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FODMAP Helper - Diet Companion app

An app to help users identify low and high FODMAP foods.

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FODMAP Helper - Diet Companion app	By Appstronaut Studios
	Features List of foods categorised as low or high FODMAP. Log for food and experience tracking (paid version). Analysis of experience with a food (paid version). Free version has limited features.
Country of origin	Canada
Clinical review	Free version: Paid version: Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? No Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free (basic); Upgrade - price varies from $3.59 for 1 month, $27.99 for 12 months to $72.99 for Lifetime Premium. Learn more about app charges
Advertisements	The free version contains ads but the paid version does not
How to get the app	(external link)

The FODMAP Helper app is divided into 3 main sections - search, analysis and challenge. Overall, there are very few features available in the free version.

Search: Includes an alphabetical list of foods indicating whether they are low or high FODMAP only (no amber rating). Users can search by food name or food category. The individual food page shows levels of Oligos, Lactose, Fructose and Polyols. There is the option to filter by categories, FODMAPs, High, Low and My Experience. More detailed information on each of the food items is available on Premium option (paid upgrade) only.
Analysis: Users can view analysis for their own experience by food category and FODMAP group and allows you to compare it with the community's experiences. Available on Premium option (paid upgrade) only.
Challenge: Provides details on how to re-introduce high FODMAP food after you've eliminated these from your diet. Available on Premium option (paid upgrade) only.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link) (android) or the app website and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
Free version: ✔ Search is easy to use — intuitive and simple. ✔ Appears to be regularly updated. Paid version: Price varies from $3.59 for 1 month, $27.99 for 12 months to $72.99 for Lifetime Premium. ✔ Log your personal experience for each food. ✔ No ads. ✔ Community experience. ✔ Analysis of personal experience compared to the community. ✔ Detailed information about challenging FODMAPs.	✘ Free version offers few features and limited use - access to more features requires paid upgrade. ✘ Very limited information about the low FODMAP diet and does not safely guide a user through the three stages of the low FODMAP diet. ✘ Limited breakdown for FODMAP content for differing quantities of foods – only showing low and high. ✘ FODMAP categories are not broken down by FODMAP subgroup – Oligos and Polyols are grouped together which limits information for the user. ✘ Does not provide serving sizes for FODMAP content, low medium and high. ✘ No apparent input from medical professionals. ✘ No journaling option. ✘ List of foods are mainly US based - does not recognize Aotearoa New Zealand names such as kumara but uses sweet potato instead. ✘ Does not state where the data has come from for FODMAP content of each food.

PROS

CONS

Free version:

✔ Search is easy to use — intuitive and simple.

✔ Appears to be regularly updated.

Paid version: Price varies from $3.59 for 1 month, $27.99 for 12 months to $72.99 for Lifetime Premium.

✔ Log your personal experience for each food.

✔ No ads.

✔ Community experience.

✔ Analysis of personal experience compared to the community.

✔ Detailed information about challenging FODMAPs.

✘ Free version offers few features and limited use - access to more features requires paid upgrade.

✘ Very limited information about the low FODMAP diet and does not safely guide a user through the three stages of the low FODMAP diet.

✘ Limited breakdown for FODMAP content for differing quantities of foods – only showing low and high.

✘ FODMAP categories are not broken down by FODMAP subgroup – Oligos and Polyols are grouped together which limits information for the user.

✘ Does not provide serving sizes for FODMAP content, low medium and high.

✘ No apparent input from medical professionals.

✘ No journaling option.

✘ List of foods are mainly US based - does not recognize Aotearoa New Zealand names such as kumara but uses sweet potato instead.

✘ Does not state where the data has come from for FODMAP content of each food.

Clinical review

Free version:

Paid version:

Reviewer: Nickie Hursthouse, Registered Dietitian
Version: 1.6.5
Platform: Android
Date of review: July 2024
Comments: There is a lack of detail around the specific FODMAP content in foods (and serving sizes) that risks misleading information about foods to avoid, potentially resulting in a user excluding foods from their diet they don’t need to. In addition, it doesn't distinguish between specific symptoms from foods and an experience of ‘good/bad’ is all that the user is able to report, rather that being able to record detailed symptom information that can be provided to a health professional to guide their treatment. The challenge section is lacking detail to provide information on what serving sizes should be used in the challenges. It appears the data source was last updated 6 years ago.
There are far more comprehensive apps such as the Monash FODMAP app that only has a one-time payment of $9.50 and provides a comprehensive food guide, food and symptom tracking and a comprehensive guide for managing each stage of the FODMAP diet.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.
Concerns: None.

FODMAPs – relieving IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | Mate tikotiko
Irritable bowel syndrome apps
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app

Common foods containing FODMAPS(external link) Healthy Live Media Ltd
Low FODMAP diet - user guide(external link) Monash University, Australia, 2012

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

FODMAP Helper - Diet Companion app