Monash University FODMAP Diet App help

• A 'Food Guide' containing the largest database of FODMAP tested foods in the world, with regular free updates as new foods are tested. 
• Uses a simple traffic light system to classify foods low FODMAP (green), moderate FODMAP (amber) or high FODMAP (red). 
• A 'Recipe' book with over 80 recipes and meal ideas. 
• A 'Booklet' containing important information about IBS, FODMAPs and practical tips to help you follow a 3-step FODMAP diet. 
• A 'Diary' to help you record your food intake, IBS symptoms and reintroduce foods as part of your 3-step FODMAP diet. 

The app costs around AUD$12.99/USD$7.99 (depending on Apple or Android device and your currency) - it is a one-time cost and will be linked to your account indefinitely. There are no ongoing subscription fees.

Proceeds from the sale of the app contribute to testing foods to add to the app and further research in the area of FODMAPs and IBS.

Yes, the app is currently being used in over 100 different countries worldwide. The FODMAP information in the 'Food Guide' section of the app (with the exception of Monash University Low FODMAP Certified™ products) can be applied internationally. We’ve also tested a large range of foods specific to individual countries – in the app, these food are labelled with that country’s flag. You can also use the settings to choose whether you’d like information displayed in metric (grams) or imperial (ounces) measurements.

The newest version of the app requires iOS 17 or later.

The newest version of the app requires Android version 9 or later.

The app purchase is linked to the Apple or Google account that it is purchased with. If you have multiple devices that use the same account (for example, both an Apple iPhone and an iPad), then you can install it on your other devices through the app store.

Please check your 'Purchases' with your account on your compatible device using the same account.

The app is compatible with Apple Family Sharing and Google Play Family Library, meaning that you can share your app purchase with other devices you/your family own of the same type (i.e. iOS or Android). Please note: the iOS and Android versions of the app are unique, and purchases cannot be transferred/shared between an iOS and Android device or vice versa. The Monash FODMAP team have no control over Apple Family Sharing/Google Play Family Library sharing functions, and this service must be set up by the individual app user.

The app purchase is linked to the specific Apple or Google Play account used at the time of purchase. Because the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store are separate platforms, it is not possible to transfer your purchase from an Android device to an iOS device. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.

Our app does not involve any sort of subscription model, it is a one time payment only when you first download the app. Therefore, if you no longer wish to use the app anymore you can simply delete it from your phone with no ongoing charges. 

Sorry to hear you have not found the app worthwhile. If you have feedback regarding issues you faced with the app, we'd really appreciate hearing it them so we can improve the user experience.

If you have an iPhone/iPad you will have to request a refund through Apple.

If you are using Android (and your purchase is within the last 6 months), we can issue a refund for you. We will just need your order/transaction ID found on your receipt (this guide shows you where to find this)

The app is currently available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian and Japanese.

For iOS - You can change your app language through your phone settings. Here is a blog explaining how to change the app language. 

For Android - Head to the settings in the app (the cog icon in the top right corner of the home screen) and navigate to 'Langauges'

Monash University will not collect any personal information that you enter into the Monash University FODMAP Diet App, including your name or contact details.

Any information you enter in the app (including in your food diary), such as foods eaten and bowel symptoms, will be stored locally on your device for your personal use only and will not be collected by Monash.

We automatically push new data to the app, so there is no need to constantly update the app through the App Store/Google Play Store to get the most recent data. However, sometimes the app doesn't refresh quite right, and you may need to refresh your app by clearing the cache.

To do so, please go to 'Settings' on the home page (the cog in the top right-hand corner of the screen), scroll down and click on 'Clear Cache' - this will refresh your app (you will need an internet connection to download the new data).

The app does update automatically every 15 days, but occasionally we do release a major update which requires you to do this manually. If there are any manual updates available, please check in the App Store/Google Play Store under 'Updates'.

You can also manually 'refresh' your app to download any new data that becomes available ahead of the automatic update period. To do so, please go to 'Settings' on the home page (the cog in the top right-hand corner of the screen), scroll down and click on 'Clear Cache' - this will refresh your app (you will need an internet connection to download the new data).. 

