The Low FODMAP diet is a therapeutic solution that can help reduce gut symptoms in about 75% of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) sufferers. That is great news for the 75% of sufferers who report improvement in symptoms on the diet— however, the diet can be difficult to follow and requires eliminating huge groups of food, such as wheat, garlic, onions, avocados and asparagus. Thus, it isn’t designed to be a long-term solution. 

That being said, many people who suffer from IBS find themselves anchored to this diet, restricting large amounts of food in an effort to manage their gut symptoms. This often leads to a loss of satisfaction with food and fear of food in general, making some people feel like they’re unable to trust how food will make them feel.

The good news is that there are a number of different things you can do to manage your gut symptoms outside of the low FODMAP diet. But before I touch on that, here are the three reasons why I believe low FODMAP isn’t designed to be a long-term solution:

1. The low FODMAP diet is meant to be a short-term therapeutic diet to help identify food triggers for individuals with IBS. It is a 3-phased approach with the end goal being the ability to eat as many foods as possible and only restrict or reduce your intake of a the specific foods which trigger symptoms. You are not meant to eliminate all high FODMAP foods forever. After the elimination phase, the goal is to start challenging higher FODMAP foods back into your diet. 
2. FODMAPs tend to be high in prebiotics, which are compounds that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Restricting these high prebiotic foods over a long period of time can have a negative impact on your gut microbiome. 
3. Lastly, following this diet isn’t actually fixing the problem. A low-FODMAP diet helps to identify food triggers but it doesn’t explain why you are reacting to these foods in the first place. The best way to find long-term relief of your gut symptoms is by first identifying your root issues and then creating an individualized plan to treat your underlying issues while supporting the health and function of your gut as a whole. 

Luckily, you don’t need to be tied to the low FODMAP diet (or any overly restrictive diet) long term in order to manage your gut symptoms. There are a variety of things that can be done to treat underlying issues and improve overall gut function. So, if you are currently restricting foods in order to manage symptoms, I encourage you to reach out so we can talk about your options!