Should you be on the Low FODMAP Diet for your IBD?

What is the Low FODMAP Diet?

The low FODMAP diet is designed to help people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It is a short term elimination and reintroduction diet that reduces certain types of carbohydrates that are highly fermented by our gut microbes which can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas and pain in people with IBS.

It has 3 stages:

  • Elimination – Avoid high-FODMAP foods (usually only for 4-6 weeks).

  • Reintroduction – Slowly test high FODMAP foods to see which ones trigger symptoms.

  • Maintenance – a much less restricted personalised diet based on your individual FODMAP tolerances.

It is very restrictive and should only be done for a short time under the guidance of a dietitian or nutritionist. If the elimination phase is followed for too long evidence suggests it may have a negative impact on gut health.

What is the evidence in IBD?

For IBD in remission:

If someone with IBD is in remission but still experiencing bowel symptoms like pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea research suggests the low FODMAP diet may be useful if other basic dietary strategies have not worked to improve symptoms.

For IBD flares:

Not recommended for managing flares. Research shows it does not reduce inflammation or induce remission.

Take Away Messages - Low FODMAP Diet for IBD

Not for use for reducing inflammation or inducing remission in flares.

  • May be useful in remission if still experiencing GI symptoms.

  • But other dietary strategies and foundations should be explored first - e.g. adequate hydration & fibre, other food intolerances (e.g. lactose intolerance), and ensuring a healthy balanced diet, to see if these reduce symptoms before considering the low FODMAP diet.

  • Must only be done under the guidance of a trained dietitian or nutritionist as it is very restrictive and needs to be done properly to reduce the risk of adverse effects like malnutrition and reduced gut health.

If you would like support with your IBD, we can help you.

We are a nutrition and dietetics clinic specialising providing exceptional care to improve the quality of life of people living with IBD. We bring clarity around food and IBD and remove uncertainty and fear around food.

Our IBD specialist Nutritionist (Clemmie) and specialist gastroenterology and IBD Dietician (Jess) both have IBD too so ‘get it’ and are so passionate about helping others with IBD.

If you would like support with your IBD please book a free initial call via the button below so we can find out more about you, discuss how we can help and take you through our appointment options.

Reference

Lomer MCE, Wilson B, Wall CL. British Dietetic Association consensus guidelines on the nutritional assessment and dietary management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023 Feb;36(1):336-377. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13054. Epub 2022 Jul 21. PMID: 35735908; PMCID: PMC10084145.

Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.

Clemmie Macpherson