My husband has to go for tests but looks like IBS he's upset and scared does not know what to eat. He's vegetarian but loves his bread

[Paddy432]

Also loves cheese. Had a veg lasagne and symptoms were so bad

[keebarr66]

Could well be food intolerance. Maybe try cutting out wheat/gluten (I'm pasta and bread). Good luck x

[clarebear75]

Hi Paddy

Most things from the allium family aren't good for lots of IBSers.

He might be okay with chives or the green part from spring onions for a little onion flavouring. Asafoetida used sparingly is also a good spice for onion flavouring.

Put some whole cloves of garlic in a bottle of olive oil to infuse for garlic flavouring.

If he has IBS it'll definitely be worth checking out the FODMAP diet from Monash University. There is a phone app available for android and iphone and Sue Sheperd has some brilliant books on Amazon. If you google FODMAP be careful that you only look at reputable sites as there's so much conflicting info out there.

I'm sure part of IBS is to do with the different sugars in his diet and how they break down in his system. There are lots of fruit & veg that he can't eat or can only eat in reduced quantities.

Beans and pulses can be pretty bad as well so he might want to avoid five bean chilli or try out his tolerance levels.

Try lots of GF breads to see which he likes best but you will need to check for other ingredients like inulin, apple, pear and any sweeteners that end in ol e.g. Sorbitol etc. Personal choice I'd say Genius is a good one and sainsburys isn't to bad either.

Try GF pasta and you can get lasagne sheets also. Doves Farm is a good brand. Typically lots of GF food is expensive and over time he'll learn to know his trigger foods and will avoid them like the plague. Lots of IBSers cave & eat things they shouldn't but we're all human at the end of the day.

Hope this helps but if it is IBS then push the GP for a dietician appt as they can advise a lot better with the FODMAP diet.

I only know through suffering for so long with it.

There's lots of other symptoms that go with IBS so find out as much info as possible.

Best of luck to you both

Clare x

[denvajade]

I have a condition called S.O.D. where meat or cheese can cause an attack, look it up and see if it fits, especially if he has had his gallbladder out. cheers

[Hidden]

He must have all the rests available - a colonoscopy is not that bad and he will be given a sedative - I too was very worried but this test can also show up cancer, diverticulitis and Chrohns disease.

If he has diarrhorea as a symptom then dairy may be the answer. I too love cheese but have had to give up all dairy to control my symptoms.

My advice would be not to change anything until all the tests have been done as there could be a false result.

If IBS is diagnosed after the tests then a food diary should be kept and then foods eliminated one at a time to see if there is any change - all changes should be made for at least 1/2 weeks.

[PatV]

It does seem overwhelming, but little by little I'm learning what to avoid. SO not so bad. I'm on low FODMAPS plus massage and exercise, and talking to friends and Buddhist practice. Enjoy the day, in the meantime!

[dorban3]

radical changes in diet can cause flare-ups, beans could cause gas and pain. too much raw vegies could cause ab pain. sugar replacements of any sort can worsen symptoms.

what seems to help me is lower sugar intake - almost no sugar and adding raw garlic, onions and goat yogurt to the diet.

[P3nnyw1se]

I've been reading through all these posts, and you have all given me some ideas of how to control it. I've only very recently discovered that IBS could be the cause of my pain.