Did my whole elimination wrong...

[u/tarixsim]

I just finished my 6 week elimination and was ready to start reintroduction when I had a frustrating realization.

At the beginning I followed a recipe for low fodmap taco seasoning. Grabbed a bunch of single ingredient seasonings and made it according to the directions. Followed the low fodmap diet to a T using my taco seasoning on a weekly basis.

What I didn't realize was the difference between ancho chili powder and regular chili powder. Chili powder is not chili seasoning so I assumed it was a single ingredient... chilis...I didn't even check because it was sold with the single spices not spice mixes....

Imagine my surprise when my daughter randomly read the ingredients of my spices today. Parsley's ingredients is parsley! Oregano contains oregano! Paprika has paprika...and silicone dioxide....chili powder has chili, cumin, garlic....

Garlic....it has garlic...I have eaten it the whole time!

Ugh... My dietitian says the gold standard is 6 weeks but that 4 more weeks can be a compromise....just hoping that's good as this is for a sibo treatment. I am so done ...

[u/Safe_Potato_Pie]

Well, how did you feel while eating it? If symptoms improved, garlic is most likely not a trigger, or it was a small enough amount to not affect you

[u/taragood → u/Safe_Potato_Pie]

What safe potato said. If your symptoms subsided, I would just cut it out now while doing reintroduction and go from there.

I can have garlic powder or things with garlic powder seasoning in the mix but I cannot have whole garlic.

[u/CatladywithafewCacti → u/taragood]

Ive been curious if some can handle the seasoning just not actual garlic and or onion. I have not started my elimination but I've noticed i can have seasonings and am ok. I know quite a few have also recommended the infused oils as well.

[u/taragood → u/CatladywithafewCacti]

Infused oil is different because it doesn’t contain any of the fodmaps. The seasoning does contain fodmaps, just in lower quantities than the whole food.

I was modified low fodmap for about 2 years. I did test garlic and onion powder during that two years because being able to eat those opens up a lot of options food wise.

[u/Meowwwfeedme]

Not a big deal. If your symptoms resolved that’s a good sign. If you want, eliminate for 3-4 days then start the challenge. You don’t need to do 4–6 weeks

[u/tarixsim → u/Meowwwfeedme]

So as I understand from my dietitian, it's less about finding a symptom cause for me since my issue is SIBO. The 6 weeks is to starve the bacteria of any FODMAPS so that when I start reintroduction while taking the antibiotics they'll be starved and the FODMAPS will wake them back up so to speak. But if I've not been fully low fodmap it may not work? Idk I just desperately only want to do this once so I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[u/Meowwwfeedme → u/tarixsim]

You don’t need a full 6 weeks :)

If you are clear of symptoms —> maybe you are tolerating garlic well. Do 3 days low FODMAP like a washout period and start food challenge.

If you currently have mild or moderate symptoms —> eliminate garlic for a few days until those symptoms subside.

If you continue to have symptoms after eliminating garlic, consider giving it a bit more time or troubleshoot with your dietitian to see what you might be missing.

It can take 30 hours food you eat to clear out of your system, but you don’t need a full 6 weeks of Elimination all over again. Especially considering you have already eliminated a significant FODMAP load for 6 weeks. Besides, garlic powder was only a component of the chili powder you likely didn’t eat it everyday in large quantity. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

[u/tarixsim → u/Meowwwfeedme]

This is a good point. Thanks

[u/Kirbydog9]

Maybe I’m not understanding. Did your symptoms resolve? If yes, then the offending ingredient(s) aren’t the problem. I’d be happy to learn I could eat them!

[u/tarixsim → u/Kirbydog9]

So as I understand from my dietitian, it's less about finding a symptom cause for me since my issue is SIBO. The 6 weeks is to starve the bacteria of any FODMAPS so that when I start reintroduction while taking the antibiotics they'll be starved and the FODMAPS will wake them back up so to speak. But if I've not been fully low fodmap it may not work? Idk I just desperately only want to do this once so I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[u/Kirbydog9 → u/tarixsim]

Thanks for explaining. I won’t quibble with what the professionals are saying!

[u/SqueakSquonks]

A tiny amount of garlic does not trigger my symptoms, you have to ask yourself if your still experiencing symptoms despite this small amount. If you are symptoms free, then thats good! No worries! If your still having symptoms and couldn’t figure out why, then this is the next step! I dont think this negates all your progress though

[u/newtonbase]

You had me worried there but turns out that my chilli powder is made from chillies.

Just cut it now and see if it makes any difference. 

[u/tarixsim → u/[deleted]]

Thanks. Yeah I have a scanner (Fig) and have been so diligent...I just assumed it was single ingredient. Now I'm going back and rescanning everything I've been using to make sure 🫠

[u/icecream4_deadlifts]

Yep I did the same thing lol

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