Gastrointestinal diseases
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The FODMAP diet aims to restrict the consumption of foods that are likely to cause abdominal discomfort. A dietitian can provide individualised assistance for safely trying the FODMAP diet if abdominal discomfort is making your life difficult.
Revised 7/1/2026
FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. These refer to poorly absorbed carbohydrates in food. In irritable bowel syndrome, these carbohydrates are not fully absorbed in the small intestine but travel to the large intestine, where intestinal bacteria ferment them. This produces gas, which can cause flatulence and bloating. In addition, poorly absorbed carbohydrates bind fluid in the intestine, which can increase diarrhea symptoms.
FODMAP dietary treatment is based on temporarily restricting foods rich in FODMAP carbohydrates and replacing them with better-tolerated alternatives. The treatment proceeds in three phases:
In the elimination phase, foods rich in FODMAP carbohydrates are removed from the diet, and changes in symptoms are monitored for 2–6 weeks. If symptoms alleviate, the reintroduction phase begins, where FODMAP groups are added to the diet one at a time. The goal is to identify which FODMAP groups cause symptoms and in what quantities they are tolerated. The elimination phase should not be continued for more than 4–6 weeks, as long-term restriction can adversely affect the gut microbiota. It is rare for all FODMAP groups to cause symptoms – most often, symptoms are related to only one or a few groups. The goal of the maintenance phase is a diet that is as varied, nutritionally adequate, and flexible as possible.
Dietitian supports the planning and implementation of FODMAP dietary treatment.
A dietitian helps with the planning, implementation and follow-up of the FODMAP diet. You will receive individual guidance to ensure that your diet remains nutritionally adequate and as varied as possible. The dietitian also supports the practical implementation of dietary changes and helps you find solutions that suit your daily life.
The FODMAP diet refers to a diet in which foods rich in FODMAP carbohydrates are restricted and replaced with better-tolerated alternatives. However, the FODMAP diet is often mistakenly understood as merely an elimination phase, focusing only on reducing FODMAP carbohydrates. It is equally important to find out which FODMAP groups the gut tolerates and in what quantities, to ensure the long-term diet is as varied and flexible as possible. An excessively long elimination phase can adversely affect the gut microbiota.
The FODMAP diet can be a good solution if abdominal discomfort limits your life. The FODMAP diet may be suitable for people with sensitive stomachs or those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). People with sensitive stomachs are often sensitive to the fermentation of carbohydrates in the body. In addition, a sensitive stomach may function more intensely than average, which increases pain and discomfort.
The dietitian supports the implementation of the FODMAP diet treatment. You will receive individual guidance from the dietitian on planning, implementing, and monitoring the FODMAP diet. The dietitian ensures that the diet is nutritionally adequate and as varied as possible, and helps you integrate dietary changes into your daily life.
A regular meal rhythm, sufficient fiber and fluid intake, adequate sleep, breaking up periods of sitting, and calm eating situations can be tried independently. However, the FODMAP diet is recommended to be implemented under the guidance of a dietitian. This ensures the safe and systematic implementation of the dietary treatment and the monitoring of the treatment response.
Stress and fatigue can cause abdominal problems. For example, stress may cause transient lactose intolerance, which resolves when life calms down. It is therefore advisable for someone with abdominal problems to consider their life as a whole and pay attention to getting enough sleep.
Stress, fatigue, jet lag, night work, and overly large meals can worsen abdominal symptoms. The stomach prefers a regular sleep and meal rhythm. It is advisable to ask a dietitian for help with meal rhythm, appropriate meal sizes, and to discuss what constitutes a healthy relationship with food.
