As a fitness professional, it is my goal to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, I like to lead by example & practice what I preach. With one living such a healty lifestyle,  you might assume that they are healthy, with no issues what so ever, right? WRONG! 

I recently discovered that the fruits and veggies I thought were good for me are actually hurting me. Who knew that my love for broccoli, beans, apples and brussel sprouts (yes even those) could make me so sick? I thought these types of foods were essential for living a healthy lifestyle. While for some people, this may be true but not for me. 

After an interesting discussion with my GI doctor, she handed me a paper which listed foods I should eliminate. Of course listed was the "normal" stuff like high fructose corn syrup , dairy, certain sweeteners etc ....all things I avoid anyway. But then in other catagories I noticed all of my yummy veggies, fruits and beans!! YIKES!

Seriously? I'm not getting it. Why in the world shouldn't I eat an apple ? It contains fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins & minerals.

I realized I had been consuming a high "FODMOPs" ( Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols ) diet. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that are found in foods. 

For more information regarding FODMAP, please check out these sources:

http://ibs.about.com/od/ibsfood/a/The-FODMAP-Diet.htm   

http://stanfordhospital.org/digestivehealth/nutrition/DH-Low-FODMAP-Diet-Handout.pdf