I have IBS-C & the diet thing confuses me. The... - IBS Network

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I have IBS-C & the diet thing confuses me. There is the fodmap, gaps & scd diets. What is working for you?

surfjen profile image
18 Replies

I am so confused with what to eat and not to eat for IBS-C. The doctor told me to follow the low fodmap diet so I am but feeling kind of worse. It notes certain nuts and seeds ok so I was eating macademia nuts, walnuts and pine nuts and boy it feels like I just am having a hard time digesting them. I feel bloated in the lower abdomen area, belch a lot and it is painful when I press in that area. So I am definetly constipated which is aggravating the situation.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

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surfjen
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18 Replies
Huston profile image
Huston

Hi a gastro consultant told me that FODMAPS does what it says it does .However it also reduces the amount of fluid drawn to the gut and this coupled with slow motility that IBSCERS can also have, constipation can be made worse by this diet ,personally I would lay off the nuts . I did FODMAPS elimination which identified my triggers (onions ,tomatoes ) also use lactose free milk .cheese ,coconut yogurt and keep bread consumption to minimum as think I have a sensitivity to these.Also careful what and how much fruit I eat .all this and a daily maintenance dose of lactulose keeps my gut regular ,bloating and reflux to a minimum and early morning gut spasms cramps to a minimum also . Taken many months of trial and error but now have something that is ok for me . However this could all go haywire to morrow and we are all different ! Cheers and good health

Huston profile image
Huston

Hi a gastro consultant told me that FODMAPS does what it says it does .However it also reduces the amount of fluid drawn to the gut and this coupled with slow motility that IBSCERS can also have, constipation can be made worse by this diet ,personally I would lay off the nuts . I did FODMAPS elimination which identified my triggers (onions ,tomatoes ) also use lactose free milk .cheese ,coconut yogurt and keep bread consumption to minimum as think I have a sensitivity to these.Also careful what and how much fruit I eat .all this and a daily maintenance dose of lactulose keeps my gut regular ,bloating and reflux to a minimum and early morning gut spasms cramps to a minimum also . Taken many months of trial and error but now have something that is ok for me . However this could all go haywire to morrow and we are all different ! Cheers and good health

surfjen profile image
surfjen in reply to Huston

I am definetly going to stay off the nuts and see how I feel. I also tend to maybe eat too much at one time but in anycase I need to feel better so goodbye nuts.. this sucks can we ever re introduce foods we like ever or are we forever in food restricted JAIL :)

what is your opinion on gluten free breads vs grain free breads? You mention you are sensitive to it so thought I ask if you tried any of the above.

I am currently not eating fruit but think the legal fruit on the fodmap diet might help with the constipation...

Huston profile image
Huston in reply to surfjen

There is one that waitrose does which is ok but mainly I don't care for them .i have a slice of a seven seeds whole meal locally baked for breakfast with cornflakes for breakfast . I eat corn bread on occasion but mainly eat rice and corn crackers . Yes I only eat fruit from the FODMAPS ok list particularly raspberries .papaya and occasional orange .

Huston profile image
Huston

Hi a gastro consultant told me that FODMAPS does what it says it does .However it also reduces the amount of fluid drawn to the gut and this coupled with slow motility that IBSCERS can also have, constipation can be made worse by this diet ,personally I would lay off the nuts . I did FODMAPS elimination which identified my triggers (onions ,tomatoes ) also use lactose free milk .cheese ,coconut yogurt and keep bread consumption to minimum as think I have a sensitivity to these.Also careful what and how much fruit I eat .all this and a daily maintenance dose of lactulose keeps my gut regular ,bloating and reflux to a minimum and early morning gut spasms cramps to a minimum also . Taken many months of trial and error but now have something that is ok for me . However this could all go haywire to morrow and we are all different ! Cheers and good health

Lizzie461 profile image
Lizzie461

I can't eat nuts, popcorn, seeds or Romaine Lettuce. Still working my way through the Challenge phase of Fodmaps.

surfjen profile image
surfjen in reply to Lizzie461

My Gastro Dr told me to use the Standford FodMap Diet - HERE IS LINK BELOW

stanfordhealthcare.org/cont...

there might be different variations of this diet NO? YES?

