Friday, April 19, 2024

The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners


The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners by Nathan Terrell provides delicious recipes for managing IBS and other digestive disorders. There is also a 30-day meal plan included to help you achieve a healthier gut.

In the introduction, readers will learn about:

  1. The Impact of the FODMAP Diet on Digestive Health

  2. The Low FODMAP Diet in Stages

  3. The Low FODMAP Diet's Benefits

  4. The Low FODMAP Diet: The Diseases They Treat

  5. The Best Ways to Start and Follow the Low FODMAP Diet

  6. The Low FODMAP Foods List

  7. The High FODMAP Foods to Avoid

What does FODMAP stand for? It is an acronym for "Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols."

Fermentable - foods our guts do not fully digest that ferment in our colon.

Oligosaccharides - fructans and galacto-oligasaccharides

Disaccharides - sucrose, lactose, maltose

Monosaccharides - simple sugars such as fructose and glucose

And Polyols - found in stone fruits, sugar-free sweeteners, and some vegetables.

Our digestive system cannot digest these four short-chain carbohydrates. Consequently, they can cause digestive problems.

"FODMAP encompasses a group of small carbohydrates, including sugars and fibers, that tend to be poorly immersed in the gastrointestinal tract. These inadequately digested sugars can draw water into the small intestine and present as a source of nourishment for the gut microbes residing in our colon, leading to the production of gas. This gas and additional water can become trapped in the intestines or stretch the intestines, contributing to troublesome digestive symptoms."

Low FODMAP foods:

  • Carrots

  • Cucumbers

  • Lettuce

  • Oranges

  • Strawberries

  • Hard cheeses

  • Eggs

  • Oats

  • Peanuts

  • Blueberries

  • Grapes

  • Oranges

  • Pineapple

  • Amaranth

  • Corn

  • Gluten free bread

  • Popcorn

  • Rice

  • Butter

  • Coconut milk

  • Almond milk

  • Potato

  • Squash

  • Sweet potato

High FODMAP foods (AVOID):

  • Apple

  • Dried fruit

  • Asparagus

  • Mushrooms

  • Cow's milk

  • Ice cream

  • Legumes

  • Wheat

  • Honey

  • Pistachios

  • Soft cheese

  • Goat's milk

  • Sheep's milk

  • Yogurt

  • Barley

  • Rye

  • Apricots

  • Avocado

  • Cherries

  • Mango

  • Peaches

  • Pear

  • Watermelon

  • Raisins

FODMAPs trigger fermentation when they enter the colon. Our intestinal tract is home to both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Good bacteria produce methane from digestible fiber in our diet. Undigestible fiber releases hydrogen gas. There are a number of unwanted symptoms associated with this gas, including bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and constipation.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor if you are experiencing GI symptoms to rule out any underlying causes. In the Low FODMAP diet, the diet is divided into three stages. The best way to do this is under the supervision of a doctor or dietician.

First Stage: Elimination

This is the most challenging stage. You must eliminate ALL high FODMAP foods. A strict compliance with your modified diet is essential. Having a good dietician on hand can help you find replacements for foods you eat regularly that you need to give up. Discovering new foods that you haven't tried before could lead to new favorites. In general, it takes about a month for your body to notice the benefits of a diet change, for inflammation to subside, and for good bacteria to replace bad bacteria. This process may take even longer if you have a severe GI condition. A decision like this will have to be made between you and your doctor. Keep a daily log of your progress if you are doing this on your own.

Second Stage: Reintroduction

Whether you are working with your doctor or dietician or doing it yourself, you will introduce one food at a time. Foods should normally be trialed for several days before moving on to the next. You can determine your tolerance for any food by starting with a small amount and increasing it over time. If a food triggers GI issues, stop eating it and allow your body to get back to baseline before adding another. In order to prevent your body from becoming intolerant to foods, it's also helpful to rotate your foods. Due to the extensive list of High FODMAP foods, this stage lasts approximately 8-12 weeks.

Third Stage: Personalization

You will combine Low FODMAP foods with SAFE High FODMAP foods at this stage. This is going to be a journey. You should keep in mind that your gut is always changing. What your gut likes today may not be what it likes two months from now. People with GI issues have to be on alert at all times. Foods that are considered Low FODMAP may not always be suitable for your body just because they are considered so.

So, what are the benefits of a Low FODMAP diet?

  • Extensive research

  • Identification of food triggers

  • Management and reduction of GI symptoms

  • Better quality of life

  • Lots of resources available

So, what diseases does the Low FODMAP diet help?

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

So, how do I start and follow the Low FODMAP diet successfully?

  • Seek professional help

  • Keep a food diary

  • Gather the necessary resources

  • Initiate the elimination phase

  • Reintroduction of FODMAP's

  • Personalizing our diet

Here's where the book gets fun! A total of 100 recipes are included in this book. There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert recipes included in the collection.

BREAKFAST

  1. Blueberry Muffins

  2. Breakfast Quiche with Spinach and Bacon

  3. Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal

LUNCH

  1. Grilled Chicken Salad with Mixed Greens

  2. Sushi Bowl with Shrimp and Avocado

  3. Salmon and Spinach Salad

DINNER

  1. Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

  2. Low FODMAP Tacos

  3. Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers

SNACK

  1. Rice Cakes with Almond Butter and Banana

  2. Olives and Feta Cheese

  3. Mixed Berry Smoothie

DESSERT

  1. Coconut Macaroons

  2. Strawberry Shortcake

  3. Mixed Berry Popsicles

I found this book to be very informative and helpful. This is a book I would recommend.


Disclaimer - I reviewed this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

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