Think Positively
Sometimes you just need to get creative! Diets can feel restrictive and boring and this can lead to a lack of desire or willpower to continue – or even to start!
I know that for me hitting bottom was being hospitalized with such immense gut centered pain that I knew I was willing to do anything to feel better.
That said, there are times when any of us can feel constrained and frustrated with all the dos and don’ts that go along with the low FODMAP diet.
The thing is, that the frustration comes from being stuck in a rut, not from the actual low FODMAP food recommendations – and that’s a good thing!
We are here to remind you and ourselves that there is actually a huge array of food from which we can choose and still adhere to the low FODMAP diet, which can provide us so much relief.
Creativity at the Market & In The Kitchen
I got two words for you – GET CREATIVE! Look at the images accompanying this article for instance. I eat Food for Life English Muffins all the time.
One morning I had some pomegranate seeds around and had run out of jam and I thought, what if…and you can see from the photo, that with a schmear of peanut butter, breakfast was ready!
It was really good, too. The muffin was hot and chewy; the peanut butter was smooth and melty and then the pomegranate was cool and sweet and crunchy. The point is that not only was it tasty, but it kept me interested and satisfied.
Just like in your pre-FODMAP life, sometimes you want something a little different. No need to hold back just because you are eating healthily for your body!
Or look at this image above. I happened to have a bunch of zucchini and carrot zoodles leftover from a gigantic stir-fry. There was a lime in the fridge and some cilantro.
Next thing you know I was inspired to make a cilantro lime salad dressing and tossed up those zoodles for an awesome lunch with some tofu alongside.
I make a roast chicken every week, basing it on our Orange Rosemary Roast Chicken. Sometimes I use a lemon and thyme, or add paprika or use whatever I have around.
In the image below you can see “baby” rainbow carrots roasting in the same pan. I had some in the fridge and decided that they would taste awesome cooked down in the chicken juices.
Not only would I have a veggie cooked at the same time as my main protein, but it was a way of using up those carrots; I had grown a bit tired of eating them raw that week. They got new life bathed in the chicken juices and savory spices.
And this last pic? This resulted from a Sunday-night-clean-out-the-fridge moment. There was leftover red cabbage, half a red pepper on its last legs, we always have carrots around and I had just picked some fresh chives from the garden.
There is always mayonnaise and we happened to have some lactose free sour cream. I whipped up a coleslaw dressing and had this colorful, crunchy and delicious salad along with some leftover Slow Cooker Pork. The chive flower (below) hasn’t been tested for FODMAPs and we didn’t eat it, but look how pretty it is!
If you are a salsa lover, check out our article that shows you just how versatile this condiment is. We have ideas you probably haven’t thought if! Salsa boring? NEVER!
More Boredom Busting Ideas
- Need help meal planning? All of our recipes are available through our Real Plans Meal Planner. Check it out.
- Have you been experiencing more and more “intolerances”? Did you know that there is a way to train your gut to accept more food (as long as it isn’t a true allergy?). Read our interview with Dr. B, the author of Fiber Fueled. He is an MD who has experienced gut issues himself and has a brilliant approach.
- Missing garlic flavor? Do you know about garlic chives and garlic scapes? We’ve got the lowdown!
- Are you just wondering what you CAN eat? we have an article, that gets to the point: What Can I Eat On The Low FODMAP Diet.
- Feel like you need a bit more education? Monash University has a patient course that will set you up right.
- Do you like incorporating convenience foods? Did you know that we develop recipes for Fody Foods? Read about what we think is a “marriage made in low FODMAP heaven”.
- When you are really stumped, it is helpful to know which foods contain NO FODMAPs and also which contain TRACE FODMAPs.
- Are you a young adult and dating? Confounded as to how to eat while socializing? We have the answers!
- Going camping? That’s a great way to beat boredom! And we have an entire article dedicated to helping you eat well, without IBS triggers!
- Travel in general can throw you through a loop, but our Success Team RD Vanessa Vargas has great tips for eating low FODMAP when on the road.
- And last but not least, don’t fall for any fads! RD Diana Reid takes through some popular ones, steering you in the right direction.
The Takeaway
The moral of the story is, stick with your low FODMAP diet, but don’t get stuck in a rut. Review the Monash app, if you haven’t in a while, and see all the food you CAN eat! And then get into the kitchen and fix yourself a snack.
