Low Fibre Diet?

[Echium]

Has anyone had success with a low fibre diet for bowel problems? It has been recommended to me but I have difficulty complying as I love fruit and veg so I wondered if there is any hard evidence to encourage me?

Thanks all

Kathy

[accidentalcarnivore]

Hello Kathy, i suffered from frequent small bowel obstructions which were happening weekly. When i removed all fibre (fruit, veg, grains, legumes) i have been able to stop the obstructions. However, i do suffer from chronic bile diarrhea perhaps as a result. Even a small amount of fibre can cause an obstruction. My diet is eggs, minimal dairy, meat, poultry, fish, seafood. I was previously a vegetarian before radiotherapy.

[Echium in reply to accidentalcarnivore]

Thanks so much. I haven’t suffered an obstruction so far just constant pain and frequency. An obstruction would definitely encourage me! I might also try stool softeners. I was also recommended Normacol to replace the fibre as it is possibly easier on the bowel. Don’t think I could bring myself to eat meat and fish after many years without them.

[Oonsy in reply to accidentalcarnivore]

I was previously a vegetarian before treatment too but had to change to eating meat again (still couldn't stomach red meat though!). I don't feel as guilty about it now after reading this!!

[Beau63 in reply to accidentalcarnivore]

Hi I’m struggling meal times you say you just eat eggs, meat, fish and seafood but what do you accompany with these ? I’m on a low fibre low residue diet to avoid obstruction. What’s your typical breakfast/ lunch / dinner?

[accidentalcarnivore in reply to Beau63]

I typically don't eat breakfast. I have coffee and cream. When i do eat late morning or early afternoon, i will eat protein as mentioned above. So 2 boiled eggs with a little butter, salt and pepper. or a chicken breast? then for supper I will eat the meat/poultry portion of the meal i cook for my husband. He eats keto so veg and protein. He might eat berries and cream for dessert but i don't. Sometimes i eat a couple of rice cakes with cheese on it for a snack. Some dark chocolat from time to time. I tried two cooked mushroom caps a few weeks ago and obstructed and then became very sick with SIBO. So I rarely even try any more to sneak in a slice of tomato or onion. I recently managed to get away with a few slices of avocado which was lovely. One favorite is a hamburger paddy (home made) with melted blue cheese on top and two strips of cooked bacon on top of that. Quite a taste treat but difficult on the BAM situation. Alot of fat.

[Beau63 in reply to accidentalcarnivore]

Thanks so much for that. So you have no fruit or vegetables at all and not many calories. I have lost a lot of weight through so many obstructions and getting SIBO I struggle to get the calories in and I often feel tired. Do you take any supplements? How do you maintain your weight?

[accidentalcarnivore in reply to Beau63]

Surprisingly I have gained weight. Everything I eat is very dense calories. I do take supplements. Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K2, milk thistle for liver health ,butyrate for gut health.

[Daisyc3cjs]

Hi, I think diet has a lot to do with our problems, certainly mine. I think I made another post about this a while back. I have been on the Fast 800 diet for about six months now. Initially I started this in an effort to shift some weight. However, a massive bonus for me is the difference it has made to my bowel problems, it's been amazing. I feel I have my life back now in that I no longer have to wait until after mid day to go out and worry about finding a loo ! Yes there are foods that I try to avoid that I know will affect me needing a loo, food such as onions, cream, bread, lactose. However, that's not to say I never eat these but if I do, I make sure I'm at home ! We are all different but I've found this works for me. I use two Fast 800 recipe books and I love the recipes so now it's no longer a diet for me just a different way of eating and it's healthy and yes I lost weight also. I do hope you find something that suits you and if you want any more info on this please do let me know x. I eat loads of veg and berries so it sounds like it may work for you...

[Echium in reply to Daisyc3cjs]

Thanks so much, I will look this up.Kathy

[Whittlestone]

Hi Kathy,

From a personal perspective, I am much better on a high fibre diet! However, along the way I did encounter a range of people who seemed to assume that a low fibre diet would be helpful. But it really depends on how each individual person reacts to certain food. I tried many approaches before coming to a point where I recognised what I can and can't eat.

Good luck and keep trying.

[Oonsy]

Hi Echium, I have been working with a (private) dietician since July last year as I had been suffering from chronic loose stools, severe pain, etc. I lost a lot of weight and couldn't keep anything 'in' for more than a few hours. Initially we started on a low FODMAP diet for a couple of months until things settled, in that time I went through several tests and scans and was diagnosed with severe bile acid malabsorption and pancreatic insufficiency for which I started medication (that's a whole other issue!!). Changing to the low FODMAP diet gave me so much relief, however it cannot be followed long term and so I have started to reintroduce foods again.

From what I have gathered regarding fibre, it's not so much the amount, but the type of fibre that I consume. that affects me I seem to work better with a relatively lower fibre diet (normally around the 20g mark per day), however beans, seeds, nuts or wholegrains don't go down well, whilst white bread, rice, etc is much easier on my system. I can't tolerate lactose any more, but this isn't an issue as there are so many alternatives. However fat is a massive trigger for me - I have to stick to a very low fat diet, otherwise I suffer badly from loose stools, pain, gas, bloating, tummy noises, etc.

I think the only way to work out what is best is to keep a symptom diary, record everything (I use myfitness pal as it's easy). It takes a lot of time and effort! And maybe keep an eye on the fat levels, it seems to be very poorly absorbed by a lot of people following treatment.

[Echium in reply to Oonsy]

Thank you, yes I will have to keep trying different diets. So far I can’t associate any particular foods with the problem and it all takes so long!Kathy

[Hillcrest1]

My diet is so so bad as the only food I like affects my bowels 😢Yup any help would be great

[Memagh]

Hi Kathy,I spent a long time suffering with the same symptoms you mentioned, before I realised I just couldn't eat the same things as before cancer treatment. As others have mentioned, my symptoms improved massively when I decided to try the low fodmap diet. I can't touch any onions, any cabbage, lettuce, sweetcorn, cucumbers, apples (in their skin), jacket potato (mash is fine), pears etc. etc. It is a very very long list. So many fruits are also out for me. I have started to re-introduce some foods with success. I can eat tons of spinach, soft carrots, green beans, and broccoli. I have raspberries every day on gluten free granola (I'm not gluten intolerant but this really agrees with my stomach). Most berries are good for me and I have no problems with strawberries and blueberries. I can eat oranges (although some people find these a problem) and bananas are fine. Things really did take a turn for the better when I changed my diet. I hope things settle for you soon.

x Maria