Diet for carbohydrate intolerance

Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and some fibres. Trouble digesting or absorbing particular carbohydrates can lead to gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhoea. The trigger may be a specific food, portion, or combination rather than every carbohydrate. Similar symptoms can also occur with other forms of food intolerance or digestive conditions, so symptoms alone cannot identify the cause.

Keep a food and symptom diary, recording ingredients, portions, timing, and bowel changes. Look for patterns with foods such as certain fruits, dairy products, sweeteners, legumes, or wheat-containing meals, but do not remove several food groups at once without advice. A clinician or dietitian can suggest a short, structured reduction followed by careful reintroduction. Read labels for added sugars and sugar alcohols, drink enough fluid, and replace restricted foods with nutritionally similar options. Nutrition counselling can help prevent low fibre, inadequate energy, or unnecessary restriction.

Arrange medical review for persistent or worsening symptoms, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, fever, night-time diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, or significant abdominal pain. Seek urgent help for severe pain, fainting, marked dehydration, or a swollen abdomen with inability to pass stool or gas. Testing may be appropriate when symptoms do not settle or when another digestive condition needs consideration.

Ask which foods to trial, how long to keep a reduction phase, how to reintroduce foods, and whether food intolerance testing is relevant. Ask for advice if you are pregnant, feeding a child, managing diabetes, or already avoiding many foods.