Low FODMAP Diet India Guide: What to Eat for IBS Relief

Published on: 23/May/2024
Posted By: Arka Health

Why So Many Indians Struggle with Bloating & IBS

Does your stomach feel tight, gassy, or heavy after eating?
Do you feel uncomfortable even when you haven’t eaten much?
This could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)—and it’s more common than you think, especially in India.

Spicy food, dal-heavy meals, and lots of wheat can trigger symptoms. That’s why the Low FODMAP Diet has helped many Indians feel better fast.

What Is a Low FODMAP Diet?

It’s a special eating plan designed to help people with IBS and bloating.
FODMAPs are certain types of carbs that are hard to digest and cause gas, water retention, and cramping in your gut.

The Low FODMAP Diet is not forever—it’s a short-term plan to:
✅ Find out which foods cause problems
✅ Give your gut time to heal
✅ Bring your digestion back to balance

How FODMAPs Cause Digestive Trouble

FODMAPs pull water into your gut and create gas as they ferment.
In people with IBS, this can cause:

  • Bloating

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Cramping

You’ll feel better by cutting them out for a few weeks—and then slowly adding them back to see which ones your body can handle.

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities (anhedonia).
  • Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, or worthlessness.
  • Irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
  • Changes in sleep patterns (difficulty sleeping or oversleeping).
  • Changes in appetite or unplanned weight fluctuations.
  • Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down.
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
  • Physical aches, pains, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause.
  • Thoughts of death or suicide. (If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for immediate help. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or seek local emergency services.)

It’s important to remember that depression doesn’t look the same for everyone; symptoms can vary based on age, gender, and individual circumstances. Some might experience more irritability than sadness, while others might notice physical symptoms more prominently.

Indian Foods You Can Eat on a Low FODMAP Diet

Yes, you can still enjoy delicious Indian food! Here are some safe choices:

Veggies:

  • Carrot

  • Lauki (bottle gourd)

  • Cucumber

  • Brinjal (eggplant)

  • Pumpkin

  • Spinach (small amounts)

Grains & Flours:

  • Rice (white or brown)

  • Ragi (nachni)

  • Jowar

  • Poha

  • Bajra (in moderation)

Proteins:

  • Eggs

  • Chicken

  • Paneer (small amount, lactose-free is best)

  • Moong dal (yellow, skinned)

  • Tofu

Fruits:

  • Banana (just-ripe)

  • Papaya

  • Pineapple

  • Orange (small)

  • Strawberry

Spices & Oils:

  • Hing (gluten-free)

  • Jeera

  • Mustard seeds

  • Ghee

  • Coconut oil

Indian Foods to Avoid (High FODMAP List) ❌

Avoid these during the elimination phase:

Veggies:

  • Onion

  • Garlic

  • Cauliflower

  • Bhindi (in large amounts)

  • Cabbage

Grains & Lentils:

  • Wheat (atta, maida)

  • Suji

  • Chole

  • Rajma

  • Urad dal

  • Masoor dal

Fruits:

  • Apple

  • Mango

  • Guava

  • Watermelon

  • Chikoo

Dairy:

  • Milk

  • Buttermilk

  • Ice cream

  • Cream-based dishes

Sample Low FODMAP Indian Meal Plan 🍽️

Breakfast:
Ragi dosa + coconut chutney (no onion) + papaya

Lunch:
White rice + moong dal + steamed bottle gourd + carrot salad

Snack:
Banana or peanuts + herbal tea

Dinner:
Jowar roti + eggplant curry + plain jeera rice

💡 Tip: Cook with ginger, cumin, and asafoetida for flavor without the gut irritation.

How to Follow the Diet Step-by-Step

Step 1: Remove all high FODMAP foods for 4–6 weeks
Step 2: Track your symptoms—see what improves
Step 3: Reintroduce one group at a time (onions, wheat, etc.)
Step 4: Create your own personalized food list

The goal? Find what YOUR gut tolerates—and avoid only those.

Tips to Make the Diet Work in Real Life

If you have:

  • Daily bloating after meals → Look at your gut

  • Bloating before your period → Check your hormones

  • Constipation and fatigue → Could be thyroid or both gut & hormone issues

  • Gas, acne, mood swings → Might be estrogen overload from slow digestion

Your body is smart. These symptoms are signals, not annoyances.

