The SSFG (SIBO specific food guide) is one of many diets for SIBO.

SIBO-Specific Food Guidelines (SSFG)

Do you suffer from bloating, abdominal pain, or IBS symptoms? SIBO could be the cause. Learn how the SIBO-specific dietary guidelines (SSFG) can specifically help relieve symptoms, with practical tips and food lists.

26. May 2025

SIBO therapy

SIBO-Diet: SIBO-Specific Food Guide (SSFG)

Content
1. What is SIBO?
1.1 Nutrition for SIBO
2. SIBO-Specific Food Guidelines (SSFG)
2.1 Implementation of the SSFG

1. What is SIBO?

SIBO stands for “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth”. It refers to an excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, a part of the digestive tract that normally contains very few microorganisms. In contrast to the colon, which is naturally heavily populated with bacteria, a microbial overgrowth in the small intestine can lead to various symptoms.
Symptoms of SIBO include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, belching, a feeling of fullness, and heartburn. These symptoms often resemble those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This lack of specificity makes a clear diagnosis often difficult.

1.1 Nutrition for SIBO

Diet plays a central role in the treatment of SIBO, as the bacterial overgrowth is significantly influenced by the food supply in the gut. Bacteria ferment fiber and carbohydrates from food to produce the energy essential for their survival. The components in food that bacteria particularly use as energy sources are called FODMAPs. FODMAP is a term grouping fermentable carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. FODMAPs are found in a wide variety of foods. Therefore, dietary changes can be used alongside medication to reduce symptoms in SIBO.

2. SIBO-Specific Food Guidelines (SSFG)

The SIBO-specific dietary guidelines (SSFG) were developed by Dr. Allison Siebecker. It combines the low-FODMAP and SCD diets, thus merging two already proven dietary concepts in the treatment of SIBO.
What makes the SSFG diet unique is that Dr. Siebecker classifies foods into four different categories based on their fermentability (1).

Foods in Group 1 are low in fermentability and are therefore fully allowed.
Foods in Groups 2 and 3 are allowed, but their quantity should be reduced.
Foods in Group 4 are highly fermentable and should be completely avoided.

Allowed foods include, for example, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes, pineapples, almonds, butter, eggs, and tea (1,2). A list of allowed and not-allowed foods can be found here (1).

2.1 Implementation of the SSFG

Implementing the SSFG requires patience, attention, and ideally, professional guidance. Since the SSFG diet is very restrictive, long-term independent adherence is not recommended. A doctor or nutritionist should ideally supervise the implementation of the diet to avoid deficiencies. Additionally, it is advisable to keep a food diary to identify any individual intolerances in advance. However, the SSFG diet is not a rigid concept but rather a dynamic guide that should be tailored to the individual (depending on the course of symptoms, gut condition, and previous diet).

References

PowerPoint Presentation (siboinfo.com); last checked 29.04.2025
Diet – SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (siboinfo.com); last checked 29.04.2025

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