Anyone here tried FODMAP?

[GoldenKiwi]

My GP has recommended I try the FODMAP diet for IBS and I am trying to get my head around it, how it will fit into family life.

Did you manage to make reasonable adjustments while still cooking for the family? Or did you have to make yourself separate meals more often than not?

Any recipe or cookbook suggestions gratefully received! I think I will take the plunge next week when I do the next food shop.

@GoldenKiwi here is my low FODMAP bolognese, my dc like it

500g mince
600g passata - rinse jar with...
200ml water
1.5 sticks celery finely chopped
Garlic oil
1/2 tsp Chives dried
1 tbsp tom puree
2 stock cubes veg (low FODMAP ones)
2 tsp dried oregano
2 bay leaves
Seasoning

Cook on hob for 1 hr or in slow cooker. Serve with gf pasta.

Now I’m no longer in the elimination phase I add mushrooms and courgette.

Thank you @UniversalTruth I'm sure my DC would like that too!

Tbh (and I’m embarrassed to say) it is very restricted.

I have cut out way too many foods but I do have ARFID which doesn’t help the issue.

My day to day diet consists of potatoes, rice and rice cakes, occasional oatcakes, occasional sourdough bread, plain crisps, turkey, ham, fish, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, radishes, vegan mayo, tomato ketchup and water or peppermint tea!

Pretty miserable and I’m certain this has contributed to my Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and I probably have nutritional deficiencies too. This is why I would personally only recommend the fodmap diet under a dietician’s advice.

@MyheartgoingBoomBoomBoom don't be embarrassed. If you've had the discomfort of IBS for as long as most people before they try low Fodmap then you can understand why this can happen.

I hope you can find a dietitian to help you reintroduce a wider range of foods, if only so you can eat out as it must be impossible for you at the minute.

I was put on it a few years ago it's very hard! I lost a lot of weight on it as I didn't eat meat the dietician took me off it as I was nearly 2 stone down in 6 weeks.
It's very hard and very gruelling and some of it is weird like the greens of spring onions being OK but no onions otherwise etc.

I'm a vegetarian and it was a complete nightmare at first, but as I started to realise what foods I could tolerate, and in what amounts, it got a lot easier.

It is a much easier diet to follow if you eat meat.

It has really helped with my symptoms and I do recommend it.

There's also a book called something like the low fodmap diet which is by the a actual researchers and contains recipes too.

Posting here in case anyone is new to low FODMAP and looking for a dietitian approved meal plan that is actually really tasty and makes the elimination phase easier! This was my source of excellent low FODMAP recipes. I'm keen to find more recipes!! what did you use when just starting out? https://www.tinybudgetcooking.com/fodmap/7-day-low-fodmap-meal-plan

Some of the recipes (from a FODMAP trained dietitian) posted by @OnePeppyOtter look wonderful!

Posted prematurely. A good friend is trying this diet and we will be cooking for her this weekend, so we will use one of these recipes.

A question for those who are in the midst of this: is it all or nothing? Is it important not to deviate in the least from the diet whilst following it?

I will do that for our friend if necessary but it’s awfully restrictive. TIA

@poetryandwine You're right it can feel restrictive, but I think the thing to remember is that it's not a forever diet. The elimination phase (first 2-6 weeks) is where your friend should start to feel better and have calmer digestion. This is because they aren't eating high fodmap foods and so there are fewer triggers. Hopefully those recipes will make it easier and enjoyable too! I think they're from a dietitian approved app IBS Coach or something. So if your friend needs more support and recipes etc might be worth a try ‎IBS Coach: FODMAP Diet Planner App

I tried it but it didn’t really work for me. It might be fine if you live on your own and cooking for one.

@cinquanta i agree, following the fodmap diet and cooking for a family or others is half the struggle isn't it. It can be really difficult to find good low fodmap recipes that taste and appear like 'normal' meals. The meal plan above is good. But I know what mean!