Hi Kelly. We cannot comment on the specific food in question. In all likelihood it should be fine but we are not privy to the recipe of the restaurant in question. I think you may have some misconceptions about certain ingredients. Vitamin A for example is not an ingredient that you can add into food but rather a micronutrient that is present in certain foods in varying quantities. Of course, vitamin A itself is not a problem but the foods that it may be within could be problematic. Best you consult with a dietitian/nutritionist in your area who can advise you further.

Hi Sick of It

Much of your symptoms are indicative of IBS. In fact a diagnosis of IBS can be made based on the fact that no other pathology has been detected. Even the infections should not distract from the fact that the underlying problem can be IBS. Remember that a diagnosis of IBS does not entirely mean that no doctor knows what is wrong and is just chalking it down to IBS. There may be a disruption in gastrointestinal motility which is not linked to any underlying disease – if it is faster than normal then it may give rise to diarrhea-predominant IBS while with slower than normal motility it may be constipation-predominant IBS. Certain foods, stress, depression and so on are known to exacerbate IBS. A FODMAP diet MAY therefore help but this is not a guarantee that it.

Gluten intolerance is a separate and specific condition than should be diagnosed with proper investigation. Until this has been conclusively established, there should be no assumptions about it being a factor in your case. I say case because it is unlikely that all your symptoms can be chalked down to a single disorder here.

Patients with chronic gastrointestinal problems often are not satisfied with a diagnosis of IBS. But it is debilitating condition which is present with no underlying detectable pathology. Until you tend to a few of the problems that you mentioned, there is no way to exclude IBS for sure – seek help for your anxiety/depression, ascertain the cause of painful periods (contrary to popular belief period pain is NOT the norm, there may be mild discomfort but actual pain indicates possible underlying pathology like PCOS) and weight control is essential. You may be surprised to find that many of your GI symptoms will resolve or your IBS will come under better control.

Nevertheless, you should have this investigated further. You need to see a gastroenterologist who can work with you in the long term. Conduct different tests to exclude other pathology that may have not been detected as yet. Elimination diets and a FODMAP diet won’t do any harm and is definitely worth a try. If you have not done so already, you should keep a food diary where you record the food you ate, symptoms, general state of wellbeing and so on on a daily basis. This is of huge benefit when assessing your case and verifying your history.

Hi Sick of It

Responses from the Health Hype team are not instantaneous. It may take anywhere between 3 to 7 days. Even responses from other users will only be live once it is screened and approved. If you need urgent assistance, you should speak to a health care professional. Alternatively you can click on Ask a Doctor Online link above (if active) and have an online chat with a doctor immediately (paid service). This comment/question-answer platform that you are using is a free service and only intended to guide readers but not serve as a medical consultation or means of diagnosing, prescribing or managing a condition.

If you are not eating enough calories while on a low Fodmap diet or are eating to many calories you can put on a lot of weight regardless if you are eating less food.

If you are not eating enough your body maybe going into starvation mode.
If you are eating to many calories even though you are eating a little then this may cause weight gain.
I have fructose malabsorption intolerance also and I notice when I am not being strict with my diet I put on a lot of weight.
If I watch what I eat and stick to my calorie controlled diet my dietian had set out for me, with regular exercise then I seem to be able to loose weight approx 3 kilos a week.
If I don’t stick to my Low Fodmap diet and don’t watch my calories then my weight can increase greatly.
It seems in Fodmap intolerant people our metabolisms do not work like normal and if exercise is not a large part of your recovery or health regime then we can suffer more.
I have suffered from this for the past year and find that weight control is something that will be part of this intolerance.

Hi Skip

This question has been answered on Health Hype Answers (link below)
http://answers.healthhype.com/rapid-weight-gain-after-fructose-malabsorption-diagnosis