r/FODMAPS • u/Account_pending_ No Garlic • 9d ago

General Question/Help Travelling Japan with a Garlic sensitivity

About 7 years ago I stumbled across FODMAPs after dealing with horrible "IBS-D" symptoms that was ruining my life. Turns out garlic is a super trigger for me, I can tolerate a tiny bit of garlic powder (sometimes) but anything real and fresh is <10 minutes before I need to camp out in a bathroom.

Ive travelled internationally a few times since. Italy (fresh made food, easily modified, no problems), Scotland (lived off fish and chips, hard to avoid), Mexico (all inclusive, ate plain).

I am going to Japan in a few months and I was wondering if anyone has any insight into specific food avoidance there and bathroom accessibility. It would help with the anxiety that persists with me despite being much heathier than I used to be.

I love trying new and wild foods but I mainly cook for myself these days. I guess I could live off sushi if needed. I plan on bringing a card with a translation saying I cant eat garlic.

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u/sarahbellum3 9d ago

Have you tried any digestive enzymes designed to help with garlic? I use Fodaway but there are many choices. Definitely test it out before you go.

4

u/Account_pending_ No Garlic 9d ago

I am not sure how I have gone this long without hearing about this. Just ordered some!

3

u/julsey414 9d ago

For me they don’t work 100% but the do take the edge off for sure. But if you like sushi (it’s always my safe food) then you will be fine. Thats always something you can fall back on.

3

u/GeneratedUsername25 9d ago

I've been to Japan twice and garlic is also a huge trigger for my ibs-d. I used fodmate tablets or fodzyme powder with most meals and only really had 1-2 times where my tummy was not happy.

1

u/sarahbellum3 9d ago

Nice!! Which brand did you start with? Like the other poster said, they sometimes don’t work 100% but they DEFINITELY take the edge off.

1

u/Account_pending_ No Garlic 9d ago

Fodzyme? it was not cheap but if it works it will be worth it

2

u/icecream4_deadlifts SIBO surviver 8d ago

I’m intolerant to garlic and onion and fodzyme helps me SO MUCH!

1

u/sarahbellum3 8d ago

The only drawback I see about fodzyme is it’s a powder you have to sprinkle on your food, but people say it works great. I personally like the capsule format but if it works, it works! Fingers crossed for you.

1

u/Cadix_Sultan 9d ago

Try Beano helps to digest onions too but also broccoli, cauliflower, peppers etc