Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Fodmap Diet

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive system disorder among gastrointestinal diseases. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea / constipation, without the exact cause being known.

It is a chronic disorder and its prevalence in society is high. Many patients do not apply to the hospital because they have mild symptoms.

However, in some patients, this condition is moderate or high. At this point, individuals’ quality of life decreases and their social lives are affected. Although there is no definitive treatment for IBS, the most important treatment is diet and lifestyle change.

Nutrition and Fodmap Diet

Nutritional treatment in IBS should be directed to the patient’s symptoms. In this regard, food restrictions should be made according to the patient’s complaints and the patient should be regularly monitored by a dietitian. The most important goal in medical nutrition therapy is to be sustainable. The most effective method in the treatment of IBS is the Low FODMAP Diet.

The Low FODMAP Diet is a type of nutrition that is low in fermentable carbohydrates (oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols). Foods with high FODMAP content draw water into the intestine and may cause problems such as malabsorption and digestion when consumed frequently.

Thus, they are fermented by bacteria in the intestines. As a result of fermentation, symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, cramps, constipation/diarrhea may occur. Studies have shown that the low FODMAP diet has positive effects on IBS.

Foods with high FODMAP content

• Fruits; watermelon, plum, date, pear, peach, nectarine, mango, blackberry, cherry, apricot, apple.
• Vegetables; spring onion, peas, mushrooms, garlic, asparagus, cauliflower, artichoke
• Bread and cereals; wheat, rye, barley
• Milk and dairy products; yoghurt, ice cream, milk, cream, soft cheeses, cottage cheese.
• Foods containing fructose; honey, high fructose corn syrup
• Protein sources; Legumes, cashew

Foods containing low FODMAP

• Fruits; strawberry, raspberry, orange, tangerine, lime, lemon, grape, grapefruit, melon, blueberry, banana.
• Vegetables; zucchini, tomato, spinach, olives, lettuce, green beans, eggplant, cucumber, chives, pepper, eggplant, potatoes, carrots
• Bread and cereals; rice, quinoa, oats, corn, brown bread
• Milk and milk products; rice milk, lactose-free milk, butter, other cheeses
• Protein sources; beef, lamb, chicken meat, egg, tempeh, tofu, peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts