Any success with the Keto Diet for IBS?

[LisaFearlessFoodChef]

In a bid to lose some weight and battle the bloating feeling I've been getting on a daily basis, I thought I'd give the Keto Diet a go.

I have previously completed the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet under the direction of a clinical dietician, so have identified my main trigger foods as being onion, garlic, cashew nuts. However, even though I have cut these out of my diet completely along with caffeine, I still get days where I am bloated and uncomfortable and continue to jump between a few days of IBSd and then IBSc.

I started the Keto diet on Monday, I'm just about halfway into ketosis (after peeing on a ketone indicator strip) and already I feel so much better in my belly! No bloating and very regular, normal stools.

I had a slight set back yesterday when I tried overnight oats made with hemp hearts for breakfast, resulting in really bad diarrhoea and gastric distress over a period of an hour and a half, (so know not to eat that in such large quantities again!) but apart from that I've felt pretty okay.

I've had a couple of headaches and feeling a bit low in energy, but those are the side effects of journeying into ketosis. Apparently, I should start feeling more energetic and have mental clarity once I fully enter ketosis. I'm drinking lot's of water, taking MCT oil in my smoothies and also supplementing with Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin D and Calcium. I've also introduced bone broth into my diet.

It's only been 5 days and I've already lost 4 pounds, which I'm aware will be mostly fluid rather than fat at this stage, but I thought I'd share my journey and ask if anyone else on here has tried the Keto Diet with any success. If, so, do you have any tips?

[Eternity78]

Sorry if i sound naive but what do you mean " to fully enter Ketosis " ??

and how do you manage to prepare a bone broth without any herbs like onions and garlic ..etc ??

[LisaFearlessFoodChef in reply to Eternity78]

When your body starts looking to fat as a fuel rather than sugar, it slowly transitions over. It could take a week or a couple of weeks to fully enter this stage. Here is a link that explains it a bit better than I can perfectketo.com/6-tips-to-g...

I searched online for a ready-made bone broth and found one that is low fodmap friendly, as well as being gluten-free and paleo friendly. Here's the link if you are interested amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07...

[Eternity78 in reply to LisaFearlessFoodChef]

Thank you so much ..The links are truly helpful and on time 👍

[Slt1971]

I too have intolerance to garlic and onion and lentils night mare as onion and onion powder is in everything, I’ve heard brilliant reports of the ketosis diet it similar to the FODMAP but I’m yet to try it, but from what I’ve read the symptoms that you are experiencing is the withdrawal of carbs and sugar and last up to 2/3 weeks and I’m sure there supplements you can have to help you through this x which book are you doing from I would love to give it a go as I too have ibs xx

[LisaFearlessFoodChef in reply to Slt1971]

To be honest, I haven't bought a book this time (very unlike me!) instead I've found a couple of blogs and websites with recipes that I've been working from. As with any diet, you need to reduce your calorie intake in order to lose weight. I used this Keto calculator ketodietapp.com/Blog/page/K... to work out what percentages of fat, protein and carbs I would need and then entered these macros into myfitnesspal, I have managed to keep on track and make sure I'm not eating too many carbs and that I'm consuming enough of the good fats.

The other sites I've been using are:

blog.kettleandfire.com/

ruled.me/ketogenic-diet-foo...

ketodietapp.com/Blog/page/S...

[ANB80]

Hi Lisa. Like you, I want to lose weight too but I find it extremely difficult as I have a variety of medical issues, including IBS, hypoglycemic, food intolerances (lactose & yeast), and stomach issues (over production of stomach acid). So it makes it extremely difficult for me to find any kind of suitable diet which can accommodate all of these issues. I already have to stay away from lactose, yeast, caffeine, citric acid, onions, fatty foods, and more.

From your experience of the Keto Diet, do you think it would be suitable? My initial thoughts are "no" as it seems to restrict glucose intake which would be a big problem as I am hypoglycemic.

[LisaFearlessFoodChef in reply to ANB80]

I would advise asking your GP for advice. It may be that the keto diet is not for you because of the low sugar/carbs restrictions. Try using this calculator to see what it suggests as your daily allowance for carbs to see if this is enough to keep you stable ketodietapp.com/Blog/page/K...

[ANB80 in reply to LisaFearlessFoodChef]

Thanks. I will take a look.

[Tack]

I’ve got a recipe book for the keto diet it is pretty good x

[LisaFearlessFoodChef in reply to Tack]

Ooo you've sparked my curiosity... what is the book?

[Tack in reply to LisaFearlessFoodChef]

It’s a recipe book which is all about the keto diet I will have a look for you, I bought it from eBay, x

[Hidden]

I read an article on IBS and IBSc relief with keto, so I gave it a go. Minus the withdrawal effects at the start, I initially had a surge of great relief. The first time in YEARS I had relief from bloating. It lasted for about two weeks, then slowly the bloat came back, then the constipation. I recently phased off the diet, but the article I read said you would know within a few weeks if this was a good diet option for IBS. If you've made it for a few months, maybe you're one of the lucky ones, the hardest part for me was keeping fats up and protein down. Good luck!

[LisaFearlessFoodChef in reply to Hidden]

I am quite careful about making sure I have enough fibre on a daily basis. I'm using flax seed/linseed in smoothies, I even put it in my cheese omelette today as I had a cooked breakfast instead of a smoothie. I'm going to try and stick with it as long as I feel okay. Obviously, if my symptoms return, then I will have to make some changes.

[Clumsy_Mrs]

Hi Lisafearlessfoodchef,

I also started a keto diet- 3 weeks in. i lost 6lbs in the 1st week and a half but haven't lost since. Also the same with my IBS symptoms, 1st week and half I notice a more regular BM but now, its more aless the same as before- always bloated after I eat. I'm going to stick it out a bit longer but I struggling with no bread- although found a lovely keto friendly bread recipe.

Are you a chef? (your name) I bet you have some great recipes.

I also have done FODMAP, but didn't find any triggers- but Milk makes me more bloated.

IBS so frustrating!

Clumsy