FODMAPS

*Trigger warning- this post focuses on a dietary plan, food and eating habits. 

As someone that is spent the majority of my life is dealing with stomach problems It blows my mind that it took reading a friend's blog to learn about fodmaps, and the impacts that they could be having on my digestive system. 

What is a FODMAP you ask... Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly.

 While the majority of the food that I enjoy and eat already, falls into the Low Fodmap category- almond milk, chicken, turkey, potatoes, carrots, rice and quinoa, blueberries and most melons (except watermelon). Many foods I eat regularly fall into the high fodmap category- wheat, apples, beans, watermelon and cauliflower.  

I'm at a point in dealing with my digestive issues that I will honestly try anything. If this can help, I'm all for it. 

For the last few days I have been starting to avoid high fodmap foods. 

I've gone through the wringer with gluten and breads. I have found 1 type of bread by 1 producer that I can eat without issue, so Seattle Sourdough stays, but other than this I tend to focus on rices and ancient grains instead anyway.

I am limiting my dairy intake to cheeses low in fodmaps- it's not an all or nothing with dairy, which I thought was interesting. So no cream cheese, ricotta (glad I don't live in NY any more), yogurt or milks, but I can eat Swiss, Havarti, mozzarella, and BRIE thank goodness for that one. 

I cut out milk unless it was baked into a product years ago. My "ice cream" is coconut based and I drink Almond milk and have been since I cut out soy in February.  (Turns out most soy milks are high fodmap) But I tend to struggle with soy in general- it's in everything, so I do my best. 

Today after a latte that was was to rich for me-- shocker... I ate foods that did not make me sick. I enjoyed the food I ate and I am going to bed feeling good. I don't think you understand how rare this is.  That I could eat 2 FULL MEALS in a day, and feel good. It's been months.

My meals included a Turkey patty melt (Swiss on sourdough). Roasted potatoes and cantaloupe, dinner was more roasted potatoes and shredded chicken with mayo and the 1 alcoholic beverage I am allowed a day. I've started drinking a hard Seltzer by Maha and it's really refreshing and doesn't give me the same issues that beer does has started to- though I still enjoy one from time to time.  

I always thought eating in a way my body would accept would be really hard and I would need to actually learn how to cook and meal prep (those that know me well, know how much better I eat when J is in town)  which BTW he isn't right now so I'm actually cooking for myself. This is also a very big deal. 

I know I'm only 1 day in, but it feels good to feel good. I'm up for the adventure.

Thank you to Kate for making me aware that this is a thing I could be thinking about. 

Signing off for now

-C