Does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of a swollen stomach. I was diagnosed with ibs yesterday so any tips are welcome.

[Dotblake]

[donnamk]

Hello!

I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago. I have changed my diet completely and now seeing really great results! I went to my GP and searched all over the internet which was some help but I think you really need to start your own little food diary to see what affects you. I have totally cut out carbs because I have found that the starch content makes me bloat like a whale! I have stopped eating things that contain Gluten, Wheat, Starch, Dairy, High Fibre and anything with a High fat content. It was a nightmare at first because I lived off fruit and veg but after looking in the supermarkets at the "Free From" section I am eating really well now and rarely hungry! The tasty things I buy all the time now are Gluten free Porridge, a milk substitue called Kara which is made from coconuts (takes nothing like cocunuts and just like milk!!) seeds, nuts and also dairy free chocolate (life saver) I have found a really nice carb alternative called Quinoa, its a grain that you boil in stock and you can eat it with anything really.....it has NO starch so I dont get bloated or crampy no matter what I eat with it. You can find some great recipes for it and its really versatile because you can cook savoury or sweet

The main key to success is to eat food in its whole form and try to buy as fresh as you can because pre made stuff contains all sorts of things that will upset your bowels.

I hope this helps a little, everyone is different but I am really seeing the difference now and I believe that complex carbs were my main catalyst for a bloated stomach so as hard as it is sometimes I would rather go without and feel well.

Good luck!!

[Hidden in reply to donnamk]

Must try quinoa again. Coconut milk ok. I like the tinned young coconut drink better than lemonade etc.,

[Dotblake]

Hello - thank you so much for replying to my question. Just having a response has made me feel better - well mentally anyway. I certainly dont feel so isolated as I did when I was first diagnosed. My GP thought I had kidney stones but after a scan and blood test every possible bowel condition was eliminated except ibs. I know I need to change my diet and I have started eating gluten/wheat free foods and I already drink soya milk most of the time. I eat a very low fat diet but maybe too much fibre. I must eat way way above the recommended 5 a day plus all bran every day so Ive never had a problem with constipation. I now know that there is insoluable and soluable fibre so I am going to eliminate the insoluable ones. Im having a blood test tomorrow to test for intolerances so I will be able to proceed with the diet changes after the results. Thank you again - an good luck to you and I hope your new found diet keeps working. Do you exercise regularly and if so do you find that helps

[Hidden in reply to Dotblake]

Hi, Never heard of blood tests for intollerances, could you please tell me about same.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hello! If you are looking for any recipe ideas to help with your diet changes why not take a look at our website - Or coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-... who have many healthy recipes and information on how to manage your diet.

[agonyalways]

Thanx loads gonna give it a go..Willing 2 try anything if it helps..