So did I. For years, the pain, bloating, gas, and other issues that come with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) kept me from living a full life. It took me a very long time to pin-point some of my issues with food and other items with the low FODMAP diet, but once I did, I found I was able to live that life that I wanted. I’ve been there and I want this blog to be a resource to others who are suffering with all the discomforts that comes with IBS, as well as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Know that you’re not alone.
Living Happy with IBS 
Was really great reading your blog. Is sometimes hard to write uplifting blogs about IBS, but you have succeeded and will no doubt give a lot of people hope.
Thank you for the positive feedback! Looking forward to helping others deal with the same things I have to deal with!
It is hard to find information on IBS. I have fructose malabsorbtion and am having a hard time to find anyone who can relate. I love your blog
Thanks for reading and for your positive feedback! We’re in this together and together we’ll work to live a full and happy life!
I found you on Pinterest. I love your blog…informative, engaging, and well-written. You have an engaging voice, and a great writing style. I feel like my story is so much like yours…from feeling better gluten free for a period of time…and then WHAM. I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to share actual products and real food ideas for foods we can make. Your blog is going to be a tremendous resource for me as I start my elimination diet. Thank you SO much for writing it!
Thank you for reading! It’s good to know that you’re not alone in your struggles, and I tend to bring humor to everything to make it through the tough times. Let me know if you have any questions and good luck with the diet!
Hi Heather,
Just wondering if you experience any symptoms whilst on low FODMAP diet? I have been following the diet (alright, sometimes cheat, and fall into temptations hence I know why I was in pain that day) but sometimes even on a strict day where I only eat low FODMAP, I still experience bloating. Is that common from your experience?
Thank you so much for your blog, and humour is the only way I can deal with my day sometimes. It can be so frustrating 😦
Hi Monique, thanks for reading! I do have days where it seems I do everything right and I still have symptoms. Usually it stems from eating too much or eating too much in one sitting. Or because I indulged in a little too much alcohol the day before (my biggest vice). And then there are days when I am at a complete loss. Luckily it doesn’t last too long and this only happens about once a month.
When I first started the diet, this happened more frequently until I realized that my body does not like citrus fruits of any kind. So I eliminated oranges and pineapple (even though they are low FODMAP) as snacks and it eliminated the bloating and gas. The same goes for nuts with me, I can’t seem to handle any quantity, any kind.
Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you can pinpoint it to one of these issues and if not, we’ll try to work it out. Good Luck and thanks again for reading!
I would like to share 2 items that my doctor suggested I use in conjunction with the low-FODMAP diet. One is made by Source Naturals -Daily Essential Enzymes – You take one or two capsules at the beginning of your meals. The other is L-Glutamine. I get this in the Source Naturals brand but it is available by other manufacturers. These can help minimize those bad days. I find if I forget the enzymes I am a lot more likely to have bad days. The L- Glutamine I mostly use when I am having a bad day and it help calm things down 🙂
Hi Heather! Sooo happy to have found you! Just diagnosed after dealing with issues for last 6 yrs. and starting FODMAP with NO explanation about it from gastro MD. You are a godsend! I look forword to trying your recipes and shopping for safe foods! How long before results can be felt following FODMAP diet? I already knew some foods effected me badly so it shouldn’t be too hard to follow. Thank you and I look forward to more info from your postings!!!
Hi Lorrie, thanks for reading! It took me about 2 weeks to fully commit to the diet, but after I was all-in, I started to feel better about a week later. Once you get used to it, its not that hard. And once you pinpoint your issues with your triggers, it’s so much easier! Good luck and feel free to reach out with any questions along the way!
Hi Heather,
Found your blog when looking for some recipes. Turns out we started this FODMAP journey about the same time. The difference is I have had to avoid onions and garlic for several years and am now adding all the other pieces. Look forward to following along and wonder if you would be ok if I share some recipes that I find along the way? The hardest part is eating out and finding something to eat when I haven’t planned ahead or am just plain too tired at the end of the day! Just happy that I enjoy cooking! I THANK YOU for sharing that I can use garlic infused oil and chives as I have been avoiding those.
Im not sure when I developed IBS as most of the time it gradually happens. I guess I can remember in college having to run back to my dorm room bathroom filled with sickening stomach pain and noises no human being should ever hear. After college going on dinner dates and having to make up reasons why I need to run to the bathroom or stop home before going out because I “didnt feel good” but really just needed to let go of my BM before it messed in my own pants like I was a child. After years of this I was tired and learned that it was IBS, then came to find out many others had this same issue. Throughout my extensive research I came to learn that many of these symptoms are caused by bad bacteria and parasites in your gut. People recommended trying a detox cleanse product as it could bring relief to my symptoms. I decided to try a product called RIDSET which is a safe herbal all natural 30 day detox cleanse, without changing my diet and doing this cleanse all my symptoms were gone. I could not believe it, No more embarrassing bathroom breaks after a nice dinner, No more feeling sick after paying for dinner or eating out. I now eat whatever I want as I did in highschool, Nothing sticks and nothing effects my stomach. Its absolutely amazing. I am not taking this product 3-4 times a year to stay clean and at my most healthy state.
I am a vegan and worry about getting enough protein in my diet without using legumes. Nuts maybe, tofu some say is ok, some say is not. Re spices ok? have read so many sites regarding this diet that I get confused and cannot remember what is ok or not. People seem to have different ways of interpreting the Fod. I hope to get the book “Food Intolerance Management Plan” from the Shepherdworks site. Have you read it? Thanks so much for your site which has come out as my TOP ADVICE one I have read. Forgive a 72 year old lady, who gets mixed up at the best of times, but who is, none the less, determined to stay ahead of this game. All the best to everyone Jo
Quinoa and safe green veggies are a great way to get your protein. Tofu is a tricky one since it’s said to be low FODMAP, however, soy beans are said to be avoided. I would try it in small quantities. The majority of spices are safe to flavor your food, just avoid anything that contains onion or garlic. I agree its tough to understand the differences in what’s OK and what’s not, but it gets much easier! Good luck!
