I'm extremely new to IBS. Suffered with all of the classic problems over the last couple of months, went to the Drs this week and was told I have IBS. Came as quite a shock
I'm now feeling quite lost - what can and can't I eat? Any advise would be welcomed!
Can I have:
Cereals?
Fruits?
Yogurts?
Spices?
Thank you in advance 
I wish we could tell you what is bothering you. But it's not so straightforward. Everything on your list will affect people differently. For me, some fruits and vegetables are my worst triggers, for the next person it will be gluten, dairy or even stress.
I'd recommend buying a cheap IBS ap for your phone and keep track of everything you eat and the symptoms you have. It helps to recognize a pattern and may help you identify what is bugging you. Folks also try elimination diets, cutting foods out of their systems for a few weeks then reintroducing them to see if they get a reaction. FODMAPS is a popular one that really helped me identify problems but it's crazy restrictive.
Without getting into any diets to identify things you could start with browsing the common triggers in FODMAPS, dairy, gluten, corn, etc and if you have a bad flare up see if it's on a list of problematic foods. It's an ongoing process.
Also watch out for additives and preservatives. Homemade meals you have the most control over. I find ready-made meals are very hard on my system.
Keep posting your questions. We're here for you.
Thank you @runswithdogs for your tips. It is really fully appreciated. I will search for an ap tomorrow.
I've read quite a bit about these FOODMAPS and it seems a little confusing at first glance. I'm just frustrated as I've never had problems like this before, it seems to have sprung from nowhere.
I agree with the first response in respect of the app. I downloaded one and used it as a food diary before going to see my GP so already had an idea about triggers. You don't say if you've done any research about IBS but if you read as many websites as you can find, usually you can start to build up a picture of what's good, and not so good, for you. I found that alcohol/tomatoes were a trigger for me and bananas/rice were something that helped. Everyone is different in what sets them off, and stress/anxiety is a massive trigger for me, too...so I'm trying to stay away from that lol. Hope you managed to stabilise your IBS soon.
I'm new to this too, only a couple of months. I was advised to cut out all veg apart from root veg. Not to eat fruit with pips and to peel them. I have done that and I am much better. I have managed to reintroduce some green veg, like runner beans, which seem fine. At least my plate looks more appetising!
I believe it all depends on your symptoms, mine was having very loose stools and very frequently! That is so much better now, except that I tried 6 slices of cucumber last Thursday at lunch time and it was out with avengence by 6.30pm!!
I agree with you it's all very confusing, I hope you get on well, lets hope we both find the trigger and are able to get on with our lives normally, like we used to!
Interesting on the peeling... A lot of pitted fruit bugs me but it's so tasty. I'll have to try this. I also tend to do well on root veggies, but found out last week beets can trigger a flare-up (high FODMAPS).
That is exactly what the doctor told me to avoid - which is so annoying as since January I have been on a mission to loose weight and I am currently at a loss of 2 and a half stone. My diet contained those foods most of the time.
What's annoying is that the Dr was extremely blasé about the whole situation - like it was no big deal. No test offered or talk of any allergy related issues.
IBS is what doctors seem to say when they honestly do not know what is wrong with the stomach.
The first thing, before all the diet considerations, is to have the medical checks that you have nothing seriously wrong (this will give you a lot of peace of mind). Next to check for gluten and lactose intolerance. Then you can start considering foods.
Clearly you should anyway eat well, ideally organic, avoiding junk food, sugar, white bread, fizzy drinks, preservatives and additives. Chew your food well, digestion starts in the mouth.
Wishing you all the very best.
It really depends on whether food is your trigger. For many of us it is not related to food but related to anxiety/stress or hormones. Before eliminating any foods try keeping a diary of what you eat and your symptoms to see if there is a connection, if you find certain foods troublesome then start eliminating those foods to see if it helps. For me it is related to anxiety and I tracked my stress levels and my symptoms. It doesn't matter what food I eat. I have been focusing on things to ease my stress such as hypnotherapy and reiki and reflexology. These have helped me tremendously and I would recommend people look at these treatments. Its a mistake to view IBS as a food related illness (most doctors will tell you the same), if you focus solely on food then you might actually miss the real trigger and not find relief. Tracking is the best way to start to figure out what triggers IBS in you. It is very individualised and you have to treat it that way. Good luck.
I agree with all the above but would recommend getting the Monash university app for Fodmaps. They developed the FODMAPS diet and are still continually updating it with current food testing. There is a lot of bad info on Internet so better to stick to them. App is about £6.50 .
They also categorise all tested foods into a traffic light system do just eat green marked foods initially to clear your system for at least 2-3 weeks (I did 6) then gradually add back foods by type.
You say you have been diagnosed with IBS but have you had all the various tests for other things through a gastroenterologist? If not insist these are done first before accepting you have IBS. Good luck
Hi, Sashapet hit the nail on the head, diet is all important but what triggers some wont bother others. I got a Fodmap book because apart from
anything else there is oodles of advice, what are the usual foods to avoid,
but these may not effect you. So eliminate them where possible and then
gradually re-introduce to see how they effect you. I find I can tolerate a
small amount of certain foods without a problem, but if I overdo it thats
when Im likely to suffer. Its a tedious business but definately worthwhile
to get your life back on track. I recently discovered that although onions
are usually a no no for me, if they are boiled first, I can tolerate them.
Lactose is usually a trigger for a lot of people and I find almond milk
a good alternative, for cereals etc, but I can tolerate ordinary semi-skimmed in my tea just a couple of cups a day. Try starting this way
and see how you go. Good luck.
Thank you this is all fantastic advice.
At the moment I'm so bloated and in so much pain I'm feeling almost as if it would be easier not to bother with food but I know that is not the correct way.
I do think stress/ anxiety could play a big part at the moment as everything I seem to eat triggers a reaction. I am going to begin with taking out lactose and bran. I've found a high and low FOODMAP list to try to follow.
The doctor hasn't offered and health or allergy tests, just prescribed anti-spasmodic tablets and said to return in a month - not the best of advise in my opinion!
Im unsure as to whether to mention this but I have just been prescribed
Amitriptyline which has made a huge dfference to me. It has calmed me
down enormously, unfortunately as with a lot of ibs sufferers our
emotions effect our digestive systems, If we are upset so are our stomachs and bowels. I take 10mg each night and do admit to feeling slightly groggy
in the morning but I do not find it to be a problem, as it quickly wears off as I get on with my day. Maybe something like this would help you if you
are struggling to cope at the moment. I do not think it is a long term solution.
Thank you @shirlygirl - I value your advice
I have read quite a lot of articles eat over the weekend and discovered that this method can be helpful to many.
At the moment I feel that this is not the root for me as I'm at the very beginning of my 'journey'. So I'm taking out bran, caffeine and cutting the amount of fruit I consume as of tomorrow. I'm also making time for myself each evening by continuing to run or complete other types of exersize - I've read that this is a good way to help with IBS and stress of course. X
Exercise is good. I run as well. Gentle yoga is good for the head and the gut - some of the stretches I do during flare-ups to ease the pain of bloating.
You must ask your GP for a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy as these tests will determine whether there is another reason for your symptoms - if there is no other cause then probably IBS will be diagnosed
There is a website called "Help for IBS". It's run by Heather Van Doross. ( sorry I might have the spelling of her name wrong. ) She has had IBS for over 20 years.; she has a wealth of information on her site. Also, look up Lo Food map diet.
I hope this helps. Take care
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