What are some alternatives to a low fodmap diet?
For individuals who find the low FODMAP diet too restrictive, other options include an elimination diet, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), or the Mediterranean diet. These alternatives can be tailored to avoid known trigger foods while still providing a wider variety of nutrients. Working with a dietitian can help find the most suitable approach for long-term digestive health.
1
High-Fiber Diet
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Increases fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to promote bowel regularity.
2
Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
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Focuses on easily digestible carbohydrates to improve gut health.
3
GAPS Diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome)
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Designed to heal the gut lining by eliminating certain foods and focusing on gut-friendly nutrients.
4
Fructose-Free Diet
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Eliminates high-fructose foods like apples, honey, and processed sweets to reduce IBS-like symptoms.
5
Low-Residue Diet
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Limits high-fiber foods to reduce bowel movements and irritation, particularly for IBD patients.
6
Lactose-Free Diet
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Removes dairy products to manage symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as bloating and gas.
7
Elimination Diet
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Temporarily removes suspected trigger foods (e.g., dairy, gluten) to identify intolerances.
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Whole Foods Diet
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Emphasizes unprocessed, whole foods to reduce intake of preservatives, additives, and irritants.
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Elemental Diet
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Uses easily digestible liquid formulas to reduce digestive workload and help manage symptoms.
10
Monash University IBS Diet
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Tailored for IBS patients, similar to low-FODMAP but includes portion control and specific food recommendations.
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Nutrient-Dense Diet
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Focuses on nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fish to support overall gut health.
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Balanced Macrobiotic Diet
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Focuses on whole grains, vegetables, and plant-based foods to promote digestive balance.
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Ayurvedic Diet
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Focuses on balancing body energies (doshas) and eating according to one's constitution to improve digestion.
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Mediterranean Diet
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Rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, which may reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
15
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
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Focuses on foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and nuts that reduce inflammation and support gut health.
16
Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet
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Designed to reduce inflammation and repair gut health by removing inflammatory foods.
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Low-Fat, Low-Acid Diet
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Reduces acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, and fatty foods, to manage symptoms of GERD or reflux.
18
Paleo Diet
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Emphasizes whole foods, lean proteins, and vegetables while eliminating processed foods and grains.
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Low-Fat Diet
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Reduces fatty foods, which can help minimize bloating and digestive discomfort.
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Histamine Elimination Diet
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Reduces high-histamine foods like aged cheese, alcohol, and fermented foods to avoid histamine intolerance symptoms.
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Low-Histamine Diet
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Focuses on fresh foods with low histamine levels, like fresh meat, eggs, and non-citrus fruits, to reduce histamine reactions.
22
Plant-Based Diet
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Emphasizes plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes) and may improve digestion and gut health.
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Gluten-Free Diet
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Eliminates gluten to help reduce bloating and discomfort in those sensitive to gluten.
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Low-Oxalate Diet
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Reduces oxalate-rich foods like spinach and nuts for individuals with oxalate sensitivity, which can exacerbate gut issues.
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Low-Salicylate Diet
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Eliminates foods high in salicylates, such as tomatoes and certain fruits, for those sensitive to salicylates.
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Ketogenic Diet
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High-fat, low-carb diet that may help reduce inflammation and improve gut health in some individuals.
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Intermittent Fasting
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Involves periodic fasting, which can give the digestive system a break and reduce symptoms.
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Whole30 Diet
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A 30-day elimination diet that removes processed foods, sugars, and inflammatory foods to identify sensitivities.
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Fermentation-Friendly Diet
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Includes fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt to promote healthy gut bacteria.
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Candida Diet
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Eliminates sugar and refined carbs to reduce Candida overgrowth, which can contribute to digestive symptoms.