Our thoughts are profoundly connected to our feelings. When you are eating a low FODMAP diet there are foods that will make you feel terrible. You can choose not to eat them, but the way you frame that choice in your mind is important. Try this exercise as it relates to a high FODMAP food you don’t eat such as onions or garlic.

“I can’t have that.”

Imposing a rule such as this is more an appeal to authority than it is a personal decision to change. It will probably work for a little while, but ultimately, you will want to rebel against "the rule" and give in to have whatever it is you "can't" have.

"I don't want that"

Try “don’t” instead. "I don't want that" represents a personal choice. It says, this is who I am and I'm making a choice that empowers me to feel good. This choice-based model is likely to work over the long term because you are in charge. You are deciding to honor yourself with your personal decision. It’s not up to anyone but you.

Try it: “I can’t have that,” vs “I don’t want that.”

Which feels better?

When you think about this, you will come to understand it’s incredibly empowering. It allows you to step away from being the victim of some outside rule and confidently establish yourself as the driver of your own decisions. It’s energizing. It’s amazing. It will change your whole perspective.

But what about that French onion soup with cheesy bread topping? There is nothing strictly “off-limits” for you. It’s all about how you want to feel. We give you information to help you make decisions that align with your desire to feel good. Sometimes you may decide to eat something that makes you feel like crap, and that is fine. By eating something you know is high FODMAP, you are simply making a choice to enjoy that thing and accept the consequences. That choice is completely available to you and you should enjoy every bite of that thing that you want.

When you’re suffering the consequences, you’ll remember the joy you felt in every bite. Then next time you’re presented with that French onion soup or apple pie a la mode, you can decide if it’s worth it to do it again. It’s really up to you. It’s your choice. You’re in control of your body and your symptoms. Just take responsibility for that choice and don’t be the victim of invisible rules by saying “I can’t have that.” They are not your rules.