The app needs internet access to see all the data. However, if you are going to be without access (e.g. on an aeroplane or overseas), you can switch ‘offline mode’ on in settings. Whilst still connected to the internet, open the 'Food Guide' and scroll down to the bottom of each category to load all foods. This saves the foods onto your device.

The information will then stay in the app for 60 days.

Please follow these steps in order to use offline mode within the Monash FODMAP Diet app:

1. Enable offline mode in settings whilst still connected to the internet
2. Go into the Food Guide
3. Tap into each food category and scroll to the bottom until all foods are loaded

This will download the listings onto your device, allowing it to be used offline.

Unfortunately, the app cannot be accessed through a laptop or computer. It is only available on Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. Some newer versions of Mac devices and Chromebooks may be able to host the app. Please check the app store on your device to check compatibility.

If you can't access the app, we would recommend purchasing our hard copy booklet instead.

The 'Start the Diet' button is a guide to inform you how to navigate through the 3 steps of the FODMAP Diet.

The 'Booklet' also provides great information on FODMAPs, IBS, the diet and other helpful hints.

The tutorials for using the app can be found by tapping the '?' icon in the top right of the home screen.

We’re constantly working with dietitians and food companies around the world to expand the range of international foods in the app. We independently test these products in our laboratory, and add their FODMAP information to the app. These updates are free of charge. You can see which country tested foods are from by looking out for the flag in the product information on the app.

As the app is being used in over 100 countries around the world, we are unable to name specific brands unless they are Monash University Low FODMAP Certified™.

Instead, we aim to include detailed descriptions of food ingredients where possible – giving you greater confidence to choose suitable products when shopping.

The serving sizes listed in the app are per meal, not per day. There is no definite rule regarding how long you should wait in between (as everyone's gut works at slightly different speeds), but we generally say that 2-3 hours should be sufficient. 

We have cooked weights for foods that are eaten cooked, i.e. rice, pasta. This is because individuals do not usually eat raw pasta or rice, and FODMAP content can be altered in the cooking process. In terms of fruit and vegetables, these will always be raw unless otherwise specified. This is because there are so many variations in cooking methods and processes that it would become confusing and impractical to list them all. Foods in the app should state which form they were measured in (e.g. “Bean, green, raw” or “Pasta, wheat, cooked”).

The use of "raw" in the names of the vegetables is related to the variability of the weight of serving sizes. The weight of foods can change during cooking due to the addition or loss of water, so testing them in their raw form is the most consistent way for us to test them. Cooking should not increase the FODMAP content; just be sure that no high FODMAP ingredients, like onion and garlic, are used in the cooking process.

Within our app, we have 2 sets of traffic lights - the single large one to the right of the food, and the range of smaller ones below the food.

The larger traffic light is used as an overall rating for the food, as this is based on the FODMAP content of a "standard serve" - this being the usual amount consumed or the recommended amount to consume from healthy eating guidelines.

The smaller traffic lights below the food give you other serve sizes that meet the remaining traffic light colours. This means that, whilst some foods may be low or high FODMAP in certain quantities, the FODMAP rating can change depending on whether you consume more or less of that food.

This allows people to not completely cut out foods they enjoy from their diet, but instead include just smaller, safer amounts. This is all further explained in our blog.

The order in which the weight measurements are displayed is related to whether or not the food is high or low in FODMAPs in a 'typical' serving size. Foods that are high (red) in a 'typical' amount will list the red serving size first, whereas foods that are low (green) in a 'typical' amount will list the low serving size first. This reflects the fact that some foods are usually low in FODMAPs but become high in larger amounts and that some foods are usually high in FODMAPs but become low when eaten in smaller amounts. Read more about our traffic light system in this blog.

We have a handy blog and video that help explain how the serve sizes and traffic lights within the Monash FODMAP App are determined.

