Eating disorder - ibs C

[Rita90]

I was on a low FODMAP diet for a long time..and made sure that I stayed away from gluten, dairy, certain (most !) of the fruits and vegetables. But these days, due to heavily restricting myself for so long, I've developed an eating disorder where I finish 1/2 a gallon of ice cream in one setting or have wheat (not even whole wheat !) crackers and not just 4-5 but the whole pack of 15-20. Anyone who has been through this or can tell me how to deal with this sudden, anxiety ridden eating horror incidents would help a lot ! Hope to get back to eating healthy and clean again.

[asbayford]

Eating like that will throw you right back to where you first started and you'll have to start all over again! Try to eat more protein to keep you fuller for longer, handful of nuts/piece of fruit if your hungry between meals etc x

[Rita90 in reply to asbayford]

Thanks for the reply. Yes you're right more nuts and protein would keep in full. And I do have them quite often to balance my diet especially on a bad day. 🙂

[Positive_Poney]

Hello Rita!

I'm sorry to hear that you're having difficulties with managing your IBS and diet. I'm going through a similar situation, my "safe" diet is so bland(plain rice most of the day, only meat and safe vegetables after work/school is over) that sometimes I fall off the wagon and eat a whole bag of crisps or a Chinese meal (hello gluten and glutamate...)

Our diet is so restrictive that it's hard to stick to it. Especially if we are emotional eaters, if we eat because we're sad or frustrated or because we need comfort. And I think that staying away from all the food we use to like has created a sort of nostalgia for it and that reinforce the craving. I'd suggest addressing this two ways : first by dealing with the emotions that trigger the eating of "forbidden food" : plant supplements, therapy, mindfulness, etc. can help or just telling yourself, why am I eating this? What else could make me feel better?

And the second thing is to think of safety measures in case you do crack and crave ice cream for example : have non-dairy ice cream in your freezer (Vegan Magnum or Ben and Jerry's, or Tesco brand if you're in the UK or coconut ice cream sticks at Lidl ) and gluten free crackers. (Schärs' or oatcakes if you can tolerate oats)

I hope this can help you. I know it is difficult to deal with eating disorders and diet restrictions, and it feels isolating sometimes but you can and will manage! Relapses happen and it's ok, don't feel guilty, just try your best and be kind to yourself.

Good luck 😊

[Rita90 in reply to Positive_Poney]

Omg you're so right about being an emotional eater ! Sometimes I try to rationalize the reason behind "why am I craving for xyz so badly ?" and try to stay away from it especially when I know that eating it would have it's consequences. And sometimes I just don't care (again, like you said out of sheer frustration having followed a safe diet for so long). There are problem foods like things which contain gluten & whole grains (and I've massive sweet tooth so in ideal situation, would have had bakery items made with slightly cleaner and healthier ingredients), lentils etc which my body still reacts to pretty badly. But anyway I've realized it's okay to have these relapses as long as they serve the purpose..which is to make me happy so that I can get on with my usual diet. Thank you for the lovely response. Much appreciated.

[Positive_Poney in reply to Rita90]

Hello Rita!

How are you doing these days?

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy moving from my student room 😊

I'm glad my previous answer was useful for you

I think recognizing that it's ok to have relapses is helpful because trying to be perfect all the time will only make you more anxious and guilty when you do make a mistake. We're only humans after all ^^ I believe that lowering the anxiety about diet mistakes will actually help to make them less frequent and hopefully lower your cravings for "forbidden foods". Have you noticed if there's a certain pattern that cause the cravings? For example memories, emotions or being in a certain place?

Oh I'm sorry! Having a sweet tooth and trying to bake on a restrictive diet is so difficult! Do you sometime use only "safe" ingredients and the result still makes you sick?🙄

But maybe it's possible to find a way around it. Maybe trying very simple recipes first (less ingredients) and eventually you'll find something that works for you. And maybe there are some foods that make you sick only when you eat a certain amount or when combined with others (I think it's called fodmap stacking). It might be worth experimenting.

I wish you the very best of luck!

Be kind to yourself, things will eventually get better. And don't hesitate to ask for help!

😊

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi Rita, We recommend speaking to your GP. The low FODMAP diet should not be done without the supervision of a registered dietitian as foods need to be reintroduced, not just eliminated.

[Rita90 in reply to IBSNetwork]

Yes I've started to work my GP. Hopefully that'll help. Thank you for the reply.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network in reply to Rita90]

You're welcome. If you need any more help or advice please get in touch. We're here to help. theibsnetwork.org

[Ms1991]

Hi Rita - I feel like we’re living the same life!

I suffer from IBS C. To cut a long story short, 4yrs ago I went to my GP as my constipation had gotten worse. He basically told me about this FODMAP diet, gave me some leaflets and some sites to look at. Initially he said follow it for 3months, then another 3, then another few. Eventually after 1.5yrs on the Fodmap I told him I had enough. I was severely underweight and now terrified of every food.

He eventually referred me to a nutritionist, who referred me to another one! She was shocked at my Drs advice and asked my permission to refer me to an eating disorder specialist (lots of referrals here!).

For the past 2/3yrs I have been in and out of ED services (day programs , 2 NG tubings, an inpatient admission) I am still under their service and still underweight due to my stomach shrinking and constant IBS struggles . I can follow the fodmap as it will mean further restrictions. To this day my family and I wish I never went to the Dr that day.

All my weigh in appointments are in the morning and I get scared to go to the bathroom in case I lose anymore weight and be stuck in services forever! Sometimes I’m so terrified I just hold it in (and then suffer with harden stools).

i Completely empathise with you and wish you nothing but the best - we will both beat this.