to overcome and prevent SIBO. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I don’t Joanna, but one of my blog followers may chime in. There is no evidenced research based diet for SIBO. I am not sure that SCD is necessary…I think it may be overly restrictive for some. (Just my opinion) I like the book, The New IBS Solution by Mark Pimentel as a resource to understand SIBO better, the book is a bit outdated but I think it provides some valuable info. I have had many clients successfully use the low FODMAP diet post antibiotics….for SIBO treatment, but like SCD there is no research using it for SIBO.

      Reply

      • TJ

        Kate, which diet do people follow while taking antibiotics? I will take the breath test in a week, and I’ve been following a combo of the FODMAP/SCD for about 3 weeks. I wonder how I should eat while taking antibiotics. Some people advice expanding the diet to make the “bacteria come out of hiding”…although nothing feels like it’s been hiding so far (symptom wise).

      • katescarlata

        TJ, I encourage my patients to liberalize their diet just a little to help get the bacteria up and running–maybe 1/2 an apple and some garlic at dinner–not over the top FODMAPs to make them feel miserable. We don’t have good research to adequately support diet intervention for SIBO–so much is based on clinical observation from those that work w/ patients. I hope that we have a more detailed and research based approach to offer patients being treated for SIBO in the near future–but the science isn’t there quite yet!

  • Joanna

    Thanks, Kate! Your blog, your knowledge, and your willingness to respond to questions are invaluable resources and I do appreciate all you do!

    Reply

  • Ellie

    Dear Kate,
    I have tested positive (not strongly, but strong enough) on the Hydrogen Breath test for Lactose. I am also able to nominate to get the Fructose one, but it being at my own cost and having to miss 1.5 hours work at its expense, I am not sure if it is worth it? I definitely feel too much fruit, and sugars and fructan (esp Wheat) types do trigger symptoms. But is it very likely for me to be positive? Is it right that people anyway do not have the biggest tolerance of fructose? So I am wondering is there much the test can achieve, as I sort of feel although a reasonable price, that it may just be me being over zealous and a waste of money. Is it very rare to test positive?

    I have felt ridiculously sick this weekend post-test, as I decided to have a lactose blow out before cutting just lactose out for 4 weeks, it was very silly, especially as against my own better judgement I have been eating wheat. I find it so hard to remember to keep motivated!!

    Reply

    • Ellie

      *only 35 euros, definitely can afford it, and work would let me make the hours up, it is just the bother of it if it is likely to be in vain, and wanting to know from a trusted yet knowledgeable source, as the Doctors obvs have a motive for the test!

      Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Ellie, Certainly deciding to do the test or not is a good question to ask yourself and your doctor–BUT for many of my clients we test their tolerance to fructose with the challenge phase of the diet. In some clients that are so sensitive to FODMAPs-I don’t want to send them for testing which involves a huge fructose load and set them up for a miserable few days post the test. (just my humble opinion). …especially when we are highly suspicious that they have fructose malabsorption.

      Reply

      • Ellie

        I will try lactose elimination, then when that doesn’t solely work again, I will add elimination of fructose, and if I see a big difference, test it I think. Can wheat and fructans be included as a reaction to fructose?

        Which of my symptoms can be put down to Fructose? I know I definitely reacted badly to asparagus and I react to wheat and sugary things and I don’t know, lots, but then I get confused! As FODMAPs anyway include Fructose in that list, I am confused how to differentiate symptoms. Gas, pain and D, could all just anyway be IBS type things. That is where I am confused as to knowing if someone is definitely reacting to fructose?

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  • katescarlata

    Ellie, you remove all FODMAPs on the FODMAP elimination diet for 2-4 weeks or so as instructed by your dietitian.. then add back each FODMAP group individually (1 FODMAP group per week) with certain test foods that only have that FODMAP. Remain on the low FODMAP and only add back the test food. If testing for fructose, you would add about 2 tsp. honey to your low FODMAP diet for 3 days. If you symptoms remain calm, then you can try adding another excess fructose item such as 1/2 a mango. Although fructose is the most rapidly fermentable of all FODMAPs-all FODMAPs contribute to similar symptoms so you can not differentiate which FODMAPs will or will not trouble you based on symptoms. They all have cumulative impact on symptoms.

