What Is FODMAP and Is It Right For You?

Lately, the internet has brought out topics that have rarely been heard of before, spreading awareness of new forms of lifestyle and activities. Among those topics is introducing a low FODMAP diet that helps people with a weak digestive tract.

The diet is a leap from the average lifestyle, which allows it to suit your body and help with issues related to mobility and performing daily activities. FODMAP is present in all types of food in different quantities that help shape the dietary lifestyle of individuals. 

Some people are less likely to find comfort in every type of food. That is why changing your diet is a meaningful way to find the right food for you.

In this article, we'll look at what FODMAP is, how it works, and the health benefits that are proven to be helpful.

What is FODMAP

It stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are known as sugars that the small intestine cannot absorb fully/correctly, thus causing pain and symptoms that can damage or weaken any stomach that doesn't suit a FODMAP dietary lifestyle.

Foods with a sugar structure can cause distress in the digestive systems of individuals with sensitive stomachs. It can cause pain like:

  • Cramping

  • Constipation

  • Bloating

  • Diarrhea

  • Gas and Flatulence

How It Works

A low FODMAP diet works in a three-step process. The first step in shifting to a low FODMAP lifestyle is reducing food intake with high amounts of FODMAP. Secondly, include specific food in your diet and judge the changes in body symptoms to see which FODMAP food is causing discomfort.

Then, finally, implement a diet that contains minimal amounts of food. Practicing a diet that eliminates FODMAPs from your body can help improve your quality of life. You'll feel more comfortable doing everyday activities and don't have to worry about experiencing stress symptoms. 

Health Benefits

These symptoms of discomfort have been studied in patients with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) who have shown improvement by cutting out food that is high in FODMAP. The benefits are as shown here:

  • Less Gas

  • Less Stomach Pain

  • Less Diarrhea

  • Less Bloating

  • Less Constipation

These health benefits allow individuals to live without minor symptoms building up and causing discomfort in their activities.


Check out Sugar Me Not for professional nutritional advice and Sheehan Personal Training for personal training services!

healthy, NutritionThomas SheehanFODMAP, NutritionComment