Can you still have a drink with a Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth diagnosis?
The SIBO Specific Food Guide shares that the occasional alcoholic beverage (in a moderate amount) is approved with a low FODMAP diet. Their recommended choices include bourbon, gin, vodka, whiskey, scotch and wine. It’s important to choose your alcohol and mixers carefully. Choose juices that are low FODMAP including pure cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, or carbonated water. Ensure to stick within the approved amounts of juice and liquor to not off set your stomach (ie: 1/2 cup of orange juice over a two hour period.) Another handy tip is to have a well-balanced low FODMAP meal before drinking, such as a chicken breast over a bed of mixed greens with a side of buttered squash. Drinking water will also help slow down the drinking process.
Let’s talk about wine! The SCD Legal Wine Guide highly recommends dry wines. The wine list includes the following:
Dry Red Wines – Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah
Dry White Wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Brut, or Extra Brut Champagne
Another tip is to choose a wine with a 12.5% or less alcoholic content and only enjoying one regular sized glass 3-4x per week. Cheers!
