The FODMAP diet is not about losing weight, but about a healthy relief of irritable bowel problems. Do you suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation? This is how the FODMAP diet works.
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Around 12 million people in this country suffer from irritable bowel syndrome : they respond to even minor occasions, such as mild stress or unusual eating, with abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. The causes of the complaints are not yet clear.
The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is difficult, the individual symptoms can be treated with drugs, some people also help relaxation exercises. A whole new approach is a special diet that was developed in Australia. It waives the so-called FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols), which are carbohydrate compounds such as fructose, lactose or sugar substitutes that can ferment in the intestine.
bella spoke to Prof. Andreas de Weerth, gastroenterologist at Agaplesion Diakonieklinikum Hamburg, about the FODMAP diet.
bella: What does a FODMAP diet look like?
Prof. Andreas de Weerth: First of all , we reduce all FODMAP-rich food for four to eight weeks. The intestine needs time to change. For example, we dispense with fruits with high fructose content, such as apples and pears, as well as lactose-containing finished products. In more than 80 percent of cases, a FODMAP-reduced diet improves the symptoms. After four to six weeks typical symptoms such as stinging abdominal pain or cramps should be greatly reduced or even completely disappear.
Is this diet suitable for all irritable bowel patients?
It definitely pays off to try the FODMAP diet. There are now several studies that certify the diet good results in irritable bowel syndrome . In general, if no improvement is achieved after eight weeks, it must be assumed that the FODMAP-rich foods have no influence on the symptoms. If the symptoms persist despite FODMAP-poor diet, further triggers must be examined - such as portion sizes, stress etc.
FODMAP are contained in many foods. Is it possible to do without it in everyday life?
Yes. However, important is a nutritional advice. There, the patient gets to know FODMAP-poor alternatives and also gets specific tips for the modification of recipes and menu suggestions. Fructose, for example, is present in large quantities in apples and pears, but only in small quantities in apricots, bananas or kiwis; Fructans are found in large quantities in cereals such as wheat and rye, but only in small quantities in oats or spelled. Our experience shows that implementation is not difficult for people who mainly eat at home. Patients who often eat out or use finished products initially have more problems.
Is this nutrition also suitable for people who have no irritable bowel syndrome and still have to struggle with stomach ache after eating?
In any case. Through a consistent diet, sufferers with food intolerance can get rid of almost all complaints. However, it is not advisable to make a diagnosis yourself and to impose a strict diet without consulting a doctor. A meal-complaint diary helps the doctor to identify possible triggers. The protocol should record what you eat when and when which symptoms occur.
FODMAP: Beware of these foods
Fruit apples, pears, cherries, grapes, mangoes, papayas, melons, quinces, oranges, pineapples, dates, figs, raisins, blueberries, raspberries
Vegetables (in larger quantities) Artichokes, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cabbage, chicory, leeks, onions, peanuts, tomatoes, zucchini
Wheat products Flour, pasta, bread, wholegrain flakes and whole grains in large quantities
Also sugar, sweeteners, honey, maple syrup
Extra tip If the change in diet is not sufficient or just not feasible (for example, during a restaurant visit), scientists recommend irritable bowel women to take Butylscopolamine to relieve their spasmodic abdominal discomfort.
