Low-FODMAP Group Education Sessions
Session Information
These sessions are accessed by referral only. If you have been referred here by your GP, nurse, dietitian or specialist and you have received a text confirmation, please read on and book into one of our upcoming sessions. If you have stumbled across this page and you have IBS, you may be eligible to attend! Please discuss with your health professional about being referred to these sessions. Alternatively, check out HealthInfo Canterbury for further information here.
On the booking form below, you will see two different class options:
'INTRODUCTION' - book this class if you have not attended a class yet. This class teaches you about the low FODMAP diet and how to follow it for 4 weeks.
'REINTRODUCTION' - book this class if you have been to the first class and have noticed a significant improvement in your symptoms. This class teaches you how to reintroduce the foods you have eliminated the past 4 weeks.
Group sessions hold 8-12 people, so book in quick! Sessions are held in the evening. Please refer to the booking form below for dates and times.
Cost
$30 for the first session (Introduction), $20 for the second session (Reintroduction)
Payment Instructions
Village Health, 12-3191-0034927-00, use your last name and FODMAP as reference
Location
Village Health, 30 Lincoln Road, Spreydon, Christchurch OR online
Parking
Onsite
Class Format
Either in person or online via Zoom
*The two sessions are charged separately, and you must book each session separately. Please note this must be paid at the time of booking, and is non-refundable.
What are FODMAPs?
'FODMAPs' are short-chain carbohydrates or 'fermentable sugars' that are not easily absorbed by the small intestine. They pass into the large intestine where bacteria 'ferments' (breaks down) the carbohydrates and water is drawn into the gut. These factors can be the cause of IBS symptoms. Not everyone responds to FODMAP foods in the same way.
FODMAP stands for:
Fermentable - Fermentation is the process whereby carbohydrates are not digested in the small intestine, so they pass into the large intestine to be broken down by resident bacteria
Oligosaccharides - This includes Fructans (i.e. wheat, rye, onions and garlic), and Galacto-oligoscachrides (GOS) (i.e. legumes - baked beans, chickpeas, lentils)
Disaccharides - This is Lactose, which is the milk sugar (i.e. cow's milk, yoghurt, soft cheese)
Monosaccharides - This is Fructose, which is found naturally in some fruits (i.e. apples, pears, mangoes), honey, high fructose corn syrup
And
Polyols - This includes Sorbitol (i.e. apricots, boysenberries, chewing gum,
sweeteners) and Mannitol (i.e. mushrooms, cauliflower)
For more information about some of these FODMAPs, check out the information below.
The Low FODMAP diet for treatment of IBS
Village Health runs the Low FODMAP Group Education Sessions in Christchurch for adults with IBS. These sessions are run by our own dietitians here at Village Health. For more information about other Dietitian Services offered at Village Health, click here.
For Referrers - please refer via 'Dietitian Services for Adults' on ERMS. Annotate 'Low FODMAP Group Education'. For exclusions, see the 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome' pathway on Healthpathways.
What is the low FODMAP diet?
The low FODMAP diet is an eating plan that helps improve symptoms in three out of four people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is NOT a long term diet. We recommend the diet for 4 weeks to see if symptoms improve.
Symptoms that may improve on a low FODMAP diet include:
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Pain or discomfort in your stomach
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Bloating or swelling in your stomach
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Diarrhea
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Variable bowel habit alternating between diarrhea and constipation
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Too much wind
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section is designed for those that have attended the sessions and have a few questions. You may find your answer here, or it may provide you with knowledge you did not previously have! These FAQ's are not designed to be used in isolation from the group sessions.
Booking Information
Fill out the form below. Once we receive it we'll send you a confirmation email. Please check your JUNK email. If the session you've chosen reaches capacity before we process your booking, we will contact you.
This is the ONLY form you need to fill in. You do not need to fill out our practice enrolment form.
Please note that you must be referred to this service by your specialist or GP.