Tired of bloating, gas, abdominal pain or bowel trouble?

Reoccurring digestive issues can really cramp your style.

So you look to your doctor for help but he tells you it’s “all in your head” (wait…I thought it was my gut?). He labels you with a confusing acronym (IBS, IBD, SIBO) and sends you out the door.

Desperate for relief, you turn to the natural community. You sign up for an enormous amount of supplements, enzymes, cleansing treatments and spend all your money on whatever promises to heal you.

But what if you try it all and you STILL aren’t better? 

That was me a year ago. After five years of increasing digestive pain, my symptoms spiraled out of control and resulted in an autoimmune disease.

In a massive effort to heal my chronic pain, I did it all. Vegan. Vegetarian. Paleo. Whole 30. I eliminated anything and everything for just a little symptom relief.

I went dairy free, gluten free, corn free and egg free…all at the same time, for a long time.

I saw a naturalist, took a regimen of pills, drank dirt and mixed high fiber smoothies. I took enzymes, curcumin, turmeric, garlic; any spice that promised to be nice.

It was crazy but I was desperate. I just wanted my health back.

But NOTHING worked.

Not the enzymes, the “healthy” food, the fad diets…nada.

To my surprise, I discovered that I had small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). My diagnosis led me to a diet that was gaining popularity in Australia and showed scientific evidence of improving chronic gut symptoms. 

I decided to give it a shot. What could I lose? I had already tried everything.

Within 2 weeks the Low-Fodmap Diet completely eliminated ALL of my symptoms. Two weeks, you guys! I now live the majority of my days symptom free and can enjoy food again without fearing the consequences!

This is the ONLY thing I have found that legitimately works for IBS and SIBO symptom relief!

If you are suffering from digestive pain, you must give this diet a try. The best part? It’s completely free.

FODMAP FAQS

How does it work?

This is NOT a fad diet. It’s science.

If you have chronic digestive problems similar to IBS or SIBO, chances are good that bacteria in your gut has relocated to the wrong place (like your small intestine). When you eat foods that don’t digest (fiber, undigested carbs), it provides a smorgasbord of food for the bacteria. After feasting, the bacteria produces hydrogen or methane gases which cause painful symptoms like bloating, abdominal distention and pain.

The Low-Fodmap Diet was specifically designed by Monash University, known for its prominent medical research in Australia. The diet restricts undigested carbohydrates (fodmaps), thereby starving the bad bacteria in your gut and decreasing your symptoms. Click here to read my more detailed post on IBS, SIBO, and the Low-Fodmap Diet.

Is it hard?

Like any diet, it can be a challenge at first but it’s not hard once you get the hang of it! Out of all the diets I’ve done, this one provides the most freedom and variety of foods/nutrition. I was super excited to be able to eat things like bread (sourdough), cheese, potatoes and rice again!

How long do I stay on it?

This is not intended to be a life-time diet. Monash University recommends following restrictions for only 2-6 weeks before having your progress reevaluated by a doctor or dietitian.

What can I eat?

Just like everything else, there’s an app for that! No need to keep a list or try to remember anything. You can purchase the Monash University Low Fodmap Diet App from the app store and have it available right on your phone! Makes grocery shopping and meal planning a breeze.

What about recipes?

If you’ve been around my blog long enough, you’ve seen me talk a lot about Low-Fodmap foods and ideas. Click here to view posts on tips and recipes. The app (above) also includes recipes to make life easier. Or check out one of my favorite Low-Fodmap cookbooks on Amazon.

Is it worth it? 

Are 6 weeks of restrictions worth being pain and symptom free? Um, YES.

Think of it this way. If you don’t try it, how much time and energy will you waste on what doesn’t work? How many more weeks will you suffer without results?

Did I mention it’s completely free? All you have to do is make different food choices when you eat. That’s it. No more wasted money on products or pills that give you halfhearted results.

Are you still suffering from digestive pain? Have you exhausted all your options? 

Give the Low-Fodmap Diet a try! It’s totally worth it. Don’t keep suffering from bloating and pain. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!