Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does FODMAP Mean?What FODMAPs DoTypes of FODMAP SugarsFODMAPs and StressTaking Control of Your Diet

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Does FODMAP Mean?

What FODMAPs Do

Types of FODMAP Sugars

FODMAPs and Stress

Taking Control of Your Diet

Perhaps it was a dinner with asparagus and apple pie that left you feeling bloated and miserable. Or maybe it was that pasta salad at lunch, the one that made you wonder if it was something you ate. It likely is.Foods that cause gastrointestinal (GI) distress often have one thing in common: they’re FODMAPs. These are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) found in foods known to cause symptoms in people withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and other GI disorders.This article explains what FODMAPs are and why they can cause such distress. It also lists some of the foods you may want to avoid.chokja / iStockphotoWhat Does FODMAP Mean?FODMAPis an acronym that stands for fermentableoligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, andpolyols. Some of these can’t be broken down before they make it to the gut because they are fibers (i.e. we don’t produce the enzyme that breaks down galacto-oligosaccharides until it enters the large intestines/gut).Then nutrients are not absorbed well, and the sugars stay in the gut. They quickly ferment and pull water into the digestive tract.What FODMAPs DoWhen the sugars from FODMAP foods ferment in the digestive tract, they cause discomfort. These symptoms may include:BloatingGasAbdominal painConstipationWatery diarrheaYou may feel these symptoms in as little as 30 minutes because gas and extra water cause the abdomen to swell. In some cases, you may feel an urgent need to move your bowels.Types of FODMAP SugarsFODMAP foods cause GI symptoms because of the sugars they contain, but there is more than one kind of sugar at work. What happens chemically in the GI tract depends on the type of FODMAP. Here are two examples.FructoseFructose is found in fruits, vegetables, and many packaged foods. It also is a chemical component of table sugar, known as sucrose. Two proteins in the small intestine are responsible for helping the body to absorb fructose.One is limited in its capacity to do so, and that’s on the basis of its normal function. The other one is more efficient in helping the body to absorb nutrients, but not in the absence of sugar in its glucose form. Fructose is absorbed pretty well when there is more glucose in the mix with it.But when there is more fructose than glucose, neither of these proteins are fully at work. That means the fructose doesn’t get absorbed well and GI symptoms may start to appear.PolyolsLike fructose, polyols are found in fruits and other natural foods, including mushrooms—a top FODMAP problem. They may be added to processed foods during manufacturing. They’re also common in sweeteners and sugar substitutes that people with diabetes, or those seeking to lose weight, turn to instead of table sugar. However, polyols are not well absorbed in the small intestine.When they reach the large intestine, they may cross the internal lining tissue through pores. Depending on the size of the pores, which may be changed in the presence of some diseases, it can be more difficult to absorb polyols. They begin to ferment and are also osmotic - meaning they bring water with them. This may lead to watery diarrhea.FODMAPs and StressThere are other reasons for why people develop IBS, but stress may play an important role. There also are differences in how FODMAP foods affect people who have IBS.Taking Control of Your DietOne frustrating thing about FODMAPs is that it’s not always clear which foods cause your symptoms. TheFODMAP challenge dietis one way to find out which foods to eliminate.First, you need to eliminate all FODMAPS entirely for at least two weeks, though three is preferred. After two weeks, you may begin to reintroduce one FODMAP food at a time. If the food is going to cause symptoms, it will happen fairly quickly. Within a few weeks, you should know which FODMAPs, and in what amount, trigger your symptoms. These are foods you should avoid.Any FODMAP foods that don’t cause symptoms remain a part of a nutritious, balanced diet. There is a caution about fruit, though. Some fruits may contribute to GI distress because of their mixed fructose-glucose content. People with IBS may need to eat them carefully in smaller amounts. It’s also a good idea to avoid processed foods because of FODMAPs added into the ingredients.FODMAP FoodsAvoid TheseApplesPeachesWheatIce creamMilkKidney beansHoneyChoose TheseBlueberriesCarrotsBrown riceOatsChickenEggsMozzarellaKeep in mind that people may tolerate one FODMAP group and not the other ,so it’s very individualized. Also, it’s cumulative, so no one has to avoid any food in its entirety unless there is an allergy. A registered dietician (RD) who specializes in gastrointestinal nutrition can help identify triggers for a short term elimination diet.Low and High FODMAP FoodsSummaryFODMAP foods contain sugars and polyols known to cause GI symptoms, like gas and diarrhea. They may be poorly absorbed in the GI tract and begin to ferment in the intestines. This is especially true for people with IBS and other GI disorders. One way to limit these problems is to identify specific foods that cause symptoms.Knowing which foods are FODMAPs is one place to begin. Once you’ve adjusted your diet, you can continue to eat the other healthy FODMAP foods you enjoy. Eating a wide variety of these foods also helps to build up intestinalbacteria that keep your gut healthy.A Word From VerywellIf you want to start changing your diet to reduce the impact of FODMAP foods, consider speaking with your healthcare provider or a dietitian. They can guide you in the process to ensure the best results.