How to Start Feeling Better Today

  • Prep meals at home during the elimination phase

  • Ask restaurants to skip onions and garlic—yes, it’s possible!

  • Use infused oils (like garlic-flavored oil) for taste without triggers

  • Try gluten-free atta or ragi roti

  • Carry safe snacks like rice cakes, fruit, or roasted peanuts

Common Questions About Low FODMAP in India

Q: Is it okay for vegetarians?
Yes! Use moong dal, tofu, rice, veggies, and low FODMAP fruits.

Q: Will I lose weight?
Possibly. Many people lose water weight and bloat.

Q: How long should I do this?
4 to 6 weeks of elimination, followed by reintroduction.

Q: Can I eat paneer?
Yes—in small amounts, and choose lactose-free if possible.

Final Thoughts: IBS Relief Starts on Your Plate

You don’t have to live with bloating, discomfort, or bathroom worries.
The Low FODMAP Diet is a powerful tool to help your gut heal and your body feel better—and it works beautifully with Indian foods.

At Arka Health, we guide you step-by-step:

  • What to eat

  • What to avoid

  • How to bring balance to your gut naturally

👉 Want a personalized Low FODMAP Plan for Indian meals?
📞 [Book a Gut Health Consultation with Arka Health]

Conventional Approach At Arka, We Offer...
CBT and Medication Only
CBT plus Limbic System Retraining for self-regulation
Talk Therapy
Energy Healing to release stuck emotional patterns
Generic Pain Management
Somatic & Trauma Healing to release trauma held in body muscles causing chronic pain
Surface-Level Mindfulness
Mind-Body Connection practices with deep energy alignment
Standard Psychiatric Support
Holotropic Breathwork and USIRU for deep subconscious release
Treatment with medication alone
Ketamine Therapy integrated with trauma-informed care
Nervous system overlooked
Vagus Nerve Stimulation to activate innate calming and healing pathways

With convention therapies we also try to move a step ahead by including :

  • Ketamine Therapy: For treatment-resistant depression and trauma, guided by skilled clinicians in a supportive setting.

  • Limbic System Retraining: Helping you rewire the brain’s stress and fear responses for long-term calm and clarity.
  • Energy Healing: Addressing emotional and energetic blockages that traditional therapies may miss.

  • Vagus Nerve Activation: Supporting the nervous system’s natural recovery via non-invasive methods.

  • Trauma-Informed Somatic Work: Releasing physical tension where trauma is held — often resolving chronic pain and fatigue.

  • Holotropic Breathwork & USIRU: Deep, experiential techniques that allow inner transformation without words.

If you’re looking for depression treatment in Bangalore that goes beyond just prescriptions, our team at Arka Anugraha Hospital is here for you. We pride ourselves on being one of the leading holistic mental health centers in Bangalore, offering functional psychiatry services that incorporate nutrition, mind-body therapies, advanced treatments, and compassionate psychiatric care.

Our integrative approach is also suitable for patients across India – even if you’re not in Bangalore, we offer telehealth consultations and can guide you on lifestyle and nutrition remotely, and invite you to visit us for specialized treatments like TMS or ketamine if needed. This pan-India approach ensures that anyone seeking a more natural, well-rounded strategy for mental wellness can access our services.

At Arka Anugraha, treatment is a partnership. You’ll work closely with psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists as a team. We educate and empower you at every step – whether it’s understanding how gut health affects mood, or learning how to use breathwork to calm anxiety, you’ll gain knowledge and tools to manage your mental health for life. And importantly, we approach every patient with deep empathy and respect. We know depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can just “snap out of.” It’s a real condition that can happen to anyone – hardworking professionals, parents, students, you name it. Our mission is to provide hope and healing through an integrative lens, tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

You don’t have to walk through depression alone. Help is available, and recovery is absolutely possible – we see it every day. An integrative approach might be the key that finally unlocks the improvements you’ve been looking for. If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, consider reaching out to explore these holistic options.

Take the first step towards healing today – Book a Free Discovery Call with Arka Anugraha Hospital. Our team will be happy to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on a path to a brighter, healthier future.

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