Low FODMAP Vegan Recipes (Easy & Affordable) (2024)

FAQs

How do I eat low FODMAP on a budget? ›

SAVE MONEY ON MEAT

Meat-based meals can be bulked up with veggies, stretching them out further and cooking one vegetarian meal per week can save a few dollars. Choose a low FODMAP protein source such as quinoa, egg, tofu, canned lentils or canned chickpeas instead of meat!

Other examples of low-FODMAP vegan foods include plant-based milk, rice, buckwheat, edamame, black tea, black coffee, and cranberry juice, says Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN. But go easy on the caffeine, she advises.

To create a FODMAP safe, homemade hummus we need to use well-rinsed, canned chickpeas which have a low FODMAP serving size of ¼ cup or 42g. The easiest way to keep your portion low FODMAP is to use no more than 42g of chickpeas per serving and multiply this by how many portions you would like to make.

You may also be eating more starches and sugars from hyper-processed gluten free, low FODMAP packaged foods than usual, which may overwhelm the absorption capacity of a sensitive, hyper-active gut. If you suspect this, try eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds and see how you feel.

The low-FODMAP diet temporarily restricts these carbohydrates in order to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and give your digestive system a rest. Removing irritants gives your gut lining a chance to repair itself and can help restore a healthy balance of gut flora.

There is also concern that long-term restriction of high-FODMAP foods changes the makeup of bacterial colonies in the gut, which may negatively impact intestinal health and possibly worsen digestive issues over time. Oligosaccharides, in particular, are an important energy source for beneficial bacteria.

The main FODMAPs present in vegetables are fructans and mannitol. Vegetables particularly rich in fructans include artichoke, garlic, leek, onion and spring onion. Vegetables particularly rich in mannitol include mushrooms, cauliflower and snow peas.

Yes, instant coffee (both regular and decaf) is considered low FODMAP. Monash lists a low FODMAP serving as 4g or 1 heaped teaspoon mixed with 230ml water. Keep in mind that coffee can irritate the gut and stimulate gut motility, separate to the issue of FODMAPs.

Which high FODMAP foods are worst? ›

Peanut Butter is Low in FODMAPS

While almonds, cashews, and pistachios are fairly high in FODMAPs, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts are considered low FODMAP foods. This is because peanuts are technically part of the legume family, they're safe for a low FODMAP diet.

Sweet potato contains fructose, a type of FODMAP, but in small amounts. It's considered a low FODMAP food, but you should consider keeping your intake to 1/2 cup (75 grams) cooked. Comparatively, yam is lower in FODMAPs. You may be able to eat larger amounts of it on a low FODMAP diet.

Often a food will have low FODMAP, moderate FODMAP and high FODMAP serving sizes. That means even if a food is listed as low FODMAP, that doesn't always mean you can eat unlimited quantities without triggering symptoms.

Add protein sources at meal times and fill up on these first

Try to include a source of these low FODMAP proteins at meal times: Animal sources: Eggs, chicken, lamb, beef, fish, pork, turkey. Check that no added FODMAPs are introduced such as onion/garlic sauces used as flavourings.

Going it alone often means a very restrictive diet, but it doesn't have to be this way. Dietitians are trained to help translate the science into more practical ways to manage a dietary change. So under expert guidance, you can still enjoy many of the foods that usually make up your diet.