IBS & food.: Hi everyone, I have suffered with... - IBS Network

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IBS & food.

Nick137 profile image
20 Replies

Hi everyone, I have suffered with IBS D&C for a few years and find it difficult to pin point any types of food that make it worse, tried keeping a food diary etc but the only food I did find that maybe made it worse was chocolate which I totally avoid now.

Out of interest what foods do you all find that makes your symptoms worse, are there any types of foods that should be totally avoided.

Thanks for your help.

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Nick137
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20 Replies
Hopkir profile image
Hopkir

Onions , garlic are my worst enemy's or thou I think sometimes my body just hates food in general !

I also find any diet drinks and some cordials make me bad !

Good luck ibs is terrible and everyday I wish I could just eat without thinking about if I'm going to need a loo !xxx

I would suggest you have a look at Monash University website regarding a food elimination programme FODMAPS. Many people on this site do this and have found it helps immensely. You can also download an app which has a traffic light system which makes it easy to follow and can be with all the time for checking up when shopping, eating out etc.

You could start by cutting out some of the things which seem to be a problem for a lot of people which are

Lactose, gluten, alcohol caffeine. Pulses legumes peas and beans. Onions and garlic. Fruit with stones plus apples and pears. All processed foods and try to cook from scratch do you know exactly what you are eating.

The FODMAPS programme cuts out all the above plus a lot more for about 6 weeks and then gradually adds things back in by type in a controlled way until you find out what is actually causing most of your problems.

Good luck

MaggieJemima profile image
MaggieJemima

Lentils

Chick peas

All pulses except peas

Old cooking oil,olive oil best

Raw veg and fruit

Seeds

Moluscs and crustaceans

Vallie profile image
Vallie

Any kind of processed food, pizza, pies. Onions, tomato based sauce out totally. Of course chocolate. I can take a tiny bit of cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts. Indian a n d Chinese takeaway are out too. Plenty of foods you can eat, but sometimes you want what you can't! Oh, and very sweet puddings can send me to the loo too!

Its stress related, not food related for me.

I would suggest that you eliminate food groups one at a time from your diet, like dairy or wheat, for at least 2/3 weeks and keep a food and bowel movement diary to see what changes/improvements there might be

nobiker profile image
nobiker

Hi Nick, as far as I can see it's a total minefield! I've been on the low FODMAP diet, strictly, for about 6 weeks. Cut out all wheat, pasta etc, onions, garlic, sauces, chocolate, alcohol, all stone fruits, apples pears, and any veg.s and veg Until last weekend I thought the d was sorted. Until Sunday evening! Have lost 2lbs since then and had to return home from yoga class last night.

I am, frankly, at my wits end and now getting depressed again. Having blood tests today but desperate to get this sorted. Good luck,

Very unhappy Nobiker

in reply to nobiker

Hi,

When i first did FODMAPs, things were very up and down for me until I twigged that rice, in any shape or form, was giving me as many probs as wheat barley and rye. Might be worth taking this out of your diet too as a trial.

Rosie

nobiker profile image
nobiker in reply to

Thanks Rosie, I do eat a lot of rice! I'll give it a try.

Many thanks, nobiker

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogs in reply to nobiker

Don't give up! I found many triggers during FODMAPS, but some slipped through and I'm finding them now. You could have a problem with something that's FODMAPS okay - for me corn. Corn starch, corn syrup etc. If you've been doing well until now, that's great.

nobiker profile image
nobiker in reply to runswithdogs

Hi Runs withdogs - I'm about to go out with mine as it happens.

Many thanks, for the FODMAPS tip -it's great to be encouraged! Perhaps we all expect everything to be instant and should learn to be a bit patient. It's just that it's not just the sufferer who is affected, and the effects on those around you can be distressing, causing more stress!

I think everyone knows what I mean.

Cheers, nobiker

BettyA profile image
BettyA in reply to nobiker

Nobiker, Have you tried the Paleo diet?? A lot of people do not like the fact that they have to cut out grains....but....if it works its worth it.... It DID work for me after about 2 wks or so... regular normal BMs.... Then I started cheating, so back to the problem... And that cheating was only a VERY small amt of like a half piece of bread...or once a sm slice of birthday cake.... So I would yo yo back and forth.

SO FAR... The Mirtazapine pills I'm taking still seem to keep me normal... I think I posted that Constipation is a common side effect of these pills..., however so far I have been able to handle that. The jury is still out! :)

nobiker profile image
nobiker in reply to BettyA

Thanks for that BettyA, I will have a look at the Paleo diet. I think I will stick with FODMAP for the time being, have also started a high strength probiotic and, touch wood, things have been far less painful since. Just a small d hiccup which now seems better. We have to be thankful for small mercies!

Have also noted Tirmezapine , thank you.

Nobiker

nobiker profile image
nobiker

That was supposed to say "many vegetables" there are still a lot you can eat.

Nobiker

hi

onions, mushroms,prawns and milk are all common ibs food no no's

gff

Nick137 profile image
Nick137

Thanks for all the replies everyone, seems onions and many other foods are a common food to avoid, I will have to look into this FODMAP diet. I have also just started on Symprove probiotics which has had promising reviews.

Once again, thank you for your advice.

in reply to Nick137

Just to add,Onions and garlic are a definite no no. But it's not always food,so from a long term chronic sufferer,get to the bottom of it. Pills are not the answer either. Just keep at it until you find the cause.

nobiker profile image
nobiker

I am just a beginner at this but I fear it's going to be a long rocky road! Have probably had latent ibs d for many years but it took a shortish period of acute anxiety to kick off this state of affairs. Thank you to everyone for advice and support. Nobiker

vinnybob profile image
vinnybob

Everyone is different but most common I hear is dairy and grains (esp wheat).. I think sugar and alcohol are regular complaints too. For me grains, legumes, seeds, coffee and sugar are problematic. Following a low fodmap diet has helped. Everyone is different though

vinnybob profile image
vinnybob

Oh yeah most def onions and garlic!! The worst

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