{
  "abstract": "While a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is the most evidence-based dietary therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), data on patient experiences with the low FODMAP diet (LFD) remains sparse. Even less information exists examining patients’ experiences with the re-introduction and personalization phases of LFD, especially in the community setting. This cross-sectional study surveyed 387 participants from the mailing list of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) about their experiences with LFD. Additionally, focus groups collected qualitative data about participants’ experiences with the LFD diet. Despite 70% of participants reporting perceived improvement of symptoms with FODMAP restriction, 70% of participants reported that LFD was either somewhat or extremely difficult to follow and 59% of participants reported continuing the restriction phase beyond 8 weeks. 41% of participants found the re-introduction phase somewhat or extremely difficult and two-thirds took >1 month to complete it. Only 30% and 25% of participants worked with a dietitian for restriction and re-introduction phases, with many receiving their information online or via app. Finally, over 80% of participants reported they would be interested in a simplified version of the LFD. While the LFD led to perceived symptom improvement in most IBS patients, it is associated with limitations, including its complexity and restrictiveness. Furthermore, food-related fear and anxiety, particularly during restriction and reintroduction phases, pose significant challenges. These findings underscore the practical limitations LFD has, and participants expressed a strong interest in a simpler, more convenient alternative.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Medicine, Huntington Health an Affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, Pasadena, CA, United States",
    "Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States",
    "International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Mount Pleasant, SC, United States",
    "Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States",
    "Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, United States"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jared Fehlman"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Westley Peng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Christian Pfenning"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Hayley McCorkle"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Judy W. Nee"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "William D. Chey"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Ceciel Rooker"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Sarah Ballou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Allen A. Lee"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Prashant Singh"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6q8p889kb09m3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300/full",
  "id": "6q8p889kb09m3",
  "issns": [
    "2813-1169"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "RC799-869"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2715|Gastrointestinal motility and disorders"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223291245",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/gastroenterology/articles/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300/pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13739530",
  "pmid": "42996403",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media S.A.",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6q8p889kb09m3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:43:11Z",
      "native_id": "2ff44655a91a42b5ac4cef936936a3f1",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fgstr.2026.1930300"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T15:20:34Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42996403",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42996403"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2715|Gastrointestinal motility and disorders",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Irritable bowel syndrome in the community: a cross-sectional study looking at patient experiences and challenges with the low FODMAP diet",
  "title_text": "Irritable bowel syndrome in the community: a cross-sectional study looking at patient experiences and challenges with the low FODMAP diet",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T15:20:34Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6q8p889kb09m3",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Gastroenterology",
  "versions": []
}