There are currently a few different explanations surrounding the foods with only the green traffic light:

• Some foods can be consumed in quantities above what the green traffic light says - you can find out which these are by tapping into the listing and reading the statement below the traffic lights. An example of this is carrots, where it says, "This food remains low in FODMAPs in serving sizes of up to 500g"
• Some foods only have 1 green traffic light and no further serving size information within the statements - for example, "Herb, basil, fresh". This is usually because this food has older data from when the app was first released, and required some further testing in order to determine the larger serving sizes. We do apologise for the inconvenience at this time, and appreciate your patience whilst we work to do more testing on these older foods. In the meantime, during steps 1 and 2, we suggest sticking to the green serving sizes of these foods.
• Foods that are part of the Monash Low FODMAP Certification program only ever have the green traffic light serving size. This is because this program only reviews what the food companies deem as 1 serve of their products.

Yes, there is!

For iOS - the search bar should appear at the top of the Food Guide. If it is hidden, simple scroll down and it should re-appear.

For Android - please use the magnifying glass symbol in the top bar of the Food Guide.

Yes, you are able to make your own notes about foods listed in the ‘Food Guide’ section of the app – this is helpful if you have other non-FODMAP related food reactions that you want to note. To do this, simply select any food and use the ‘note’ icon to record a note.

You can change your filter settings by clicking the filter icon in the top right hand side of the screen in the ‘Food Guide’ section of the app.

Yes, the traffic light colours will change when the filters are activated and you specify your tolerance for each FODMAP type. Please refer to the ‘using the filters’ tutorial in the app for more information about how to use the filters.

It sounds as though the filters may have been activated. The food guide filters alter the traffic lights to reflect the FODMAPs chosen in the filters. To turn this off, tap the filter button in the top right of the Food Guide. Here, you will see a setting to toggle off the filter. This should reset the traffic lights back to normal.

Fructans are a tricky FODMAP as they are commonly found in so many foods. We break the fructan category down within the reintroduction option, as some people often find that they can deal with fructans in some food types and not others, which sounds like what has occurred in your case.

For the filter, it becomes a bit long and confusing if we were to add a fructan filter for each of the different food types seen in reintroduction. We would suggest doing one of the following two options:

1. If you find that you can tolerate most fructan-containing food types, then don't use the filter, but just note down which ones you cannot tolerate and continue to exclude those.
2. If you find that you cannot tolerate most fructan-containing food types, we suggest the opposite of the above. So turn on the filter and instead just note down which fructan-containing foods you can tolerate.

We do appreciate the potential inconvenience of this, but it can be difficult to provide enough individualised functions within the app whilst still being so general.

The country filter applies to all general food categories, but not to the “Low FODMAP Certified Foods” or “Low FODMAP Certified Meals” categories. The “Low FODMAP Certified ...” categories are simply a general list of all brands in the program.

In the other food categories, such as "Breads, Cereals, Rice, Pasta", only foods relevant to the country you've chosen will appear. Also, when you use the search function, you will only get results based on your country. As long as when you go into the country filter settings your preferred country is selected, it should filter the general food categories to foods available to you.

To find the certified foods only for a specific country, you can look in the Food Guide Country Categories. When you open the Food Guide, scroll past the food categories and find the list of countries. Here, you can go into your country's listing and find all the certified foods in that country.

We do not measure the gluten content of foods. The app is not a suitable tool for people with coeliac disease to manage gluten avoidance.  

Each food in the app contains nutrition information which includes fibre. You can get more information about how much fibre you require and the different fibre types from your dietitian.  

If you head to “Settings’ in the app (tap the cog icon on the top right of the home screen), we have a "Color Blind Assistance" setting under the 'Accessibility' heading, which alters the traffic lights to be symbols.

If a food is not in the Food Guide section of our app, this means that we are yet to test it for its FODMAP content.

Until this food is tested, we would suggest testing your own tolerance.

It’s important to check the detailed serving size information and FODMAP breakdown, rather than relying on the food’s overall traffic light rating alone. For some foods, serving size can make a significant difference to the FODMAP rating.  

The ‘Diary’ allows you to record your food intake, IBS symptoms, bowel habits and stress levels. The data you record can then be exported to show your health care professional. The 'Diary' is also particularly useful in Step 2 of the diet (reintroduction) as it provides suggestions about the type and quantity of food to reintroduce and allows you to monitor your symptoms. The data is time stamped, saved indefinitely and you can export the data in a time frame of your choice.  

