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8 Low FODMAP Prebiotic Food Sources

Last updated on Jul 20th, 2018 Authored by Alana Scott     Reviewed by Joanna Baker (APD)

Are you wondering how to keep your gut bacteria happy while on the low FODMAP diet? Then prebiotics might be the answer! Many foods that are high in prebiotics are also high in FODMAPs – this is why the reintroduction phase of the low FODMAP diet is important. However, there are plenty of low FODMAP prebiotic foods you can enjoy.

Probiotics Vs Prebiotics

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms (bacteria) that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a heath benefit on the host” (1). These probiotics can include lactobacillis & bifidus found in yoghurt.

In contrast prebiotics are food for our good gut bacteria. Prebiotics are when the food itself provides nourishment for the bacteria in the gut and include specific types of fibre (2). The non-digestable carbohydrates (prebiotics) that are in the foods we eat, travel through our digestive system to our large intestine, where they are then fermented (eaten) by our gut bacteria. This fermentation can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating.

The low FODMAP diet restricts the intake of many high prebiotic foods (like garlic and onion) because it limits the consumption of fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), which are known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms (3). Over time these restrictions of high FODMAP prebiotic foods can cause our gut microbiome to change, and this is why you are encouraged to reintroduce high FODMAP foods. If you are in the elimination phase of the low FODMAP diet, it can be beneficial to seek out low FODMAP foods that contain prebiotics.

8 Low FODMAP Prebiotic Food Sources

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1. Buckwheat Groats / Kernels

Although buckwheat sounds like it belongs to the wheat family, it is actually a fruit seed grain related to rhubarb. It is classified as a cereal grain and it is low FODMAP in small serves. Buckwheat is also a whole grain and it contains prebiotic properties (4). If you are in the USA you can enjoy a ¾ cup serve of cooked buckwheat, if you are outside of the USA then test your tolerance to a ¼ cup serve (5).

Recipe idea: Try buckwheat porridge!

2. Rhubarb

Accredited practising dietitian, Joanna Baker, recommends rhubarb as it is high in fibre and contains prebiotics. Rhubarb is a tangy tasting vegetable, which is often mistakenly classified as a fruit! Just make sure you don’t eat rhubarb leaves as they are poisonous.

Recipe ideas: Create a strawberry and rhubarb crumble, or top your rice cakes with stewed rhubarb and raspberries.

3. Banana (unripe)

Another easy to access prebiotic food is banana (6). Bananas actually contain small amounts of inulin (which by itself is high FODMAP), however the amount of inulin is low enough to fall within the low FODMAP threshold providing the banana is unripe. Be mindful that ripe bananas are high FODMAP for fructans. Unripe bananas also make a great low FODMAP snack.

Recipe idea: Try making frozen banana bites for a tasty treat.

4. Common or Red Cabbage

Cabbage is known for being high in fibre but it is also beneficial for our gut bacteria as it contains prebiotics (7). Both common and red cabbage are low FODMAP in 3/4 of a cup serves and are a great way to meet your daily fibre needs. My favourite is purple cabbage (I love brightly coloured foods!).

Recipe ideas: Try shredding some cabbage into your next low FODMAP coleslaw, or roasting it with some olive oil.

5. Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit are an awesome low FODMAP food… they are high in fibre (2 kiwifruit a day is a great first line treatment for constipation), full of nutrients like vitamin C, K, E, potassium, and magnesium, and they are packed full of prebiotics (8 9 10). Kiwifruit also taste fantastic, making them an easy prebiotic to add into your everyday diet.

Recipe idea: Try adding 2 small kiwifruit to your low FODMAP muesli and top with lactose free yoghurt.

6. Fennel bulb

Not sure what fennel bulb is? It is a highly aromatic vegetable that has a slightly sweet, and a little bit spicy anise flavour. Fennel bulb is easy to cook with and according to Monash University it contains high levels of prebiotics (5). Just watch your serving size as it is low FODMAP at ½ cup serves, and then becomes high FODMAP at 1 cup serves (5).

Recipe idea: Shred fennel bulb into your salad, braise it in the oven with chicken or fish, or puree it into soup!

7. Canned lentils

Lentils are a fantastic source of dietary fibre, protein, and prebiotics (11 12). While on the low FODMAP diet, canned lentils contain the least amount of FODMAPs and can be safely enjoyed in ½ cup serves (5)

Recipe idea: Try mixing canned lentils into soups, stews, or ground beef (mince) based dishes to increase fibre and protein.

8. Small serves of high FODMAP foods

Sweet corn, snow peas, and savoy cabbage are all high FODMAP foods that contain prebiotics (11). Luckily for us, these high FODMAP foods also have safe low FODMAP serving sizes (5). This means you can include a small serve of these foods in your low FODMAP elimination phase diet.  Just remember to only have one safe serve of a high FODMAP food at a time.

Are you ready to take control of your gut symptoms?

YES I WANT TOO!

No thanks, my gut is perfect.

Recipe ideas: Try mixing sweet corn into carrot & corn fritters, or add a small serving of snow peas or savoy cabbage to your next stir-fry.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of low FODMAP foods that contain prebiotics, so make sure you eat a wide range of low FODMAP foods each day to keep your gut bacteria happy!

