Are Hydrocolloids Low FODMAP? The Full Guide

Yes, Hydrocolloids in a typical serving size contain low levels of FODMAP.

Best Low FODMAP alternatives to Hydrocolloids for your diet

You can also substitute Hydrocolloids with agar, arrowroot flour and tapioca starch. These alternatives work well in most recipes and are easier on your stomach if you’re following a low FODMAP diet.

Are hydrocolloids good for people with IBS?

Yes, Hydrocolloids are OK for IBS when consumed in appropriate serving sizes. They are considered low FODMAP and are generally well-tolerated. For those managing IBS or SIBO during the elimination phase, it’s generally safe to include this ingredient in your meals within recommended portions. However, it’s important to avoid overconsumption, as larger servings may exceed Low FODMAP thresholds. Allow adequate time between meals to support digestive processing and maintain symptom relief.

Pro tip: Ingredients under 2% of a product or used for colouring are typically too minimal to trigger FODMAP reactions.

About Hydrocolloids

Vegetable gums, derived from plants, are commonly used in the food industry as thickening, stabilising, and emulsifying agents, and they are generally safe for consumption but may cause digestive issues in some individuals.

About Low FODMAP Diet

The Low FODMAP diet is designed to reduce the intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which can cause digestive discomfort. This diet typically follows three stages: elimination, gradual reintroduction of foods, and personalisation to help manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Faq

What is “Typical serving size”?

Typical serving size refers to the standard serving size of a food product, determined by factors such as official nutritional guidelines, packaging serving size recommendations, and healthy eating standards. For example, a typical serving size might include two slices of bread or half a cup of cooked vegetables. In the context of FODMAPs, Typical serving size provides a baseline for assessing a food's digestive impact and nutritional characteristics..

Are the weights in the article cooked or raw?

Values are usually given for raw product. Ingredient categories such as meat, cereals, rice, pasta have values in cooked form

How do I use portion sizes during the 3-step FODMAP diet?

During step 1 of the Low FODMAP diet, we recommend that you choose “Low FODMAP serving size” of foods limit“Moderate FODMAP serving size” and avoid “High FODMAP serving size” of foods. “High FODMAP serving size” and“Moderate FODMAP serving size” of foods are then slowly reintroduced, depending on your level of tolerance, in steps 2 (FODMAP reintroduction) and 3 (FODMAP personalisation) of the diet

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About the author

Emily Stewart, MPH, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Therapist licensed to treat clients in PA, NJ, FL, and TX. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master's of Public Health from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. After completing the RD program at Rutgers University, Emily worked as a Clinical Dietitian for both Penn at Princeton and RWJ University hospitals specializing in the treatment of Eating Disorders at the Inpatient, Partial and Intensive Outpatient levels of care.

January 28, 2025