Pros and Cons of the LFD

The low FODMAP diet (LFD) has been gaining popularity in the last few years. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming that you know at least a little bit about it. In a nutshell, this is a diet used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. Its focus is to eliminate and then add back certain small-chain carbohydrates in many foods we eat.

These carbohydrates are in healthy foods, but the way they act in our guts is believed to be the cause of many people’s IBS symptoms. As foods are added back to the diet, no unpleasant reaction means that the food is tolerated by that individual, at least in the quantity tested. If the food is not tolerated, then it should be avoided at least for the time being to keep symptoms in check.

While this diet has been a breakthrough in the treatment of IBS and has helped countless people find their “trigger” foods, it does have a few drawbacks. But first, let me list some of the positives in trying this diet.

Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of the low FODMAP diet.

Pros:

  • No medication is involved. Yay!

  • In fact, it performs better than medications in relieving symptoms for some people.

  • Studies have shown that about 3 out of 4 people find relief using this method.

  • This diet can be combined with other treatments to increase the success rate even more.

  • Knowing your trigger foods allows you to order confidently in restaurants, attend social events you may have avoided in the past, and start to be adventurous in your life again.

  • There has been an explosion in the number of products made specifically for those following the LFD making shopping for and following the diet easier.

  • People can typically finish the 3 phases of the diet in about 3 short months. That’s pretty quick.

  • Knowing which foods to avoid can let you sleep through the night. Huge win.

  • Using two particular apps makes the diet a piece of cake.*

  • Imagine eating a meal and not stressing about how it’s going to affect you.

  • You can reduce daytime grogginess and brain fog.

  • This diet gives you the information you need to explain to friends and family why you’re avoiding certain foods and be able to tell them which specific foods.

  • Banish the belly bloat and discomfort that comes from IBS.

  • You will miss fewer days of work due to IBS symptoms.

  • Imagine the relief you’ll feel when you look at a restaurant menu and can order with confidence.

  • Your overall quality of life will improve if the diet worked for you!

Cons:

  • Choosing your meals and foods will require some extra thought and planning. However, you’re probably doing that already just not in a systematic way and with poor results.

  • Some of the foods on the diet can be more expensive than the typical version. Once you know your foods, you can make many foods at home for lower prices.

  • Starting this diet might also mean buying two types of bread, sauces, condiments, etc. if you have a family and they don’t want to switch to the low FODMAP types. They are delicious though, so try to convert them.

  • Going out to restaurants can be tricky in the elimination and trial phases. There are many foods to avoid in these phases, but the list should become much smaller once triggers are determined.

  • You’ll have to be comfortable asking for your food to be made without certain ingredients at restaurants or friends’ houses. But it’s so worth it.

  • The elimination phase can be low in fiber and some other nutrients, so it should not be followed for more than 6 weeks. Working with an experienced dietitian can help keep it healthy.

So go ahead and take another look at the pros and cons of the LFD. You can weigh your options now that you’re armed with more information. If you do decide to try the diet, studies have shown success while working with a trained dietitian nutritionist. I have seen from experience that those who try to go it alone end up confused and frustrated. Meanwhile, they are no closer to knowing what their trigger foods are.

I’m a Monash-trained dietitian. Want to work with me?

*The apps are the Monash FODMAP app and the FODMAPFriendly app.

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Avoiding Gluten Due to Belly Bloat?

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Phase 3 of The Low Fodmap Diet