IBS and Diet

So I understand what foods I am supposed to stay away from... plenty of information on that. But my question is... what can I eat? As far as my symptoms, I am rarely on the constipation end of things. So adding fiber is not that answer to me. Can anyone offer suggestions? I really need to improve my diet, especially during the work week, so that I can reduce my symptoms. Thank you.

Hi, Pink!
I have regular bouts of IBS, but I really don't watch what I eat. For me, it has more to do with my mental/emotional state. Sometimes nothing I eat bothers me, while at other times, an attack can come on unexpectedly for seemingly no reason. So, I don't have much good advice for you...sorry. I do think it has more to do with the mind/body thing than with our digestive system, which is very sensitive and responsive to our stresses.
Patty

Adding oatmeal does a great deal for me even though I am never on the constipation end (ever). If I eat 2 packets of the instant oatmeal in the morning - it resolves most of the problem.
Other things that I have to do at the same time are - eat several times a day - smaller meals... the dietcian explained it to me - sorry can't really explain it back...
But it has to do with the "gut" response..

What she told me does work - if I follow it. The several small meals and the oatmeal...Another thing that also helps is to add calcium supplements - but only if consipation isn't a problem.. eliminating all artifical sweeters - including sugarfree gum.

I also agree that when I am really upset... nothing seems to work.. and the cramps can be unreal..

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seeker1950 said:
Sometimes nothing I eat bothers me, while at other times, an attack can come on unexpectedly for seemingly no reason.

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I too have IBS (10 years) and I agree here....... I feel that every one is a little different on what will or what will not upset their sensitive inner piping when they have IBS.

FOR "ME" - IT IS:

1. Chinese Food (which I love and eat often)

2. Fast Food - Deep Fried Foods

3. To many carbs at one setting

4. Strong Spices

Here are some good LINKS to read....

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/#what

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irr...ndrome/DS00106

I've had severe attacks...turning white, throwing up, severe cramps and diahrrea, for apparently to reason I can determing regarding diet. Sometimes rare steak causes it, and the last episode was due to overeating a taco meal at my sister's house. It mostly seems, however, to be due to my mental/emotional state.
Patty

oh man,,,look at the titles for the mens and womens forums,,, womens,, ibs and diets,,, mens,,PORN hahaha wow tis so stereotyped
tc all
sorry 4 the outburst
self

LOL that is pretty funny. We have some threads here I could bump to rival the Men's forum lol. And sometimes their current thread is less risque than ours. It ebbs and flows. I'm actually kinda curious about the porn thread myself.......

Back to the IBS topic, I've never been formally diagnosed with it, but I go through stages where especially eggs cooked over medium makes me run to the ladies room.....over the last couple of years it only happens every once and awhile, not nearly as often as it used to.

I like cheese.....a lot.....and I went through a period where it was way cheap to just eat quesadillas. Well......it was NOT pretty.....I don't know how to put it without being totally disgusting, but I'll just say the pipes were pretty backed up. My grandma told me to eat a bowl of fiber rich cereal every day so I did and it helped a ton. Now I just have to not overdo the cheese and things stay pretty regular. Everything in moderation I guess eh?

I do believe in the problems of IBS. But some of what I'm reading here is common with allergic reactions (only) and not IBS.

My sister just realized (from my discussion with her) that she could get allergy testing and desensitization for the MSG that causes her terrible problems.

My allergist said all things in moderation. Too much of anything is well, TOO much.

But that IBS... oh my ((((((hugs to all with it))))) Hope you find things that help you do and feel better.

here's a link that really helped me, and it meant I could also actually BUY things that would help me in my diet quest for conquering my IBS

www.helpforibs.com

the cookbook on eating for IBS is amazing - but I have still yet to find many recipes that I can actually make on a student budget of, hmm, no money!

The key things for me (as baaaaaaad bad things to eat) seem to be:
- Red meat
- Really high fat stuff
- caffine

and as far as life-savers go, peppermint tea is not so much a friend - it's more of a saviour in minty form!

hope any of that helps

I cannot help you with your diet, but there is a drug called NuLev that works wonders for me. The generic does not work but the name brand is a wonder drug.