Empowering you today to create your own FODMAP diet plan using any combination of the 310 graphics I put together.
That’s right….310 FODMAP graphics are available to you for download now!
Get them all by clicking HERE. (p.s. If you are on my exclusive email list – the Rated-G email club – check your email for a special discount on the e-book from now through October 18.)
But first, let’s chat about how to create your own FODMAP diet plan.
Create Your Own FODMAP Diet Plan
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Right now you are thinking,
WHAT? You’re crazy. I can’t possibly create my own FODMAP diet plan. I’m too complicated, it’s too complicated. And I need help. Just give me the diet template.
I’m going to challenge you here for a minute.
You can create your own, and the FODMAP diet “template” will not work for you (or anyone else).
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…..
All the diets, plans, and protocols will be meaningless until you understand how they apply to you, as an individual.
There are 26 gut healing diets featured in “What is the Best Gut Healing Diet?”
Number 14 on that list is the low-FODMAP diet. So yes, yes it can be the templated diet you choose for your gut healing journey if it make sense for you.
What is the FODMAP Diet Plan?
First, what is the FODMAP diet plan?
The low-FODMAP diet is paying attention to the classification of foods known as FODMAPs.
FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols, which are short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that are poorly absorbed by the body.
If and when they are poorly absorbed, abdominal pain and bloating can surface.
Following the FODMAP diet plan means that in some way, shape, or form you eliminate and/or limit the amount (or type) of FODMAP foods.
And of course there is a standard, FODMAP diet template floating around out there.
The one you’ve seen time and time again says, “Eliminate any and all high-FODMAP foods.”
But this might not work for you because either:
- It’s too restrictive and you can’t even stick with it for one day, or
- You don’t actually need to.
So then how can you create your own version of the FODMAP diet?
Top 3 Tips for Creating Your Own FODMAP Diet Plan
Now remember, I am healed from SIBO. Everything I share is from both a researched and practical standpoint.
Therefore, start with these 3 tips:
- If you have been diagnosed with SIBO and you’re absolutely miserable (but not yet taking any antibiotics), I think it’s okay to refrain from any and all high-FODMAP foods for an “elimination period” (2-4/6 weeks, depending on severity).
- But if you have been diagnosed and your doctor has you starting on antibiotics, consider eating FODMAPs while on the antibiotics.
- If you have not yet been diagnosed with SIBO, but highly suspect it (in conjunction with your healthcare provider), consider playing with “what you can get by with” from a FODMAP standpoint.
- Finally, if you have not yet been diagnosed with anything, but you have symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, see number 2 and apply as necessary.
Whether or not you choose all or nothing from a FODMAP consumption standpoint is completely up to you.
Personally, I’d rather find my own happy-medium and then keep track of how my body is responding, readjust and go from there.
And this is how you can create your own FODMAP diet.
Step 1: Track It
Before you even start that diet, make sure you have a way of tracking it.
I’m going to nail this point in until my last breath because I could have saved myself years of “investigating” if I would have just focused on the important things by using the right journal.
You’ll NEVER know what is working or not by “winging it.” Believe me. I tried for a decade to believe I could.
And yes, shameless plug, but my journal, Healing Blooms from Within is what you need.
The physical version (HERE) is best because it is done, complete, printed, and will be shipped directly to you (ready to use).
But the e-version still has everything you need. You can get started today by clicking HERE, purchasing and downloading the files.
Okay, now that we’re all clear on that, let’s keep moving ahead.
Step 2: Decide on One Thing
Alright, now I realize this step is going to be very hard for you. It was for me, too.
You see, we start a “new diet,” and when it “doesn’t work” after 3 days we give up, then move onto the next thing. I can promise you, though, that the diet you’re doing for 3 days is not the thing that is or is not working.
It’s either:
- other lifestyle factors
- a templated diet that was never yours to begin with
I’m not here to talk about lifestyle today. I discuss this 24/7 in other places on my website and online (because it’s a huge passion for gut healing).
I’m here to talk about the diet portion.
So, let me be very clear.
There is no templated diet that is yours. That’s just the story massive diet creators want you to believe because they sell product(s) based off that superior diet story.
However, that is not to say that 90% of any given diet won’t work for you. It most likely will.
It’s just that 10% of any given diet will not work for you as-is.
And when it doesn’t, we give up.
The cycle of diet -> not healing continues.
Since this post is about the FODMAP diet, what I mean is that you should decide to follow your version of the FODMAP diet for XX number of weeks.
Don’t make it too short or too long. Make it manageable. And don’t give up. Keep track in journal, relentlessly, what is and is not working.
Now, here’s where it gets good and interesting (and real)!
The FODMAP diet that is yours does not inherently mean no FODMAP food anywhere at any time in any way, shape, or form.
Which brings me to step 3.
Step 3: Implement Reasonably
When I initially followed the FODMAP diet, what I got wrong was assuming that I could never, no matter what have a FODMAP.
So, instead of having 1/4 cup of blueberries (because that is low-FODMAP), I’d have none.
And I was so frustrated. I know you know what I’m talking about.
Do not do this.
Instead, start your FODMAP diet by implementing it reasonably. This means that, whenever possible, you have some (aka 1/4 cup + a little more blueberries) vs none.
Eat them without stress, enjoy, and then record in your journal if and when a reaction occurs.
It most likely won’t, but if it did, one thing you might hypothesize is that fructans (the image above explains that hypothesis) could be an issue for you.
Note anything and everything in your journal.
The “fructan” hypothesis may or may not prove to be true. You’d have to do more testing with other fructan-containing foods.
It’s the only way to do a true controlled study.
And wait, there’s more – in step 4 – which coincides with this step 3.
Step 4: Implement Reasonably by Making a List Filled with Variety
Another shameless plug, but my e-book, Reasonable SIBO has 310 – YES, you read that correctly – 310 graphics just like the blueberry one from above.
Use the book by grabbing it HERE and make your list of foods to comprise your diet for the next xx weeks.
And remember, because we are shooting for eating more not less, variety is your friend.
I’ll help you start with 11 graphics you’ll find in the e-book. (Remember, there are 310 of these.)
And then….
Step 5: Create Your Own FODMAP Diet Plan, Understand What’s Next
After you have kept with your own FODMAP diet version for the set amount of weeks (remember, 2- 4/6 weeks), you’ll need to decide what happens next.
The way you decide this is by asking yourself…..
How is this working for me?
And remember, I have a whole post on that topic to revisit HERE.
You’re at a fork in the road at this point. After you ask the question and honestly answer it, then either:
- Scale back more to identify the triggers (IF you know for sure it’s diet related) or
- Add more things back in, slowly, to identify triggers and sensitivities.
To continue on this road, check out my post on How to Reintroduce Foods After an Elimination Diet.
And that’s how you’re going to create your own diet following FODMAP “guidelines.”
Questions?!
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Xox,
SKH
You will heal. I will help.
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