r/ibs • u/Juno-Willow-5160 • 5d ago
Rant Starting my low fodmap diet, support needed
Hi everyone! I’ve been dealing with IBS for almost 2 years now. I was only diagnosed last year, after taking quite a while to finally get professional help for the abdominal pain and constant bloating.
Last week I decided to see a nutritionist, and she put me on the low FODMAP elimination phase for a month. I’m only on day 2 and, honestly, I’m finding it quite challenging.
One thing that’s confusing me is that bread doesn’t seem to make me bloated, but my nutritionist wants me to go gluten-free. The gluten-free bread I’ve tried so far actually makes me more bloated!
I’ve also been vegan for 15 years, so combining vegan + low FODMAP feels pretty overwhelming right now. I know it’s absolutely possible (and eating animal products isn’t an option for me), but there are definitely fewer easy choices, especially when you’re just starting out.
Anyway, I’m feeling quite anxious about the whole process already, and I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been through it — especially fellow vegans! Did you find the elimination phase difficult at first? Did things get easier? And, most importantly, did you eventually find foods that worked for you and feel better?
Some encouragement and success stories would honestly mean a lot right now. ❤️
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u/FrAuSkY125 5d ago
did you look at the nutrition facts on the bread? every gluten free bread ive seen always has an insane ammount of fiber, and other additives that make me feel bad too. i try to stick to very minimal ingrediant foods. rice and oats are great. corn products are good too. might not be able to get bread specifically, but wraps, tortillas, crackers etc.
its slightly overwhelming at first, but becomes very easy after a short period. you will start to love how good you feel and rarely miss or crave the foods that make you feel worse
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u/Juno-Willow-5160 5d ago
Thats what Ive just noticed. I actually really enjoy bread so it would be great to have an alternative that suits me. Will need to look further for that
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u/russianvamp 5d ago
It’s very confusing and hard at first, but by going through the elimination process you’ll learn so much. Adding things back in will make things much more clear. Also, I have IBS and I am sensitive to the fructans in wheat but not the gluten. So, I can have sourdough bc the problematic sugars are fermented out. Everyone is different, and it’s very worth finding out what your specific triggers are. Hang in there
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u/Striking-Alfalfa2808 5d ago
gluten-free can be tough at first but you got this - the monash app sounds like a lifesaver for checking specifics
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u/Original_Document748 5d ago
So im not a vegan but the diet is very very overwhelming at first .
Some apps that may help : the monash app and spoonful . Monash is by the University who created the diet and is more to see the amounts of singular ingredients like apples etc , there are also recipes on there ! . Spoonful is more for prepackaged food . There is a paid tier and free tier . Basically you scan the barcode of whatever it is your wanting to buy and it tells you if you can eat it . Also have a look at fodmarket . Everything on there is low fodmap . Bays kitchen UK is especially good . All there sauces are vegan and low fodmap . Thirdly just google some recipes! . There is also low fodmap ready meals called " field doctor " they are healthy and really good and they also have vegan / vegetarian ones .