What the heck are FODMAPS? FODMAPS is a decidedly un-catchy acronym referring to a group of dietary carbohydrates that can cause IBS symptoms in sensitive individuals. The important thing to know about FODMAPS is that they have several things in common:
- They can be poorly absorbed by some or all people
- They are fermentable (by colonic bacteria)
- They are osmotically active (can attract water into the gut)
- Examples of FODMAPS include lactose, fructose, fructans, sugar alcohols and galactans
Most of the carbohydrates in the human diet should be digested and absorbed in the small intestine. If malabsorption occurs, these carbohydrates are carried into the large intestine. There, they can cause gas, bloating, and other IBS symptoms because of their fermentability and osmotic activity.
By the way, FODMAPS stands for Fermentable Oligo- Di- and Mono-saccharides And Polyols.
I just had this conversation at my first trip to a dietitian. We didn't get into great detail, but onions, garlic, ice cream, gluten free oats, beans ended up on my list of foods to eliminate from my diet individually. This after eating a soup that contained 4 types of onions among other potential trigger foods.
Posted by: Sarah | January 28, 2010 at 02:02 PM