Welcome to Week 1 of your low FODMAP journey: Top Tips for Success

Welcome to your first week of low FODMAP eating! We hope you’re feeling confident and ready to get started with your low FODMAP trial.

By now you should have completed the preliminary reading and created your meal plan. If you included Field Doctor meals in your plan, they should have been delivered too. If not, please drop an email to hello@fielddoctor.co.uk and one of our team will help.

You should also have completed your baseline symptom assessment before you start eating a low FODMAP diet. If you haven't done this, click the first button under Week One and you'll be taken to the assessment.

And that's it! You're ready to get started. Here are our top tips to help you navigate your first week:  

1. Download a Copy of Our FODMAP Directory or the Monash FODMAP App on Your Phone:

Having an easy-to-access guide the FODMAP levels in foods is invaluable when you're on the go and need instant information. 

The more you familiarise yourself with which foods are high and low in FODMAPs, the easier it will be to stick with the diet.  

2. Focus on the Green Lists and What You ‘Can’ Eat:

It’s normal to look at the list of high FODMAP foods and get overwhelmed looking at what you need to avoid. If this resonates, turn your attention to the green ‘low FODMAP’ lists and focus on the foods you can have.

3. Use the Meal Planner:

Taking the time to plan your meals for the entire week can be a lifesaver. It reduces stress, makes food shopping easier and reduces the likelihood of veering off plan.  

4. Keep Low FODMAP Snacks Handy:

Having convenient, low FODMAP snacks at home and at work is a game-changer. Stock up on suitable options like rice cakes, peanut butter, hard cheeses, and low FODMAP fruits. This means you'll be less likely to reach for high FODMAP snacks when you’re hungry. If you need more ideas, check out this week's 'Snacking' article.

5. Have a Pantry Switch Out:

Stock your cupboards with FODMAP friendly staples like rice, oats, quinoa and low FODMAP condiments like soy sauce, garlic infused oil and peanut butter.

Having these ingredients available makes cooking easier, and ensures that you always have the foundation for a FODMAP-friendly meal.  For more ideas on creating FODMAP friendly meals, check out these top tips from Matt, our Development Chef.

6. Keep Meals Simple:

Ease yourself into a low FODMAP diet by beginning with simple meals that only need a few ingredients. Remember our top tip for a balanced meal – start with a grain, add a protein and then two different vegetables or a vegetable and some fruit. As you become more comfortable with the diet, you can explore adapting recipes you love.  

7. Be Patient with Yourself:

Transitioning to a low FODMAP diet takes time, and it's important to stay positive and patient with yourself. You don’t have to get it 100% right from day one – slip ups will happen and they won’t affect your long-term progress. You got this!