FODMAPS are rapidly fermented dietary sugars that occur in certain foods. They include Lactose, Fructose, Sorbitol, Mannitol and Sucrose. For some people, FODMAP sugars be very poorly absorbed in the small intestine and so pass through into the large intestine undigested. Here they can ferment, causing bloating, excessive gas and diarrhoea.

 

People are often advise to avoid all FODMAP containing foods in the form of a very restrictive diet. The problem with this is that, although some of the symptoms may be reduced, you may be avoiding some food groups unnecessarily. Very restrictive diets can also lead to nutrient deficiencies and a diminished variety of beneficial bacteria living in the gut.

 

Breath tests are available for these sugars to specifically identify which sugars may be causing a problem for you. Heidi can then tailor a diet especially for you, which only excludes those particular groups that are causing the problems.