Breaths & Meals Graph - What are the green bars?

FODMAPs

If you’re someone who struggles with digestive issues, you’re likely familiar with the concept of FODMAPs.

FODMAPs are a group of fermentable carbohydrates that can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms if you have a sensitive digestive system or an intolerance.

In this article, we’ll discuss FODMAP stacking and explain how the green bars on your Breaths and Meals graph can help you to quickly gauge the level of FODMAPs in your logged meals.

What is FODMAP Stacking?

FODMAP stacking is a concept related to the dietary management of FODMAPs. It arises from eating multiple FODMAPs in your food that when combined together can exceed an individual's tolerance threshold and this can lead to symptoms. Those with digestive issues should be mindful that FODMAP stacking can even occur while following a low FODMAP diet. Multiple low FODMAP ingredients combined together can push someone over their threshold. In other words, it’s not just the FODMAP content of a single food that matters but how these foods may combine and become a problem when eaten together.

For example, a salad made with low FODMAP ingredients such as lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and chicken can quickly become a medium or high FODMAP meal if you add a portion of hummus, which on its own might have low or medium levels of FODMAPs. This emphasizes the importance of paying attention not only to the individual ingredients you're eating but also to portion sizes and combinations.

Breaths & Meals Graph - Green bars & FODMAP levels

When you log a meal within the FoodMarble app, the meal is displayed on the Breaths and Meals graph as a green bar. The height of the bar indicates the level of FODMAP content in a specific meal. The taller the bar, the more FODMAPs in the meal. Consulting the Breaths and Meals graph throughout the day can help you to keep track of your FODMAP intake as well as helping you to identify when FODMAP stacking may have occurred.

Updated on: 24/10/2023