FODMAPs are poorly absorbed, highly fermentable sugars that don’t completely digest in the small intestine, leading to abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. These digestive symptoms are typically referred to as irritable bowel syndrome.
A low-FODMAP meal plan from ModifyHealth makes identifying these uncomfortable digestive triggers simple.
Unlike the rest of the acronym, the F does not represent a type of sugar. Instead, it serves as a descriptor of the letters that follow—O, D, M and P. This category encompasses the rapidly fermentable foods that quickly break down when they come into contact with the bacteria and enzymes within the gut. This is a recipe for gassiness!
O - OLIGOSACCHARIDES (Fructans and Galactans)
Now for the first carb in the lineup: Oligosaccharides. These are compounds that contain between two and 10 different forms of sugars, with two of the most problematic being short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (fructans) and galacto-oligosaccharides (galactans or GOS), which are poorly absorbed in the human digestive tract.
D - DISACCHARIDES (Lactose)
Disaccharides are among the most triggering kinds of carbohydrates for many people with digestive issues. They are a class of sugars containing two monosaccharide residues, and include the highly fermentable sugars found in milk and dairy, called lactose. This category comprises mostly dairy products, such as milk-based foods and soft cheeses.
M - MONOSACCHARIDES (Fructose)
Monosaccharides are the FODMAP carbohydrate most responsible for causing digestive duress after consuming fruits. Otherwise known as simple sugars, monosaccharides are a class of sugars that can’t be hydrolyzed to create a simpler sugar. The monosaccharides that ferment quickly can be problematic for those of us with gut sensitivities. Fructose is one of the most common triggers of severe IBS symptoms, and research shows that fructose intolerance is majorly on the rise, affecting as many as one in 20,000 people worldwide.
A - AND
P - POLYOLS (Sorbitol and Mannitol)
The final category in the FODMAP diet is polyols, otherwise known as sugar alcohols. Similar to monosaccharides, polyols are found in a wide variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, and avocados. They are also added to certain foods as sweeteners, like sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and maltitol. This may explain why you experience diarrhea or excessive gas after eating sugar-free candies (such as sugar-free gummy bears), which tend to be packed with these alternative sweeteners.
What is a Low FODMAP diet?
Because FODMAPs are so prevalent, total elimination of them from your diet is extremely challenging. A low FODMAP diet is meant to be temporary and allows you to isolate the individual ingredients that trigger your personal symptoms.
ModifyHealth makes it easy with fully prepared, Low FODMAP meals and optional Dietitian support. If you have irritable bowel syndrome or a different gastrointestinal disorder then the Low FODMAP diet is something that can bring relief and help you feel your best.
ModifyHealth changes lives by making food as medicine simple and sustainable. Our turnkey programs improve outcomes and cost for chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and related GI issues where dietary management is a recommended treatment.
Along with home-delivered meals, ModifyHealth provides dietitian coaching & support and remote patient monitoring to ensure sustained benefits. We partner with providers, payors, employers, and patients to make adopting healthier diets and lifestyles a reality.
Monash University certified trademarks used under license in the United States by ModifyHealth. One serving of a meal made in accordance with a Monash University approved recipe is low in FODMAPs and can assist with following the Monash University Low FODMAP diet™.