Thank you Heather. I am learning fast now, both regarding the diet and how to work this little gem of a machine. Having searched the internet for sites etc re FODMAP diets I have come to the decision that yours is by far the best. I bought Sue shepherds book “The complete Low FODMAP Diet” and checked her comments against your easier to follow lists and information. You passed with full colours. Whilst her book goes into great detail, you seem to have waded through all this and come up with an easy to follow, correct interpretion of the Diet. Your brilliant!
Jo Kelly From England
Thanks for the great feedback! It’s much appreciated!
I am wondering about corn syrup and high fructose syrup ..
I tried Breyers lactose free vanilla ice cream and had some minor trouble with it .. I read Lactaid vanilla is great for the low FODmaps diet but noticed it has corn syrup .. Can you help me to understand the difference between them .. Is corn syrup okay while on the elination diet .. ?
Thank you so much for this site ..
It’s a wonderful resource …
Esther
High fructose corn syrup should definitely be avoided. While regular corn syrup is on the high list, I have never had any issues. Proceed with caution and see how it impacts you.
Hi Heather i have read an article that vitgin ine nut oil will help with IBS have any of you tried it before.
I have not tried this before.
Thank you so much for such a useful blog, it’s so good to find lots of information – I find my IBS doesn’t get taken seriously a lot of the time! I’ve just started blogging about my IBS too – and I’m finding it really helpful just to get it all down on paper, even if it is just me reading it! I haven’t tried a low FODMAP specifically yet, but will give it a go! 🙂
Thanks so much for all of this info, I look forward to keeping reading it!
Louisa
http://ibsconstipationhowitis.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks for your story! It’s nice to see that you can enjoy life again despite IBS! I’ve lost 2 years of my life to the struggle and after GAPS, low FODMAP and a fecal transplant I am slowly regaining my love of life… Other success stories like yours are definitely what kept my going all this time!
Thanks so much for this great resource and sharing your explorations.
I saw that in some of your recipes you mention using rice milk. This may not be low FODMAP. See this: http://blog.katescarlata.com/2016/02/02/rice-and-the-low-fodmap-diet/
Just thought this might be worth considering.
Thanks!
Hi! In the past 6 months I’ve had many extensive allergy tests done because of my bloating, gas, and constant discomfort. The results were allergies to Wheat, Cows Milk, Eggs, and Peanuts. Eliminating those foods were extremely difficult but once I did I felt great! Recently in the past month I’ve had all my symptoms creep up again and after some web research I am wondering if I am having issues to FODMAP’s. Are you still gluten and lactose free? Would love some feedback!
Hi! I am from Myanmar. I am also suffering IBS too.
Living with IBS in Myanmar is really difficult because I can’t find the doctor who can handle the IBS case in Myanmar.
It is also difficult to find lactose free, gluten free and Low FODMAP labeling food in Myanmar.
All most all people except my girlfriend don’t know what is IBS and IBS symptoms. So, I feel so lonely and difficult to struggle at work when I feel severe pain.
I want to be friend with you.
BR,
Zwe Pyae
It’s so refreshing to find posts like yours. For folks who are struggling in silence with IBS, posts like this help us feel normal again. I think that the more people are able to read about how natural remedies – along with healthier choices – the more they will realize exactly how much control they DO have over something that can (to most) seem uncontrollable. Great job, and thank you!
I don’t see any recent comments here. Are you still blogging because I really appreciate your inspiring words.
Kathy
Hey, i heard its better eat bread with no gluten but honestly i don’t notice any difference .. The bread i eat have no gluten and no lactose
Do you think its better eat bread with gluten or no gluten ??
Thank you ..your website is amazing
xxxxx
I’m having such a time. I’m on the FodMap diet. I have food intolerance and Allergies. I can’t have eggs, is 1. That has been for a long time. I’m used to it. I’m not used to not being able to eat wheat. So looking at Gluten-free breads, they all have eggs in them; except, I found 1 company: Rudi’s.. but it uses Organic wheat…and I have an issue with it, on my 1st try. Sometimes, I just want a crunchy Cracker. Maybe if I eat a whole box of em at once, I can finally be done with this. but it doesn’t work that way, I’d just be in the bathroom for 3-days. and suicide isn’t what God wants of us; He wants us to get thru this so we can help another who’s just started going thru this. That’s why ‘me’. Sorry, I got a little depressed again. I just developed this IBS in April. All at once, getting very sick. I thought I had the flu…but I only got sick after I ate. like within 4-hours of it. Every time I got sick, that length of time got shorter. Now, if I need to know if I can eat something, I eat and wait 5-mins. If my intestine doesn’t hurt, then I can eat a little. If I go 4-hours without pain (cramping), then I can put it into my diet. So far, I can’t add anything. My “fodmap diet” is Pork chops or Ham, Potatoes, and carrots. No butter (not anymore), no margarine (turns out I can’t have any Soy), only can have Olive oil. Can’t use a spray like Pam, cause that has Soy. I’m screwed. No garlic, no onions.
Hi, Pam for grilling is green and approved.
Great. Thank your post
Hi Heather, I just loved your blog…your posts are really engaging and well-written. I feel like my story is so much like yours…from being on a Low FODMAP diet…and all. I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to share actual products and real food ideas for foods we can make. I’d also like to recommend you to check out our website for great Low FODMAP recipes – casadesante.com
Thanks!