FODMAPs

Until a few days ago, I had never heard of this term: FODMAPs. It came up in a discussion with my doctor, who discussed the fact that gluten (that is, “Wheat belly”, could not necessarily be my problem. Tests have come back and I seem to be producing a reaction to all sorts of things, at a consistently higher level than is normal – gluten, lactose, some nuts, fruits, etc. Fruits? Now that’s weird.

So, the subject of FODMAPs came up. Food maps? No, Fodmaps! FODMAP is an acronym that stands for Fermentable (rapidly digested by bacteria in the intestines), Oligosaccharides (fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides), Disaccarides (lactose), Monosaccharides (fructose), And Polyols (sugar alchohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol). This is not a FAD diet! Studies have been done by Stanford, Virginia Medical School, and others on IBS and these certain irritants in the human digestive system. When I heard the term IBS, I rejected it. Summarily. I did not have the latest syndrome or problem. Nope. Never mind that the symptoms feel remarkably familiar. Never mind that getting rid of “gluten” seems to help but not completely. Never mind that I still have the gurgle-y stomach, a painful large intestine, and trouble actually fully digesting food (don’t gross out on me now…) Let’s be honest – I feel like I’ve been on this search for a long time – 4 years – I keep inching closer to the truth for me, and my body, whatever that is.

So, what does this mean? Apparently the recommended course of action is very “Whole30”-like. Give up these foods for four to six weeks, then do reintroduction, taking detailed notes of how the specifics affect you. Again, very Whole 30. So, it’s off to another Whole30 – this time with the FODMAP variation. What does this mean? Oh, some pain, some grumpiness – but perhaps I can finally be free of a painful gut, painful joints, sleepiness during the day, headaches, trouble sleeping, and just a struggle to wake in the morning – for mental and physical reasons. Maybe.

I’m going to look for the support but know I probably won’t have it easily. I have to find it in myself. Going to track all of this in the journal, maybe here – keep track of myself. Wish me well, in this journey.

–Kris

I learned something today…maybe.

I seem to be the type of person who struggles with learning lessons. I almost have to do something terrible twice before I actually get it. Usually, this something terrible is to me, but not always. This morning, it was a realization that it was to myself. Thank goodness.

Yet, what I learn has ramifications – to my family and friends. The ripples are maybe endless. Or maybe, they just extend for a really long distance. Either way, I think I should learn, not just for me but for my loved ones.

On vacation. Sun. Sand. Beach. Drinks. It’s a holiday, right? I can take a holiday from the way I normally eat, too, right?

Oh no no no.

Four days into my wheat-alcohol-sugar free for all, I feel awful. Couldn’t sleep, digestive upset, feeling just ugly, bloated, and bad, I woke up early to just plain stomach aches. I had thrown caution to the wind, cheese on my burger, and ice cream in a cup. It’s paradise? What could go wrong?

Yuck. Four days. That is it. What I perceive to be denial is just my body’s way of telling me what is good for me. After just coming off forty days of eating clean, I muck it up. Stupid girl.

But that’s just where I go wrong, and maybe you do, too. This isn’t about going wrong. I now know my limit. I have pushed the car to run out of gas so that next time, I know just had far the needle can go. I know how much is too much and what it makes me feel like. It’s also good for me to know that the pain isn’t immediate – I will pay later. Food is a body’s credit card – eat now, pay later. With added painful interest.

Eating well, and what my body wants, is not punishment. It is optimal pleasure. Eating poorly is not a reward for good eating. As I know now, it’s a very painful experience to let go.

Chaos eating really is chaos.