FODMAP diet in addition to other dietary restrictions?

[Anonymous]

I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian who is also peanut- and treenut-free; I may need to try the FODMAP diet, but am wondering if being a vegetarian who also can't have nuts is like finding a rainbow-farting unicorn- just not going to happen.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I know several veggie kids who are allergic to nuts. However, they are probably eating other FODMAPs. Curious why you believe you need to try this diet. It is very restrictive. Not judging --my own kid is on a restricted diet due to the results of years of medical testing, but if you believe you have a real serious problem with FODMAPs, you would find a way to live without the nuts.

[Anonymous]

You can definitely do FODMAPs as a vegetarian. Do you eat eggs? Google 'vegetarian FODMAPs recipes' and you will find a ton of options. Obviously just pass on the ones that include nuts. If you can afford it, a nutritionist can put a meal plan together for you. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can definitely do FODMAPs as a vegetarian. Do you eat eggs? Google 'vegetarian FODMAPs recipes' and you will find a ton of options. Obviously just pass on the ones that include nuts. If you can afford it, a nutritionist can put a meal plan together for you. Good luck!

Sorry, just re-read and now see you eat eggs. This is definitely doable.

[Anonymous]

Can I ask why you chose to be vegetarian? Would you feel comfortable eating small amounts of high-end, sustainable meat from a farmers market? At least while you eliminate FODMAPS, so you ensure you're body isn't lacking B vitamins or other animal-based nutrients? I agree with consulting a professional.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Sorry it's taken me awhile to respond.

I am desperate to try out the FODMAPs diet because my digestive issues have worsened. I was initially diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia, with no heartburn, but the lump in the throat feeling as well as severe bloating and feeling of heaviness in my stomach. I took prescription meds and was able to stop them for a long time (well, probably 6-8 months or so, which seems like a long time!). All of a sudden, the symptoms have returned with a vengeance and the meds aren't working.

I'm just not sure what's causing all this GI distress; there seems to be no rhyme or reason, but I have some familiarity with FODMAPs as my mom is doing it, though she is not a vegetarian, nor does she have nut restrictions. I tried adhering to it over this weekend and was doing fairly well until I stupidly ate some Cheetos yesterday at a BBQ. I know Cheetos are gross anyway, but within minutes of eating them, the bloating, heaviness, and gas returned. I've long suspected that I could be lactose-intolerant and am actually a race/ethnicity that is known to be so, so it could've been the dairy in the Cheetos. I'd like to try the low FODMAPs diet for the 4-6 weeks and then start adding items back in. If it seems that I can't isolate what the problem is, I'll see a nutritionist. In the meantime, I'm waiting on another appointment with my GI as well.

To the PP who asked why I'm vegetarian- I've been one for 19 years, due to ethical concerns and a general dislike of meat stemming from childhood. The thought of eating animal flesh really bothers me (not judging those who eat meat at all). If I had to eat it for health reasons, I would force myself to, but it's not something I'd like to do if I can avoid it at all. I myself am not allergic to nuts/peanuts, but one of my children is, quite severely, and we avoid having nuts in our house or even really eating them away from him if we can. I could do some nuts at work, but avoid nut butters b/c they're so sticky and difficult to fully wipe away (and said child is contact-reactive too, unfortunately).