Absolutely! As with the rest of a low FODMAP diet, tackling the personalised phase with the help of a dietitian gives you the best chance of success. The personalised phase is the most likely part of the diet to require individual fine-tuning. Using free online resources (is not recommended) and can only take you so far. It takes a trained, experienced professional to translate your results in a way that makes sense for you.
Just be aware that you may need to request or budget for additional support beyond your usual sessions.
Working with a dietitian, specifically in the personalised phase can help you to;
- Identify problem areas quicker and tackle them before they become an ongoing issue
- Ensure your longer-term nutritional needs are met
- Offer consistency in monitoring physical and mental health, in relation to a restricted diet, on an ongoing basis
- Help you to reintroduce a wider variety of foods as part of your regular diet
- Incorporate ongoing challenges into your diet in a natural and manageable way
- Interpret extended challenge results and make suggestions
- Pivot or change course of treatment as required
NHS dietitian considerations
In the U.K access to a trained dietitian through the NHS can be very limited with long waiting lists. Follow-up appointments are regularly delayed and there are simply not enough trained professionals to go around.
Because of this, the focus is very much on assigning appointments to get the most amount of patients through the more restrictive first two phases of the diet. This can mean that patients get left to work through the final phase of the diet alone. Availability does seem to change depending on where you live and the resources available in that immediate area.
In some areas, group dietitian appointments are also common in the earlier phases of the diet. However, these may not provide the individualised feedback that the personalised phase requires.
Once you're under the care of an NHS dietitian and have shown a commitment to working through the first two phases it's unlikely that they would not be willing or able to offer a follow-up appointment if you ask for it.
If it's within your budget you may be able to pay privately for additional sessions, specifically dedicated to the personalised phase. Many NHS dietitians also work privately so you may be able to continue seeing your usual dietitian beyond what's available on the NHS.
Private dietitian considerations
If you're paying privately to see a dietitian then you'll likely need to budget for the additional follow up appointment. Some dietitians work on an individual "as needed" appointment system. This is where you pay as you go for the number of sessions you need. Others offer a series or a set number of appointments, sometimes paid upfront at a discounted price. These can typically be assigned based on your progress through each of the phases. Flexibility is often a feature to allow for potential flare-ups, do-overs or areas of concern. However, your sessions may need to be completed within a specified time period.
Make sure you know which arrangement you're paying for and the cost of any additional follow up sessions. You may be able to organise a payment plan to spread the cost of your treatment or claim under a health insurance policy to help with the costs.
The systems and resources in place where you are may differ but it's always worth asking for additional help if you feel you need it and it's within your budget. There's no sense in stalling or reverting back to a restrictive mindset or out of control symptoms when you've already come this far.
All that being said, the personalised phase is really not as intimidating as it sounds. If you've worked through the elimination and reintroduction phases with a dietitian then you're already off to a good start. Many of the further tests and challenges should come quite naturally and at your own pace as part of regular life and eating habits. Staying mindful of what you're eating and noticing changes in symptoms is usually enough to help guide you and keep you on track.
Find a FODMAP trained dietitian
International Low FODMAP trained dietitians
International Monash FODMAP trained dietitians
*Please note these lists are not produced, checked or maintained by us and are provided here for informational purposes only. We are not personally endorsing or recommending these particular services or providers. Always do your own research, request references, check the credentials and associated costs of any health professional you intend to work with.
Did you continue working with your dietitian through your personalised phase?
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