Perhaps it was a dinner with asparagus and apple pie that left you feeling bloated and miserable. Or maybe it was that pasta salad at lunch, the one that made you wonder if it was something you ate. It likely is.

Foods that cause gastrointestinal (GI) distress often have one thing in common: they’re FODMAPs. These are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) found in foods known to cause symptoms in people withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and other GI disorders.

This article explains what FODMAPs are and why they can cause such distress. It also lists some of the foods you may want to avoid.

chokja / iStockphoto

Sugar in a teaspoon and pored on a table

FODMAPis an acronym that stands for fermentableoligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, andpolyols. Some of these can’t be broken down before they make it to the gut because they are fibers (i.e. we don’t produce the enzyme that breaks down galacto-oligosaccharides until it enters the large intestines/gut).

Then nutrients are not absorbed well, and the sugars stay in the gut. They quickly ferment and pull water into the digestive tract.

When the sugars from FODMAP foods ferment in the digestive tract, they cause discomfort. These symptoms may include:

You may feel these symptoms in as little as 30 minutes because gas and extra water cause the abdomen to swell. In some cases, you may feel an urgent need to move your bowels.

FODMAP foods cause GI symptoms because of the sugars they contain, but there is more than one kind of sugar at work. What happens chemically in the GI tract depends on the type of FODMAP. Here are two examples.

Fructose

Fructose is found in fruits, vegetables, and many packaged foods. It also is a chemical component of table sugar, known as sucrose. Two proteins in the small intestine are responsible for helping the body to absorb fructose.

One is limited in its capacity to do so, and that’s on the basis of its normal function. The other one is more efficient in helping the body to absorb nutrients, but not in the absence of sugar in its glucose form. Fructose is absorbed pretty well when there is more glucose in the mix with it.

But when there is more fructose than glucose, neither of these proteins are fully at work. That means the fructose doesn’t get absorbed well and GI symptoms may start to appear.

Polyols

Like fructose, polyols are found in fruits and other natural foods, including mushrooms—a top FODMAP problem. They may be added to processed foods during manufacturing. They’re also common in sweeteners and sugar substitutes that people with diabetes, or those seeking to lose weight, turn to instead of table sugar. However, polyols are not well absorbed in the small intestine.

When they reach the large intestine, they may cross the internal lining tissue through pores. Depending on the size of the pores, which may be changed in the presence of some diseases, it can be more difficult to absorb polyols. They begin to ferment and are also osmotic - meaning they bring water with them. This may lead to watery diarrhea.

There are other reasons for why people develop IBS, but stress may play an important role. There also are differences in how FODMAP foods affect people who have IBS.

One frustrating thing about FODMAPs is that it’s not always clear which foods cause your symptoms. TheFODMAP challenge dietis one way to find out which foods to eliminate.

