Your Gut Reset: How the FODMAP Diet Helps Beat Bloating, Gas, and IBS

The FODMAP diet is a scientifically proven approach designed to help people with digestive issues—especially those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic bloating or abdominal discomfort—identify foods that trigger their symptoms. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols, which are types of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut. When these carbohydrates reach the intestines, they can draw in water and produce gas through fermentation, leading to bloating, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation.

The diet works in two key phases: elimination and reintroduction. In the elimination phase, patients avoid high-FODMAP foods such as onions, garlic, wheat, dairy products with lactose, apples, pears, honey, beans, and certain artificial sweeteners. This phase typically lasts four to six weeks and allows symptoms to calm down. The reintroduction phase follows, during which foods are slowly added back one at a time to pinpoint specific triggers.

The FODMAP diet is not intended to be a lifelong restriction but rather a guided diagnostic tool that helps individuals understand which foods their digestive system tolerates best. Many patients report significant improvement in symptoms within just a few weeks of following the plan. However, because the diet is complex, it’s best done under the supervision of a GI specialist or registered dietitian experienced in digestive health.

People who may benefit most from the FODMAP diet include those with IBS, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), chronic bloating, or functional GI disorders. It can also be helpful for individuals with persistent abdominal discomfort that hasn’t improved with medication or other dietary changes. It’s important to remember that not everyone with digestive issues needs to follow a low-FODMAP diet, and professional guidance ensures nutritional balance and accurate food reintroduction.

At Dr. Jack Husney’s GI office in Brooklyn, patients receive personalized digestive care that includes dietary counseling and evidence-based guidance on managing symptoms through nutrition. Whether you’re struggling with IBS, bloating, or ongoing abdominal pain, understanding and implementing the FODMAP diet under expert supervision can help restore comfort and confidence in your daily life.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the FODMAP diet in New York City, contact Dr. Jack Husney’s GI practice today.