The elimination phase of the low FODMAP diet can be extremely difficult.
I remember my first trip to the grocery store after starting the diet. By the time I got to the third aisle I nearly broke down and cried; so many of the things I needed to buy had FODMAPs.
Why do so many foods have high fructose corn syrup? Why must onion powder be in just about every food?
Among the things I had trouble finding that didn’t have trigger ingredients: ketchup, salad dressing, chicken broth, mustard, barbecue sauce, salsa and taco seasoning. And that was all within the first few aisles of the store!
The low FODMAP diet is also a challenge when you go out to eat. Why must garlic and onion be added to seemingly everything?
That’s the reason I created this site. I want to teach you what I’ve learned about certain foods to help you work through the process in a healthy way.
All of this can weigh on your mental health. Mental health is extremely important, so here are some things to think about that might get you over the hump:
- A little bit of FODMAP won’t kill you. Although you need to try to eliminate it during the first phase of the diet, ingesting a bit of onion powder shouldn’t set you too far back.
- Remind yourself that the elimination phase isn’t forever. During the testing phase, you might find that you can handle a small bit of certain foods that are restricted on the diet.
- Focus on the benefits of the diet, not the drawbacks. Think about how much better you feel and focus on the end result you are working toward.
You might try meditating or exercise as a way to get you through. And don’t be shy about contacting a trained therapist who can help you work through the challenges of this restrictive diet. Mental health is more important that this diet.