What are FODMAPs? High and Low FODMAP Foods
Discover FODMAPs, how this structured medical nutrition therapy works, and a practical guide to foods high and low in FODMAPs.
What are FODMAPs? Complete list for the elimination phase and why it cannot be universal.
When people ask me what FODMAPs are, I usually explain that it is not simply a list of prohibited and permitted foods. The term FODMAP refers to a group of short-chain carbohydrates (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) that can trigger digestive symptoms in predisposed individuals.
The so-called low FODMAP diet is actually a set of dietary interventions that restrict, to a greater or lesser extent, fermentable sugars in the patient's diet.
It is medical nutrition therapy structured in three phases and 100% personalized, whose objective is not to maintain indefinite restrictions, but to identify individual tolerance and ultimately achieve the most varied diet possible for each case.
Therefore, although many people look for a "complete list" of high and low FODMAP foods, I must clarify that this simplification does not reflect the real complexity of an approach that must always be adapted on an individual basis.
What are the phases of the low FODMAP diet?
The dietary intervention based on low FODMAP foods consists of three phases:
- Initial elimination phase, of limited duration.
- Progressive reintroduction by FODMAP groups, assessing tolerance.
- Personalization and maintenance, with the most varied diet possible.
That is why reducing the low FODMAP diet to a simple list of foods can lead to issues, especially when portion sizes and the patient's clinical context are not taken into account.
Why it is difficult to find a complete list of FODMAPs
The classification of low and high FODMAP foods depends on several factors that are often overlooked:
Where to find reliable information
Even so, we can find reliable information that takes all of the above into account. In my practice, I use data provided by Monash University, a pioneer in the development of this diet therapy.
Through their website and mobile app, they analyze foods by serving size and specific FODMAP content, allowing for a much more precise approach than generic lists.
What to do as a healthcare professional (and why not prescribe it without supervision)
In my experience, the FODMAP diet therapy should not be applied without specialized supervision. My recommendation is to always refer the patient to a Registered Dietitian with specific training in this approach.
Ultimately, it is a structured intervention that requires individual assessment and follow-up, so I do not recommend starting it on your own.
FODMAP Table: low FODMAP foods for the restrictive elimination phase (practical guidance)
The following table lists examples of foods allowed on the FODMAP diet during the restrictive elimination phase, always bearing in mind that portion sizes are crucial:
Final note on the reintroduction phase
Why it cannot be standardized in a table The subsequent phase cannot be summarized in a standard table. Reintroduction must be carried out in a structured manner, evaluating symptoms and adjusting quantities on an individual basis.
Precisely because of this degree of personalization, it is not possible to provide a complete list applicable to all patients beyond the initial restrictive phase.
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