Low Fodmap Diet

[violet]

It's an odd name, but this book, subtitled "Fructose Malabsorption Food Shopping Guide" by Dr. Sue Shepherd, is going to be my reading of choice for the next few days.

I've included this in the library section because I consider it a reference book. It's a fantastic resource, with details of what products are suitable for those with this condition. I assume there are similar guides for most illnesses/syndromes/conditions, such as allergies or diabetes.

This is one little book that will be coming with me to the supermarket, too.

[linda]

That sounds like an interesting book, Elisa. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on it after you've read it.

Linda

(Just as an aside....I found the author's name interesting as my family Dr. who delivered our first two dc was also named Dr. Sue Shepherd. She left to work in the big city and we were disappointed as we really liked her. Years later in another town where we lived a new Dr. was coming. Her name was also Dr. Sue Shepherd. We were really hopeful it was the same one, because really, what are the chances of two young Drs. having the same name. We were disappointed to find out though it wasn't 'our' Dr. Sue Shepherd, but in fact another one. Now I see there is this book written by a Dr. Sue Shepherd.)

[braided-rug]

That is amazing Linda.

[violet]

What a strange coincidence, Linda!

The book is basically a shopping guide. It shows, with pictures, what products available in Australia are ok for those with various problems. It would not be suitable for other countries. However, I shall give you the general background info:

"The Low FODMAP (tm) Shopping Guide has been written for people diagnosed with Fructose Malabsorption, and for people experiencing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms can include bloating, gas/wind, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits (diarrhoea and/or constipation).

FODMAPs are molecules found in foods, which, in some people are poorly absorbed, or not absorbed at all. Examples of FODMAPs are fructose, fructans, lactose, sorbitol and raffinose. In people who do not properly absorb one, all, or a combination of FODMAPs, these molecules will the continue the journey through the digestive system and arrive in the large bowel. The bacteria that live in the large bowl (this is normal in everyone), can then use FODMAPs as a food source. When this occurs, they produce gas which can cause wind, bloating, abdominal pain, etc. - the symptoms experienced by many with irritable bowel syndrome and fructose malabsorption.

So the FODMAP dietary approach identifies which potential FODMAPs could be poorly absorbed and then reduces these in the diet. Fructose malabsorption is a condition which results from an impaired ability to absorb dietary fructose. People who have fructose malabsorption need to avoid excess fructose and fructan-containing foods. People with lactose intolerance benefit from avoiding high lactose foods and consuming small amounts of lactose containing foods only. Both fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance can be diagnosed with hydrogen breath tests. For people with sorbitol and raffinose intolerances, there is no useful breath test to diagnose these. A trial of reducing their intake in the diet may help identify if these are a problem."

She goes on to explain how the guide works, and gives examples of foods that can be problematic. Oh, and the gastroenterologist felt that testing by elimination was fine; he didn't order the breath test. He also said that tummy pain is more often associated with lactose intolerance.

Excess fructose food sources:
apples/pears/quince/guava/nashi/fruit juice concentrate/mangoes/lychee/honey/watermelon/honeydew melon/canteloupe/fructose/persimmon/corn syrup solids.

Fructan food sources:
onion/spring onion/wheat in large amounts/artichokes/onion powder/brussel sprouts/leeks/fructo-oligosaccharides/shallots/inulin ( type of dietary fibre)/chicory root/dandelion tea/garlic and rye - although the latter 2 contain fructans, most people tolerate these in small amounts.

Sorbitol food sources:
apples/pears/peaches/plums/prunes/nectarines/cherries/apricots/gums, mints, confectionary containing - sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol and isomalt. (all food additives)

Raffinose food sources:
green and yellow beans/lentils/onion/chickpeas/brussel sprouts/cabbage/legumes including kidney beans, soy beans.

Lactose food sources:

High in lactose:
mill/milk powder/evaporated milk/custard/ice cream

Moderate in lactose:
yoghurt/ricotta cheese/cream cheese/cottage cheese/sour cream.

Cheeses such as tasty, parmesan, gouda, edam fetta, mozarella, blue, brie, camembert, jarlsberg, swiss etc., are lactose free.

Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate lactose in small amounts."

She also discusses coeliac disease, which is more serious and is diagnosed by a blood test.

You will note that all of the above foods, which should not be eaten, have comprised the basis of our diet for years, so if dd does get a positive diagnosis, life will be tricky!

Hope this helps, Linda.

Elisa

[linda]

Thanks, Elisa.

That is all very interesting.

When will your dd find out if this is in fact what she has? I hope it won't be too long of a wait for her.

You're right though, many of these items are in our foods and it will be tricky to avoid them. It's amazing too, how a certain additive can have two or three different names....one has to be a specialist on all of the terms out there, just to understand labels.

Linda

[braided-rug]

Lactose free, that is amazing!

[braided-rug]

my husband found this and found it all very interesting.

www.answers.com/topic/lactose-intolerance-1

[violet]

Food allergy/intolerance appears to be a vast area. Dd will see the gastroenterologist at the end of this month.