Be aware: this is only the goal of this diet, not necessarily its outcome. Results vary from person to person. Consult your doctor or dietician before starting this (or any other) diet.
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial overgrowth. The SIBO diet is aimed at people who suffer from this.
The diet is also called the SIBO elimination diet. The diet is a FODMAP restricted and low-carbohydrate diet as well as an elimination diet.
It is important to mention that the SIBO diet is still in development (research is still being done on the diet).
You can compare this diet with other diets on the homepage.
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If there is overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO) you can suffer from intestinal problems. The cause of such an overgrowth is not known, but suspects are intestinal infection, hypochlorhydria or having had an intestinal operation.
It is possible to test for SIBO with a breath test. Such a test is available in some hospitals.
The bowel symptoms of SIBO can be very similar to those associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The FODMAP diet, among others, has been devised for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
The idea behind the SIBO diet is that you starve the bacteria in the small intestine. Bacteria feed on certain products you eat. By eliminating these products from your diet, the number of bacteria in the small intestine should decrease. Hence, the SIBO diet is an elimination diet.
The diet consists of two phases: the elimination phase and the reintroduction phase. In the elimination phase you are not allowed to consume many different products. This is to ensure that the surplus of bacteria in the small intestine receives less nourishment.
The products you are not allowed to consume are those on the red list. Products which you should consume less of are on the orange or yellow list. Products that are allowed are on the green list.
The elimination phase usually lasts 2 to 6 weeks.
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During the reintroduction phase, you will reintroduce the products into your diet. You try to find out if there are any products that cause SIBO and if so, which ones.
You do this by using a schedule. For example, you try half a portion of the product on the first day. If you get any complaints you stop, but if you do not get any complaints you try a whole portion the next day and see if you get any complaints. On the third day, for example, you try an extra-large portion.
Note: If you want to follow this diet, you should do so with the guidance of a professional. Look for a dietician in your area, for example.
As mentioned earlier, the SIBO diet uses coloured lists. During the elimination phase you can eat anything from the green list. Products from the yellow list are limited to one product per meal. Products from the red and orange list should be avoided.
You cannot find exactly which products are on which list online. Possibly, this is because the diet is still in development. However, below we have found products that are allowed/not allowed with SIBO.
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In addition to all the products you may and may not eat, the SIBO diet usually recommends limiting your portion size per meal and waiting four hours between meals.
The SIBO diet is often combined with the use of antibiotics. Ask your doctor or dietician for more information.
The SIBO diet and its effects are still being studied. Consult your doctor or a dietician before starting this (or any) diet.
Joyce Bijl and Jacquiline Gerrits wrote the Dutch book 'SIBO'. In this book you can find more information about what SIBO exactly entails. No English translation of the book seems to be available.
The SIBO diet can be compared to other diets that focus on intestinal problems, such as the FODMAP diet, the Specific carbohydrates diet, the GAPS diet and the Clever guts diet.
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As you see fit
With the professional help of a dietitian it should be easier to reach your goals. Please contact a dietician in your area or talk to a doctor before starting any diet.
Please take note that most diets do not have a scientific basis.
Consult your doctor or dietician before starting a diet, especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease or kidney disease.
If you think you might have an eating disorder (like anorexia or bulimia), it is important to look for professional help. Contact your (house) doctor or find help elsewhere. Here you can find a list of several websites that can provide (online) help. These sites also provide information for people that know someone with an eating disorder.