Debunking Low FODMAP Diet Myths (Kate Scarlata)

[Jeffrey Roberts]

This post is by Mel Spinella with support from Kate Scarlata MPH, RDN.

Mel has a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and is working towards becoming a registered dietitian.

Kate Scarlata MPH, RDN is a Boston-based registered Dietitian and New York Times best selling author with 30+ years of digestive health experience. She is a world-renowned Low Fodmap Diet expert.

The Low FODMAP diet (LFD) has been shown to improve gastrointestinal symptoms in about 50-70% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Given the fair amount of misinformation online regarding the low FODMAP diet, attempting to do the diet on your own can be a challenge. In this post, I will be debunking some myths about  the LFD to better set you up for success. Of course, as a reminder, do not self diagnose yourself with IBS, always consult your healthcare provider before changing your diet. It’s important to note that science has shown that a low FODMAP diet has better compliance and appropriate application when guided by a dietitian.(1)

Myth 1: The Low FODMAP Elimination Diet is a Long-Term Diet

Myth 2: Food Sensitivity Tests are the best way to test for FODMAP sensitivities

Myth 3: The Low FODMAP Diet is low in fiber

Myth 4: You can’t apply intuitive eating strategies on the Low FODMAP diet

>> Read the complete blog post on Kate Scarlata's website

© 2014-2021 KATESCARLATA.COM | FOR A DIGESTIVE PEACE OF MIND LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

[Esjie]

This is a good blog by Kate Scarlata. Thanks Jeffrey.

To be honest, I have only found the low Fodmap diet to be partially helpful. Some of my 'safe foods' are on it. But then so are some of my safe foods on the HIGH Fodmap list! And some of the fibrous veggies like beets, carrots, potatoes with skins, turnips etc, which are LOW Fodmap definitely don't suit me, sadly..because I like them all. I struggle with zucchini and peppers (low Fodmaps), yet can happily eat sugar snap or mange-tout peas (I think in the US those are called 'snow peas'? (High Fodmap)

I also found that I didn't need to give up gluten, after testing gluten free for a good 6 weeks, finding it made no difference, and being able to introduce it  again to my diet with no obvious ill effects. So yes, there are variations in how the strict low Fodmap food list affects everyone.

So there we go with the Intuitive Eating Strategies. I think we have to evolve a way of eating that suits us personally.

[Renee kerckhove]

On 4/22/2022 at 8:04 PM, Esjie said:

This is a good blog by Kate Scarlata. Thanks Jeffrey.

To be honest, I have only found the low Fodmap diet to be partially helpful. Some of my 'safe foods' are on it. But then so are some of my safe foods on the HIGH Fodmap list! And some of the fibrous veggies like beets, carrots, potatoes with skins, turnips etc, which are LOW Fodmap definitely don't suit me, sadly..because I like them all. I struggle with zucchini and peppers (low Fodmaps), yet can happily eat sugar snap or mange-tout peas (I think in the US those are called 'snow peas'? (High Fodmap)

I also found that I didn't need to give up gluten, after testing gluten free for a good 6 weeks, finding it made no difference, and being able to introduce it  again to my diet with no obvious ill effects. So yes, there are variations in how the strict low Fodmap food list affects everyone.

So there we go with the Intuitive Eating Strategies. I think we have to evolve a way of eating that suits us personally.

I went to my allergist and found out what foods I’m allergic to. Simple. I’m allergic to wheat so I can’t eat red meat because cows eat wheat and because they eat wheat their milk they produce is from the cow that eats wheat. Once I knew that I could either start low FODMAP or high fodmap I had the allergies ruled out. I would try one small piece of food and if I had gas and bloated I knew it was a food that wouldn’t be kind to my body. FODMAP is a diet about short chained carbohydrates and long chained carbs. I am gluten free but when I ate some gluten free bread I bloated right up. I looked at ingredients and soy was right at the top of list.  Soy is high FODMAP and used a lot in gluten free products. I try to eat natural foods most of the time. Learning to not eat foods they aren’t good for me took me back and forth eating right not eating right to finally doing the right thing. Oh it me about two years to get this diet squared away. I don’t find it a cure all but it makes my life a little more comfortable. And I’ve lowered the amount of calories so my digestive tract doesn’t have to work so hard

so yes it’s different for everyone. Just wanted to tell my story using the FODMAP.