5 Reasons Why The Low FODMAP Diet Isn’t Working
If you’re new around here (firstly, hello! But secondly…), you might not know just how pivotal the low FODMAP diet is to people experiencing IBS. It's an elimination diet used to help people figure out what foods are causing their gut symptoms, so they can manage their symptoms long term.
But here’s one little tidbit not many dietitians in the industry are talking about: it doesn’t work for everyone.
It should. We know it should work, because in theory it eliminates many food groups that make the gut crankier than me without a coffee first thing in the morning (which is to say, very cranky!). But it doesn't work for everyone, and there are five key reasons why this might be the case.
If the low FODMAP diet isn’t working for you, read on to discover the five questions you need to ask to investigate the issue.
#1 How closely are you sticking to the low FODMAP diet?
I want to make this clear from the get-go: I’m not about to (nor will I ever) say you’re not doing a good enough job sticking to your low FODMAP diet. I’m not going to dis you, or shame you, or make you feel like your efforts aren’t enough.
This is so often simply a case of misunderstanding the requirements of a low FODMAP diet.
The reality is that the low FODMAP diet can be tricky to wrap your head around. There are so many FODMAP groups we’re eliminating all at once, so it’s no surprise that many people struggle with what they can and can’t eat.
So, if you’re still experiencing symptoms after giving the low FODMAP diet a red hot crack, it’s worthwhile talking to a qualified dietitian about your food intake, your current restriction and what you might be missing in your approach to the low FODMAP diet.
#2 How were your symptoms first investigated and diagnosed?
When you first experience any sort of gastrointestinal symptoms, I can’t express enough just how important it is to get them investigated properly.
While I always discuss this with clients before going on the low FODMAP diet (so this technically shouldn’t happen), it so often happens when you try to go it alone so it’s worth covering here.
The tricky thing about IBS and food intolerances is that they’re not very cut and dry. There’s often no clear, definitive answer about what, exactly, is going on in your gut. Yes, it might be IBS or a specific food intolerance, but there are so many other factors that can impact your gut, too!
That’s why it’s important to consider (or ask your health professional to consider):
Are other investigations needed? This can include blood tests, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, CT scans, X-Rays – anything to rule out other potential health issues
Do you have any of the following? Family history of coeliac disease, IBS or bowel cancer; unexplained weight loss; blood in the stool; or abnormal blood test results? If so, you should head straight back to your Doctor or Gastroenterologist for further medical advice before starting the low FODMAP diet.
#3 What medications are you taking?
Some medications are likely to aggravate IBS symptoms, making it more difficult to ease symptoms through the low FODMAP diet. Medications with gastrointestinal side effects are the most common culprits, so it’s worthwhile looking at any medications you’re taking to see how they might be impacting your low FODMAP diet.
Please note: I do not recommend going off your medication just to try and get the low FODMAP diet working in your favour. You should always follow the advice of your doctor or specialist, so if you think this may be a reason the low FODMAP diet isn’t working, please consult them before making changes.
#4 What else is going on in your body?
Stressed? Anxious? This may be triggering your symptoms due to enhanced communication between your brain and your gut. Practice mindfulness and meditation. You may also need more targeted therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy or gut-directed hypnotherapy to help ease your symptoms.In this case, more targeted therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy may be more effective.
#5 Could other triggers be at play?
While FODMAPs are most commonly identified as the trigger for IBS symptoms, there is some evidence to suggest that other foods may also play a role.
So, if the low FODMAP diet has done bugger all for your symptoms, it’s worth looking into other potential dietary triggers like:
Fibre and fluid intake
Fatty foods
Spicy foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
The low FODMAP diet is usually the ticket to an (almost) symptom-free life for people with IBS and food intolerances, but it’s not foolproof.
There are so many other factors that might be contributing toward your symptoms (or preventing the low FODMAP diet from working its magic), so it’s worthwhile looking elsewhere if the low FODMAP diet isn’t working for you.
Just remember, you never have to do it alone.
The low FODMAP diet is a hard one to conquer, let alone when the diet isn’t working and you have to investigate further. That’s why I always recommend working with a qualified dietitian before you even start down the low FODMAP path, helping ensure you do it safely, correctly and get the best results possible.
If you want to be guided through your IBS and come out the other side with a sustainable, long-term approach to managing your symptoms, find out more about my new course, Conquer Your Cranky Gut. Conquer Your Cranky Gut helps women say buh-bye to bloating, gut pain and unpredictable poops without FODMAP food frustration, expensive supermarket trips, or quitting eating out, so they can rock a flat tummy, confidently order off the menu and socialise without worrying where the nearest toilet is (and who will be around when they need to use it!).
Find out more about Conquer Your Cranky Gut and register your interest here!
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