Author: Alana Scott

In 2013, Alana was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also suffers from coeliac disease, is allergic to nuts and is intolerant to dairy products. This means she understands how difficult it can be to cook with multiple food intolerances. Her exp... Read More

Professional Reviewer: Joanna Baker (APD)

Joanna is a foodie, an accredited practising dietitian and a registered nurse, who is passionate about digestive health. She now works exclusively in IBS and food intolerance in her Melbourne based private practice Everyday Nutrition. Joanna works alon... Read More

SHOW REFERENCES

1. Hill, CG., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibson, G., Merenstein, D., Pot, B., …Sanders M. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2014: Volume 11: Issue 8: p. 506-514. Doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24912386. Retrieved on: 2016-02-23. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6fWUfhA2w)

2. International Food Information Council Foundation. Functional Foods Fact Sheet: Probiotics and Prebiotics. Food Insight. 2016-07-10. Retrieved from:http://www.foodinsight.org/Functional_Foods_Fact_Sheet_Probiotics_and_Prebiotics. Retrieved on: 2014. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuSwrLQw)

3. Varney J. Prebiotics and probiotics: what are they and should I be including them on a low FODMAP diet?. Monash Low FODMAP Blog. 2016-01-03. Retrieved from:http://fodmapmonash.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/prebiotics-and-probiotics-what-are-they.html. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuT9ixzO)

4. Préstamo, G., Pedrazuela, A. Peñas, E., Lasunción, M.A., & Arroyo, G. Role of buckwheat diet on rats as prebiotic and healthy food. Nutrition Research. 2003: Volume 23: Issue 6: p. 803–814. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(03)00074-5 Retrieved from:http://www.nrjournal.com/article/S0271-5317(03)00074-5/abstract. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuTdMCMu)

5. Monash University App. Food Guide. The Monash University Low FODMAP Diet App. 2016: Version 1.6.1(305). Date retrieved: 2016-05-23. Retrieved from :http://www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/iphone-app.html. Accessed: 2016-05-23. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6Wog73c8B)

6. Marie, J. The Best Prebiotics to Eat. Livestrong. 2015-12-29. Retrieved from:http://www.livestrong.com/article/476744-the-best-prebiotics-to-eat/. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuX18yQ6)

7. Palken, J. Cabbage You Will Love. University of Massachusetts Medical School. 2016. Retrieved from:http://www.umassmed.edu/nutrition/ibd/ask-Nutritionist/cabbage-you-will-love/. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuUTO7b8)

8. Lee, Y. K., Low, K. Y., Siah, K., Drummond, L., & Gwee K. Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) changes intestinal microbial profile. Microbial Ecology In Health & Disease. 2012: Volume 23. DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v23i0.18572  Retrieved from:http://www.microbecolhealthdis.net/index.php/mehd/article/view/18572. Retireved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuV9fbBB)

9. Health Line. The 7 Best Things About Kiwis. Health Line. 2014-11-24. Retrieved from:http://www.healthline.com/health/7-best-things-about-kiwi. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuVNPOMg)

10. Cespedes, A. What Are the Benefits of Eating Kiwi Fruit?. Livestrong. 2013-10-13. Retrieved from:http://www.livestrong.com/article/346805-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-kiwi-fruit/. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuVdBHmm)

11. Monash University. Dietary Fibre and natural prebiotics for gut health: FAQs. Monash University. 2016. Retrieved from:http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/prebiotic/faq/. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuW1JWbN)

12. Nutrition.Data.Self. Nutrition Data Search: Lentils. Nurtition.Data.Self. 2016. Retrieved from:http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4338/2. Retrieved on: 2016-07-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6iuWYuIYm)

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You know what I miss? Berry Bliss Muesli. It's crunchy and delicious with little pops of strawberry... I'm making a coeliac friendly version of this very soon.

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Leave me a ❤️ if this is your sort of meal!It's lunch time here and I always find fritters are always a good option when I don't know what to eat.

These cheesy broccoli fritters are a favourite. What's not to love about tender pieces of broccoli and zucchini all packaged up in a cheesy batter and served with zesty lime aioli?

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Calling all pizza lovers! 🍕Who enjoys a sneaky slice of pizza? I know I do.

Did you know it's possible to make a range of different pizza options low FODMAP? 

You need to find a gluten free pizza base and create a base sauce using a dollop of tomato paste, a sprinkle of oregano, and a few grinds of black pepper. Then add your favourite low FODMAP veggies and plain cooked meat. You can even use a small serve of chorizo or salami.

Then top with mozzarella or cheddar cheese which are both low FODMAP options or mix it up and add a garlic oil infused mayo instead.

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Oh hello 2021... thank you for finally joining us! Congratulations to everyone who made it through the homeschooling, sourdough baking, and Zoom meetings with no pants on year that was 2020.

Normally I’d be bouncing around setting lofty New Year resolutions right about now... but I’ve kinda lost my mojo. So instead I’ve decided just to set a few simple intentions for the year:

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Christmas cake time! I’m actually not a big fan of Christmas Cake so I made a spiced carrot cake instead.

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