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Myth Busting: The FODMAP Diet Works for Everyone

author

Laura Tilt

published

21/07/2025

Does The Low FODMAP Diet Work For Everyone?

It’s true that a low FODMAP diet improves gut symptoms in many people with IBS, but it doesn't work for everyone. While powerful, the FODMAP diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix, and in this article, learn who a low FODMAP diet helps, who it doesn’t, and how to tailor the diet to your needs.

Myth Busting: The FODMAP Diet Works for Everyone

Research suggests that 20-40% of people with IBS won’t respond to a low FODMAP diet.  

There could be a few reasons why it didn't work for you: 

  • You might not have followed the diet correctly. 
  • Your symptoms might not be sensitive to FODMAPs 
  • Other factors besides diet could be causing your symptoms 

If you haven’t been working with a FODMAP trained dietitian, it’s worth chatting to one – they can help you understand if you have followed the diet correctly. They can also discuss other options with you.  

It’s also worth speaking to your doctor to check that other underlying causes of symptoms have been ruled out. Examples include coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.  

Exploring other options: 

If you don’t see an improvement in symptoms with a low FODMAP diet, it can be disappointing. But there are still other avenues to explore:   

  • See an IBS-specialist dietitian – they can help explore other dietary triggers like histamines, that can cause symptoms in a small number of people  
  • Speak to your doctor about accessing Gut-directed cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or Gut-directed hypnotherapy 
  • Trial peppermint oil capsules- they can help symptoms of tummy pain and bloating  
  • Consider trying a probiotic with strains shown to help with IBS symptoms.

By Laura Tilt

Registered Dietitian + Field Doctor Head of Science

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