    Reply

  • Barbara

    Hi Kate,

    Thank you for providing so much helpful info. Your site is GREAT! I have spent a very productive day reading through your posts here.

    I do have a few questions:

    1. Are any of the following ingredients in Vita Fusion Multi Vites Gummy Vitamins high in fodmaps:

    gelatin, citric acid, lactic acid, annatto extract, tumeric

    2. Is cellulose ok?

    3. Why are peas okay while pea protein isn’t?

    4. Is almond milk a fodmap? It seems from an
    earlier comment here that you recommend rice
    milk rather than almond milk. Yet, almonds
    are okay on the low fodmap chart. Can you
    please clarify?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Vita fusion multi-vitamin gummies should be okay. Many of my clients tolerate them. Cellulose is not a FODMAP. Peas are okay in small limit. I have no data on pea protein…may be okay, might not be…hard to say. Almonds are okay in a 10 almond limit. Its the water-soluble fibers GOS and fructans that are problematic in almonds but if you keep to the limit –they should be in a tolerable amount. When you make almond milk typically you start with a large quantity of almonds–certainly more than 10–and the water-soluble fibers can leach into the milk making it a potential high FODMAP source. Hope that helps. Lots of little nuances with this diet, right? Glad you stopped by my blog.

      Reply

  • Cody

    Hello,

    I am looking for an easily digestible complete calcuim supplement chewable or liquid with low fodmap ingredients. Do you have any particular recommendations? Thank you in advance.

    Reply

  • Jen

    Hi Kate,

    great site, such a great place to get information on such a complex diet. I have a question about a supplement that ive recently come across and would like to take it as a natural way to help my hormonal acne and iregular menstruation. Its called DIM, there are several brands but im not sure that its suitable for a fodmap dieter as the main ingredient is based on deiindolymethane, a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables.

    What is it about cruciferous veg that makes them fructans, would the dim be ok as it just has that one nutrient in it or is it that that one nutrient is what we find hard to digest? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      I think the DIM would be okay. Not all cruciferous veggies have fructans and GOS–common cabbage for instance is low FODMAP. Fructans and GOS are fibers that are not digested in the human body. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Nestor Portocarrero

    Is the Whey used by athletes as a protein source FODMAPS friendly?
    The one I use contains crystalline fructose, whey protein isolates and whey peptides.
    Also, if soft cheeses are bad, why are camembert and brie acceptable? They are very soft.
    Is feta cheese alright, and is it just hardened whey?

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Not all whey products will be FODMAP friendly. Certainly any product with crystalline fructose would be out (not low FODMAP) as it is a source of excess fructose. Whey protein isolates are low FODMAP while whey protein concentrate MAY contain lactose. Overall most cheese is low FODMAP (low lactose) unless it is super wet…(cottage, ricotta cheese would not be okay). When cheese is made the protein curdles and the whey is drained off along with the majority of lactose. Many individuals even with lactose intolerance can tolerate a few grams of lactose per sitting…feta has about 1 gram….so it is allowed.

      Reply

  • Cody

    Is the amount of sorbitol, mannitol, lactose etc significantly less in medications taken daily that come in pill or tablet form compared to the amount in liquid form? Thank you again in advance.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Cody, If I had to guess (and it would be a total guess) I would imagine the liquid supplements would have more sugar alcohols than tablet. But, I wonder if you could contact the pharmacy or manufacturer for exact info?

      Reply

  • Barbara

    DO you have any idea when the Monash app will be available for Ipads? I tried to download the app but it’s for Iphones only. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Brigitte

    Hello, just starting to do my shopping to start fodmap diet on Monday and got a bit confused about the lactose free milk. Is Almond milk ok ?Someone told that it is not ok and better use rice milk? What is your opinion? Thanks Brigitte

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Hi Brigitte, When doing the elimination phase (as you are doing), I recommend avoiding almond milk and using coconut milk, lactose free cow’s milk or rice milk. Testing your tolerance to almond milk when you undergoing your FODMAP challenges can be done after you have completed the low FODMAP elimination phase. Almond milk has NOT been completely analyzed for FODMAPs but preliminary results show that it has GOS FODMAPs. Some brands may has less GOS (FODMAPs) but we just don’t know that yet.

