You have GOT to be kidding me... No Garlic OR Onion? {Low FODMAP Living}

It has dawned on me that people that stumble upon my blog because they are searching for Low FODMAP will know exactly what this food plan entails (or at least be aware that this food plan exists) and are just looking for ideas and recipes. BUT, for those I direct here and nicely ask to check it out and tell me how incredibly awesome it is (AHEM... Hubby & Girls - I am referring to you), may not know the incredible amount of food restrictions that have recently been bestowed upon me and seized from my pantry and refrigerator... Like NO MORE GARLIC OR ONION!

I planned to have my next blog post to be an incredible tasty new recipe with terrific photos; but you will need to visit my blog again (pretty please?) so that I can briefly take this post to explain the ins and outs of the Low FODMAP food plan. And, to clarify, I am NOT an expert on this subject or a nutritionist or dietician.  I am Simply Cindy Anne trying to maneuver my way through a complicated eating plan that up until February, 2014 was not even in my vocabulary!

Low FODMAP. What does it mean? Each letter is an acronym for a group of foods I need to avoid...

F              =Fermentable (Gas Producing)

O             =Oligosaccharides – (Fructans & Galacto-oligosaccharides) – (kinds of sugars) in foods such as cereals, bread, biscuits, cakes, pasta

D             =Disacharides (Lactose) for example, dairy foods

M            =Monosaccharides (Fructose) in fruit juice, honey, peas, jams, snack bars

A             =And

P              =Polyols – (Sorbitol & Manitol) – (sugar alcohols) found in fruits with stones and some vegetables, such as onions and leeks. Also found in artificial sweeteners and sugar-free gum

WHEW! Easy, right?  I did a whole bunch of searching the internet and Pinterest (LOVE Pinterest) to gain some knowledge of my new life. This checklist created by a registered and licensed dietician, Kate Scarlata, is one of the best I have found.

http://blog.katescarlata.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/FODMAP1_5_2013.pdf

I hope this post has helped you understand some about Low FODMAP living.  If you are living the life, as I am, or even if you aren't... Stop back often.  I have lots of recipes on my "to try" list along with many old favorites that I am going to attempt to revamp so they are Low FODMAP friendly!  Cheers to eating healthy, tasty foods and having a tummy that loves your choices!

~HAPPY EATING~



Life As I Knew It...

January 20, 2014... A Monday.  And, a day I won't soon forget.  Because Monday, January 20, 2014 was the day that my stomach decided to go beserk!  It was on this day that life as I knew it changed ~ Probably Forever!

It was on this day that out of nowhere I started visiting the bathroom... OFTEN.  As in 10-12 times per day often.  Twenty-six days, two doctors, a couple prescriptions and dozens of tests later (and down 13 pounds which, I guess, is somewhat of a positive) it was determined that since it is nothing else, it must be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  Okay? What now? 

I was told to start following a Low FODMAP diet plan and handed some paperwork to give me a glimpse of what I can and cannot eat.  Do it for six weeks the doctor suggested and then slowly add one "not allowed" food at a time to help determine what my "trigger" foods are.

AAAAUUUUUGH!  You have got to be kidding me!  Why can't this just be a parasite or something easy?  Give me some antibiotics and once again I'm good to go!  I love to cook and I love to try new recipes (which like the weight loss, I guess is a positive); but, I can't have any of the ingredients that I typically "go to" when cooking, baking and creating new recipes.

Some days I am in denial and think they are wrong.  I just need to let my stomach settle for a few weeks and I will be able to go back to eating as I always have.  Other days I think this just may have been a blessing in disguise as I was struggling with weight loss, eating but not really feeding my body and deep down I knew a healthier food plan (even if forced and out of necessity) was in my best interest.

But, anyhow I want to look at this, the bottom line is I really do feel better when I follow the Low FODMAP eating plan.  I always refer to life as a book.  Turn the page... I guess I am starting another chapter!  The title of this chapter is "Low FODMAP Living."  Welcome to my journey...

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