First, you need to eliminate all FODMAPS entirely for at least two weeks, though three is preferred. After two weeks, you may begin to reintroduce one FODMAP food at a time. If the food is going to cause symptoms, it will happen fairly quickly. Within a few weeks, you should know which FODMAPs, and in what amount, trigger your symptoms. These are foods you should avoid.

Any FODMAP foods that don’t cause symptoms remain a part of a nutritious, balanced diet. There is a caution about fruit, though. Some fruits may contribute to GI distress because of their mixed fructose-glucose content. People with IBS may need to eat them carefully in smaller amounts. It’s also a good idea to avoid processed foods because of FODMAPs added into the ingredients.

FODMAP FoodsAvoid TheseApplesPeachesWheatIce creamMilkKidney beansHoneyChoose TheseBlueberriesCarrotsBrown riceOatsChickenEggsMozzarella

FODMAP Foods

Avoid TheseApplesPeachesWheatIce creamMilkKidney beansHoney

Apples

Peaches

Wheat

Ice cream

Milk

Kidney beans

Honey

Choose TheseBlueberriesCarrotsBrown riceOatsChickenEggsMozzarella

Blueberries

Carrots

Brown rice

Oats

Chicken

Eggs

Mozzarella

Keep in mind that people may tolerate one FODMAP group and not the other ,so it’s very individualized. Also, it’s cumulative, so no one has to avoid any food in its entirety unless there is an allergy. A registered dietician (RD) who specializes in gastrointestinal nutrition can help identify triggers for a short term elimination diet.

Low and High FODMAP Foods

Summary

FODMAP foods contain sugars and polyols known to cause GI symptoms, like gas and diarrhea. They may be poorly absorbed in the GI tract and begin to ferment in the intestines. This is especially true for people with IBS and other GI disorders. One way to limit these problems is to identify specific foods that cause symptoms.

Knowing which foods are FODMAPs is one place to begin. Once you’ve adjusted your diet, you can continue to eat the other healthy FODMAP foods you enjoy. Eating a wide variety of these foods also helps to build up intestinalbacteria that keep your gut healthy.

A Word From Verywell

If you want to start changing your diet to reduce the impact of FODMAP foods, consider speaking with your healthcare provider or a dietitian. They can guide you in the process to ensure the best results.

SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barrett JS. Extending our knowledge of fermentable, short-chain carbohydrates for managing gastrointestinal symptoms. Nutr Clin Pract 2013;28:300-306Catsos, P.IBS Free at Last. 2nd Ed. Portland, ME, Pond Cove Press, 2012.Scarlata, K. Successful Low FODMAP living. Today’s Dietitian, March 2012.Scarlata, K. The FODMAPs Approach—minimize consumption of fermentable carbs to manage functional gut disorder symptoms. Today’s Dietitian 12:8,30.

Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barrett JS. Extending our knowledge of fermentable, short-chain carbohydrates for managing gastrointestinal symptoms. Nutr Clin Pract 2013;28:300-306Catsos, P.IBS Free at Last. 2nd Ed. Portland, ME, Pond Cove Press, 2012.Scarlata, K. Successful Low FODMAP living. Today’s Dietitian, March 2012.Scarlata, K. The FODMAPs Approach—minimize consumption of fermentable carbs to manage functional gut disorder symptoms. Today’s Dietitian 12:8,30.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Barrett JS. Extending our knowledge of fermentable, short-chain carbohydrates for managing gastrointestinal symptoms. Nutr Clin Pract 2013;28:300-306Catsos, P.IBS Free at Last. 2nd Ed. Portland, ME, Pond Cove Press, 2012.Scarlata, K. Successful Low FODMAP living. Today’s Dietitian, March 2012.Scarlata, K. The FODMAPs Approach—minimize consumption of fermentable carbs to manage functional gut disorder symptoms. Today’s Dietitian 12:8,30.

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