Welcome to FODMAP's UK

[Carly - Admin]

Firstly, thank you for joining this UK forum dedicated to those on the FODMAP diet. I am guessing you are here because like me you are also an extreme IBS sufferer and your doctor has suggested that you try this diet in order to combat your symptoms?

The FODMAP diet is a relatively new concept in the UK and much of the information you will find online is US or Australian based so the thinking behind this forum is that all of us in the UK can share our experiences and hopefully gain some help and knowledge from eachother along teh way.

So what exactly are FODMAP's? Well, scientifically, FODMAPs are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols found in foods naturally or as food additives. FODMAPs include fructose (when in excess of glucose), fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), lactose and polyols (eg. sorbitol and mannitol).

All of these have been proven to cause havoc with IBS and whilst this is by no means a cure for IBS it is a good start in regaining some normality to daily life. It doesn't have to be a 'forever' diet but its worth a short for 6 to 8 weeks initially to see if it makes any kind of difference.

So please, feel free to share your experiences and hopefully we can all lead a more comfortable life?