Though the most effective treatment for SIBO is through antibiotics, many people look to diet as a way to help manage their symptoms. There are a few diets often used for managing SIBO, but none are as effective as the Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan. This diet is designed to help reduce the amount of bacteria in the small intestine and then reintroduce healthy habits that promote the re-establishment of proper gut flora.
In this article, we discuss the basics of the Two Week SIBO Starter Plan and how it can help those with this condition.
What is the Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan?
The Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan is a diet that was created by Dr. Allison Siebecker and has been known to relieve symptoms of SIBO. It’s a diet that focuses on removing fermentable carbohydrates known as FODMAPs from the diet while also focusing on anti-inflammatory foods that are gentle on the digestive system. It’s an elimination diet that starts with a two-week elimination and then slowly reintroduces foods back into the diet over the next few weeks.
The premise behind this diet is that by removing the fermentable carbohydrates from the diet, it will help to reduce the amount of bacteria in the small intestine. Since the bacteria feed off these fermentable carbohydrates, reducing the amount in the diet will eventually starve off the bacteria. It also removes foods that are known to be inflammatory to the digestive system, allowing the digestive tract to heal and rebuild.
In addition to the removal of food from the diet, the diet also focuses on supplementing the diet with probiotics which help to repopulate healthy bacteria in the gut and act as a additional line of defense against bacterial overgrowth.
What Does the Two Week SIBO Starter Plan Include?
The plan begins with a two-week elimination phase. During this phase, foods that are known to be high in fermentable carbohydrates are eliminated from the diet. These foods include onions, garlic, high-fiber vegetables, and grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Foods that are high in sugar and added sugars such as honey, agave, and artificial sweeteners should also be avoided. Additionally, foods high in fat should also be eliminated as they can slow down the digestive process and further increase the risk of bacterial overgrowth. Alcohol should also be avoided as it can further disrupt the microbiota.
In addition to the elimination of certain foods, the diet also includes adding certain foods. Foods that are anti-inflammatory such as green leafy vegetables, low-fiber fruits, nuts, and seeds are encouraged as they can help to reduce inflammation in the gut. High quality proteins such as beef, poultry, eggs, and fish are also included. And lastly, probiotics and fermented foods are encouraged as they help to populate the gut with good bacteria.
After the two-week elimination phase, foods are slowly reintroduced to the diet over the following weeks. The return of these foods should be done gradually as it can help to monitor how the body reacts and what foods are tolerated.
How is the Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan Different from Other SIBO Diets?
The Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan is different from other SIBO diets in that it takes a more holistic approach to treating this condition. It focuses on removing fermentable carbohydrates from the diet rather than limiting caloric intake and focusing solely on loss of weight. Additionally, the inclusion of probiotics helps to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria while the elimination of certain foods helps to reduce the amount of bacteria in the small intestine.
Finally, the gradual reintroduction of foods helps to monitor what foods may be tolerated and what foods may aggravate symptoms. This helps to inform the individual on what foods may be beneficial to them and what foods should be avoided.
In Conclusion
The Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan is an effective diet for managing SIBO. It places focus on removing and limiting fermentable carbohydrates and adding in anti-inflammatory foods as well as probiotics. It is an elimination diet that starts with a two-week elimination phase and then gradually reintroduces foods back into the diet. With gradual reintroduction and continued use of probiotics, the Comprehensive SIBO Two Week Starter Plan can be used to help alleviate symptoms of SIBO and help manage this condition.