Yes!

For Apple: Select the “share” symbol next to the “+” in the top right corner. Select the dates you want to include, then generate the report by pressing the “check/tick” icon. This will take you to the option share the diary how you please.

For Android: Select the “share” symbol next to the “+” in the top right corner. Select the dates you want to include, then generate the report by pressing “Preview”. To send this, select the “+” at the top right, which will take you to a print option. From here, press the drop-down arrow on the top right and select “Save as PDF”. This will save it to your phone's files. From here, you can open your emails and select them as an attachment from your device.

We have a handy blog that provides further detail and imagery on this process.

Within the 'Diary' function of the app, we have a 'Reintroducion' section which guides you on the FODMAP categories to reintroduce. This includes foods you can use in the trails, as well as the quantities to consume over each 3 day test.

You can learn more about this function in our blog.

We made the decision to only put a limited number of recipes on the app to make sure the app doesn't take up a huge amount of storage up on people's phones. If we were to add more recipes, the app would be a much bigger size and people with smaller phones or less storage space wouldn't be able to download the app. 

For this reason, we use our website for the majority of our recipes to make it accessible for everyone. Here is our recipe collection. 

For iOS devices - The recipes and shopping lists can be exported as PDF files for printing by clicking the ‘share’ icon.

For Android devices - we are working on rolling this out in future updates.

If you have an iPhone - Go to the App Store, press the account icon in the top right-hand corner and then go into 'Purchased'. A list should appear of all apps you've downloaded, and it should include the Monash FODMAP Diet app if you have already paid for it. From here, you can download it back to your device.

If you have an Android device - Go to the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then "Manage apps and devices" and then "Manage" - the FODMAP app should be listed. Tap on this, and you'll be able to install it from there. You may have to change the filter settings in the ‘Manage’ list from ‘This device’ to ‘Not installed’ if you cannot find it.

Food scanning operates on the basis of the food ingredients listed on the package. This approach, however, is not accurate for FODMAPs. FODMAP levels can vary greatly depending on how a food is processed, meaning it is not possible to accurately determine the FODMAP content based on a list of ingredients. Foods must be laboratory tested for total FODMAP content. This is why we developed the Monash University Low FODMAP food certification program. This program makes it easier for consumers with IBS to identify low FODMAP food products in the supermarket.   

Many factors were carefully considered before deciding on the final price of the app. Analysing foods for total FODMAP content is expensive. The full FODMAP analysis of a food is labour-intensive and takes about 2-4 weeks. Proceeds from the sale of the app contributes to expanding our list of foods and further research in the area of FODMAPs. Our app is also a one-off purchase and provides you with regular, free updates when newly tested foods are added. 

You may need to refresh your app and clear the cache. To do so, please go to 'Settings' on the home page (the cog in the top right-hand corner of the screen), scroll down and click on 'Clear Cache' - this will refresh your app (you will need an internet connection to download the new data).

We also recommend that you ensure both your phone's operating system and app software are updated to the latest versions.

If you cannot see all of the images in the app, your internet connection may not be strong enough. If you do have a poor internet connection, you can ensure that images load faster by decreasing the quality of the images displayed in the app - to do this, select the ‘settings’ icon in the top right corner of the app home screen and set the image quality slider to 'low'. 

The app may be running slower than usual if you have a lot of apps open in the background, if you have a poor internet connection, or if your phone has very low memory and performance capabilities.  

If you don't have access to a smartphone or tablet that is compatible with the Monash FODMAP app, we would recommend purchasing our hard copy booklet instead, which contains similar information to the app.

We do not include specific FODMAP quantities of each food, as tracking grams of FODMAP content is not necessary on the diet. We understand that the low FODMAP diet can be confusing and burdensome already, so our conservative FODMAP cut-offs used in the app take away the need to track specific FODMAP quantities (e.g. similar to tracking calorie/kilojoule intake).

FODMAP stacking is only something you might consider if you notice that a low FODMAP diet has improved most of your symptoms, but you still experience some symptoms even though you are only eating low FODMAP foods.