      Reply

  • jen

    It does say it’s just for iPhones on the website but if you download the app onto your iPad it works fine on your iPad as well. It just comes out a little blurry as it’s been stretched onto a bigger screen, but works great & really useful you should get it.

    Reply
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  • Cory

    Kate, what are your thoughts about aloe vera, mangosteen, and noni juices in a liquid vitamin like Country Life Multi? Are any of these Fodmap triggers? Thank you again in advance!

    Reply

  • Craig

    I discovered your blog recently and have found it extremely supportive and helpful. It is a wonderful help to those of us with IBS or related problems. I had a lactulase breath test done at Genova Diagnostics. They said the results were negative since the hydrogen and methane increased by 11 ppm in the first 60 minutes. However, by 90 minutes the increase was 24 ppm and by 120 minutes it was 53 ppm. The report says that was due to fermentation in the colon. How would you interpret those results? I suffer almost constantly from gas and bloating.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Would really need to see the results–but it sounds to me that you could be positive. Can you have it read by another GI –bring the results so they can see hydrogen and methane numbers at each measurement.

      Reply

    • Kahli

      Hi Craig ! Everyone malabsorbs lactulose in the colon so the test only looks for significant malabsorption in the small intestine (the sugar will usually reach and exit the small intestine in the first 60 mins after consumption). If your hydrogen/methane was to increase significantly during the first 60 mins, it would suggest that bacteria is not where it’s meant to be – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). But your increased results after the 90 minute mark suggest normal malabsorption is occurring in the colon (there is meant to be bacteria in the colon. These bacteria ferment the lactulose as humans are no designed to absorb it). Hope this helps !

      Kate’s response to Kahil and Craig: Bear in mind, in slow transit (ie constipation) the time it takes lactulose to travel to the colon may be longer==so it is difficult to interpret increase results definitely at the 90 minute or later timeline in this population.

      Reply

  • Cory

    HI Kate,

    Do you know if there’s any data aligning particular FODMAPs with constipation as opposed to diarrhea? For those of us with IBS-C, it’s an added challenge to try to link particular foods to particular symptoms – i.e., I never know if it was something I at last night, yesterday, or a week ago that is bothering me!

    Reply

      • katescarlata

        It’s hard to tell how long it takes for the FODMAP to initiate symptoms in a constipation predominant patient. I am not sure if certain foods contribute more to constipation–I think it’s all about the type of bacteria in your gut and which gas they are more likely to produce and how generous you are feeding them with poorly absorbed foods–methane producing microbes are linked with constipation and weight gain. My goal with constipation predominant patients is to titrate their fiber and fluid to their individual tolerance and help keep them regular and lower FODMAPs in an effort to maybe starve those pesky methane producing microbes to at least get them in a better balance.

  • Ellie

    Dear Kate,

    I am very confused. I now have a gastroentoligist, and they are testing me, as it was a doc in another country who said IBS with only a blood test and my own reports. New doctor: I have had a negative stool test, and a ultrasound checking my innards and also all good there, lactose test I was told I am a bit lactose intolerant, and so I have put alllll my hopes into this fructose test today. After testing just cutting out lactose and including fructose in diet, I found once I cut it out for a couple weeks now, stuff was better, even more better if also cutting out wheat etc, and fructan things. I was so sure I was going to be intolerant, but I am not. Apparently totally normal. My stomach didn’t feel good, and there was gas and belching, though I guess that is having loads of sugar after fasting?

    Anyway, I am very confused. Does this mean, as I am still IBS, I can do fodmaps but I can eat fructose? Is the key perhaps, I am likely to overindulge in Fructose and Wheat when I *do* eat them, and that is the problem? They also talked of another breath test, sweeteners or sugars or something? I am so confused and I hope you know of other people who test negative for Fructose but are IBS and sensitive! Wit’s end.

    Reply

    • katescarlata

      Ellie,
      The breath tests are not always accurate so perhaps it was a false negative OR…interestingly, research has shown that even with adequate absorption of some FODMAPs they still elicit symptoms –so even if you digest it, the presence of the some FODMAPs in your intestine still draw water into your bowel and cause distress. I would do a 2 week FODMAP elimination diet and then go through the re-challenge phase and assess your symptoms as you re-introduce various FODMAPs in your diet rather than relying on the breath tests.