What should I eat when I’ve got SIBO?

This is a common question and there is no fixed answer. At the moment there are about 5 different SIBO diet choices that can be used to manage symptoms. FODMAP, SCD, SIBO Specific, Fast Track and the Bi-phasic. The diets themselves are not a treatment for SIBO as diet alone cannot get rid of SIBO. That is, of course, except for the elemental diet which is a special liquid diet followed for 2 to 3 weeks – it simply feeds you but starves the bacteria.

Choosing which diet you are going to follow depends on many factors. Can you do it? Are you getting the support from your practitioner that you need to be able to make the right diet and then food choices? The type of bacteria you have may prefer one type of carbohydrate than another which can make some diets more or less successful for you. The timings of your dietary choice are also important in the context of the SIBO plan. The current thinking is to be a little more relaxed during treatment and really strict afterwards – the length of time you need to be strict also varies depending on progress and symptoms even after treatment.. So frustrating though it is to not be able to say just do this diet for x amount of time careful consideration and reflection on symptoms and progress will all help a practitioner to be able to guide you to the right choice for you.