Can you explain what is the strategy for the challenge phase?

Since I know nuts are not good for me right now I am now off them just hope at some point I can re introduce them again.

PatV profile image
PatV

I can't find any information on the phases. Can you told me your source? Also only familiar with FODMAPs. Research to do!

Lizzie461 profile image
Lizzie461

There are a lot of lists of Low Fodmats, all with slight variations. I'm going by the book, IBS Free at Last by Patsy Catsos. She also has a website with the same name. Hope it helps!

surfjen profile image
surfjen in reply to Lizzie461

cool I will check that out my doctor told me to use the follow fodmap

stanfordhealthcare.org/cont...

Have you also heard of the SCD or GAPS diet? Those are a lot more restrictive...think I will try the fodmap first..

Lizzie461 profile image
Lizzie461

No, I haven't heard of the other two.

woodgut8 profile image
woodgut8

Hi I am starting low fodmap also. Have been confused about my IBS C for ages but still hoping for some solution. In my experience I do think perhaps it sounds as though you might be eating too many nuts? I do find too much of anything ,even the things they say are OK like grapes, spell disaster. Small amounts daily seems best plus stop the things they suggest.

Good luck to both of us.

surfjen profile image
surfjen

I agree these diets are not a one size fits all.. thank you for explaining how to do the challenge phase... my symptoms are not completely gone so can't start it yet..

Question tho----if we eliminate foods one at a time that is causing our symptoms and become symptom free than why do we need to do the challenge?

senzomon profile image
senzomon

Dont eat what aggravates it. When you have ibs the body is in a very sensitive state. Notice anxiety, it is a very sensitive state, the senses become sensitive to its surroundings. So it is the same with the inside of the body, because you bowels are full, backed up, ,constipated. The body starts to also become more sensitive. So if you may not have had an allergy to a certain food & now you do it is because the intestine is now absorbing toxins from waste material. So you body now is super sensitive. Nuts have fiber yes but try something else if it is not agreeing. Apple cider vinegar is great to remove allergy in the body. Try 2 tblsp once a day 1 week then lower the dose to 1tblsp. Hope this helps. Good luck )

surfjen profile image
surfjen in reply to senzomon

I am totally noticing this sensitive state and the gut and mind are so interconnected. When my gut acts up so does my anxiety... SOOOO SUCKS...

I am definetly not eating what aggravates me and if something does than I will eliminate or lessen the amt. I notice even foods that don't necessarialy aggravate me but if I eat too much of it then is can.

I hear that if you have acid reflux which I may have but I don't take any anti acid for it the apple cider can make it worse (if you have too much acid) or make your tummy better (if you are not producing enough acid)

I think also what would help is trying to eat mostly or 100% organic foods. This way I be putting a lot less toxin stress on my body.

senzomon profile image
senzomon

Yes jen you are right! Apple cider vinegar (acv) can make you feel better or worse depending on your condition or current body state. So , if you have acid reflux I recommend acv. It may feel like your pouring down extra acid down your throat but it is not so, you must give it time to works. Take instead 1 teaspoon of it once a day & keep at that. Your body will respond naturally if you dont need acv. You will have bad stomach cramping & either diarrhea or very frequent loose stools. What is happening with acid refulx is the body becoming acidic. Acv helps to balance the ph in the body therefore, alkalizing it. Although acv will not make the body alkaline alone, you still must make those lifestyle changes to your diet and personal life stress management or other. Acv may make you go to the bathroom the first , 2nd or maybe even 3rd time (3rd day) . It is normal, it just means it is making a harmonic adjustment to the digestive system so a cleansing effect is taking place so as to re-adjust & rebalance. But very important at this point to not go back to bad habits again! XD let me know how its going

surfjen profile image
surfjen

oh I am eating good that is for sure..... I might just try a small dose every day and see how it goes..

question - how greatly has taking ACV helped you?

gcon profile image
gcon

Hey my naturopath recommended keeping to raw nuts and soaking them before eating. I'm not sure if it will help but you can give it a go rather than giving up on nuts altogether. thenourishinggourmet.com/20...

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