The low-FODMAP diet can work well to relieve IBS symptoms in children, just as it does in adults. Children do not always eat under your supervision, such as at friends’ parties, sleepovers, school, and activities like camp. This chapter provides child-specific tips for implementing the low-FODMAP diet to help guide you through these experiences with your child. An important point to note is that, to our knowledge, although at worst FODMAPs trigger IBS symptoms, they cause no physical damage to the bowels. This means that if your child eats FODMAPs when they’re away from you, it should not cause any lasting damage.
It’s important to work with your child’s needs. If your child is happy to have their own stash of favorite foods irrespective of what the other children are eating, that may be a simpler solution for you in almost every situation.
It is important to ensure that foods are not restricted from a child’s diet without a confirmed diagnosis of a food allergy or food intolerance, or other medical reason.
Food allergies and intolerances are common among school-age children, and many host parents will consider this when purchasing foods for their children’s parties. Nonetheless, it’s wise both to inform the host parent of your child’s dietary requirements and not to expect them to cater specifically to every child they invite. A good option is always to take the initiative yourself and make equivalent foods to send along with your child to the party, so they can eat your party food and not feel left out.
When speaking with the host parent, emphasize that your child’s issue is not an anaphylactic allergy. If they seem willing, you could ask for their help in ensuring your child eats only suitable foods. You could ask them what type of foods will be served (if they’ve decided yet!), and advise them which (if any) of these are suitable for your child. They may be interested in your suggestions of what types of foods could be offered, or may ask for brand names of suitable foods.
A completely different approach, given FODMAPs are not currently known to cause damage to the intestine, is to let your child eat what they like at the party. If there’s ever a time when you could allow your child to break their diet and eat foods that aren’t low-FODMAP, this could be it.
If your child is very symptomatic after eating high-FODMAP foods, explain to your child that they shouldn’t have a large amount of food they don’t usually eat, as it may make them ill or uncomfortable later. A completely different approach, given FODMAPs are not currently known to cause damage to the intestine, is to let your child eat what they like at the party. If there’s ever a time when you could allow your child to break their diet and eat foods that aren’t low-FODMAP, this could be it.
It’s probable that if your child is sleeping at someone else’s home, you or your child must already know them quite well. The host family may want to listen and learn about your child’s special dietary requirements and to accommodate them as much as possible. To help them do this, you should let them know some suitable dinner and breakfast options or, even better, you could send these along with your child (breakfast cereal in a ziplock bag, for example). You might like to pack some extra snacks in your child’s schoolbag so they have an after-school snack at the host’s home and, if necessary, lunch for the next day. If your child sleeps over at this friend’s house often, the hosts might be open to you leaving a whole package of cereal there, and some suitable snacks, too.
You may be able to relax the diet and allow your child to eat the normal menu while they’re away from home, but this isn’t an option if your child becomes very unwell with their IBS symptoms. In such instances, it’s important to train your child to choose appropriate foods. They should be able to manage quite well in this ideal opportunity to show their independence.
Although most school and activity organizers are experienced at handling special dietary requirements, the following preparations may make the experience more enjoyable for your child – and less of a worry for you.
If the organizers don’t already know of your child’s needs, be sure not only to document these on the information forms, but also to speak directly with the organizer to convey your child’s needs clearly. Make sure they have no questions and check if the staff will be able to ensure that your child’s needs are met – both in terms of having suitable foods and not feeling excluded at mealtimes.
You might like to check over the menu before your child’s departure, indicate to the organizers which meals are already suitable, and work on some reasonable alternatives for those that aren’t. You could also provide brand names for suitable snacks and other packaged foods. For meals on the menu that aren’t suitable, you might like to make equivalent foods and send them to the kitchen staff, so that your child can eat your matching food and not feel left out.
Remember that the organizers will have your contact number and will contact you if any problems arise or your child becomes ill. Do what you can to assist your child to maintain a low-FODMAP diet, but be realistic and remember that accidents may happen. Above all, make sure your child enjoys the time there!
Children are in the process of developing food likes, dislikes and eating behaviors. Food is central to so many important social interactions – at the family dinner table, in school, at parties. Food should be enjoyed and mealtimes should be enjoyable – this is important now, and also for your child to develop a good relationship with food in the future.
Sometimes children who’ve been unwell with IBS symptoms recognize that food is the trigger, and this can have a negative impact on their relationship with food. They may refuse to eat specific foods, or even meals. If your child needs to follow a low-FODMAP diet and they already have food fears, they may not want to eat even low-FODMAP foods. It can be hard to rationalize with a child and say, “These foods won’t make you feel sick,” when all they know is that food often makes them feel sick.
If you’re finding it a challenge to get your child to eat on the low-FODMAP diet, I recommend consulting a dietitian or feeding therapist who deals with children’s eating behaviors and/or food allergies and intolerances for some expert tips. Visit www.eatright.org/find-an-expert to find a registered dietitian.
“ I have a daughter, thirty-two, who has had problems with her digestion since she was small. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, x-rays … changed eating habits … supplements, vitamins, more books, more recipes, more disappointment and more despair. My daughter now has serious mental health issues as a result of years of not being able to go out to eat and loss of friends, having to cope with the effects of upset digestive system … the toilets are never close enough. NOTHING made much of a difference. A friend [a nutritionist and dietitian] put us onto your diet/eating plan … AMAZING! It has made such a difference. Now we have the reasons/explanations for what happens to her, and it’s easier for her to manage, too. I can’t tell you just how happy it’s made me. ”
