Stop resorting to restrictive diets to manage your gut symptoms. Here's why.

If bloating, gas, diarrhoea or overall pain and discomfort is something you face, it's tempting to jump straight into eliminating foods from your diet to get on top of your symptoms. Unfortunately this isn’t always the best idea! Before jumping into restrictive diets, it's important to consider the potential negative effects. Here are the top four reasons why you shouldn't restrict or eliminate foods to manage your gut symptoms.

1. Nutritional deficiencies

When cutting out entire food groups, you are likely to miss out on essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly. For instance, if you eliminate gluten-containing grains from your diet you may not get enough fibre, iron and B vitamins. Similarly, if you eliminate all sources of dairy, you may not get enough calcium. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including weak bones, anaemia, and a weakened immune system.

2. Reduced tolerance

Did you know restricting certain foods can reduce your tolerance for them? Say hello to even more gut symptoms in the long run! Avoiding certain foods for a long time can alter the gut microbiome and reduce the diversity of beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion. As a result, people who follow a low FODMAP diet, for instance, tend to experience an even greater sensitivity to FODMAPs over time. Similarly, eliminating foods long term can cause your body to stop producing the enzymes necessary to break down the food. For example, avoiding lactose-containing foods like dairy milk and yoghurt results in your body no longer making lactase, the enzyme which breaks down lactose.

3. Social isolation and disordered eating

Restricting or eliminating foods from your diet can lead to social isolation and disordered eating habits. It is difficult to socialise and eat out with friends and family when you have a restrictive diet, which can lead to feelings of exclusion and loneliness. In some cases, restrictive diets can also lead to disordered eating patterns.

4. Masking underlying medical conditions

Eliminating or restricting certain foods may temporarily relieve gut symptoms, but it may mask underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed. For example, people with inflammatory bowel disease may experience temporary relief from symptoms when following a low FODMAP diet, but this diet does not treat the underlying inflammation that is causing the symptoms. It's important to work with your doctor to properly diagnose and treat the cause of your symptoms and work with an Accredited Practising Dietitian before jumping into self-guided dietary changes alone.

While eliminating and restricting foods may feel like a quick fix for gut symptoms, the long-term health impacts and whether or not the food you are avoiding is even the true trigger must be considered. If you have been trying all sorts of elimination diets yet frustrated and discouraged by the lack of progress, our team is here to help. At The Lifestyle Dietitian we are passionate about helping you manage your symptoms whilst still enjoying a wide variety of delicious food. Book in with one of our Dietitians today.