Low FODMAP Diet

Platform and Price
$9.99 via Apple App store; planned Android release in 2013
 
RD Score
4 out of 5
 
Synopsis of the App
The Low FODMAP Diet app from Australia’s Monash University is designed to provide those following the diet with the daily tools and resources they need to make the best food choices to control symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
 
Pros

 

  • Boasts the largest FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo- Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols) database with over 350 low FODMAPs foods.
  • Comprehensive guide booklet provides background information on gut health and function and the FODMAPs diet in layman’s terms (albeit Australian English).
  • Encourages consulting an experienced dietitian throughout the app.
  • Uses an attractive, easy-to-use traffic light system to guide food choices.
  • Provides a shopping guide of over 350 low FODMAPs foods searchable by category.
  • Easily filter food suggestions by degrees of personal sensitivity to oligos, fructose, polyols and lactose.
  • Includes over 70 low-FODMAP recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
  • Provides low FODMAPs options for vegetarians — a group with unique challenges since beans are high in GOS and fructans and typically restricted on the plan.
  • Includes a one-week Low FODMAP challenge to track dietary intake and symptoms. The symptom journal uses a Likert scale from (“none at all” to “worst it has been”) for nausea, fatigue, gas, bloating, pain/discomfort and overall abdominal symptoms.
  • All proceeds from app sales go to funding FODMAPs research.

 

Cons

 

  • Crashed a few times while accessing the recipe section.
  • No apparent way to add ingredients to the shopping list from the recipes section.
  • Although booklet text is adjustable by size, the print in some of the figures cannot be enlarged making it difficult to read on the iPhone.
  • Some food suggestions may not be familiar to United States users. Examples include the condiment vegemite and a variety of produce like paw paw, rambutan, choku, witlof and swede.
  • Some terms may be unfamiliar including "joules," "porridge" and "biscuits" (for cookies and crackers).
  • Some recipe ingredients and servings are in grams and milliliters without an imperial equivalent

 

Bottom Line
With the minor language differences, Monash University’s Low FODMAPs Diet app is an exceptional resource for those suffering from IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders. This app is a keeper for registered dietitian nutritionists and consumers alike.

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Marisa Moore
Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is based in Atlanta and specializes in culinary nutrition, communications and consulting. She blogs at marisamoore.com. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.