Hi everyone, I have read so many books and articles on ibs. And they all confuse me, one will say to eat this and then another article will say to eat the opposite. one will say that a certain food is "safe" to eat, another will say it's "a food to avoid". does anyone know what is going on with this? it is very frustrating to me. I literally stress myself sick trying to figure out what i should eat or not eat. and each article says the opposite of one another, i really don't know anymore what
to eat or not eat. can someone please help me with this? Thank you

Hi Bella,
I think it might matter which type of IBS you have although some of the same may be recommended for both types. I only know what works for me when I go through bouts of it. I would experience very severe cramping and diarrhea, sometimes almost immediately after eating which produced a huge amount of anxiety for me. I never knew if what I was going to eat would give me pain.

I find that I do MUCH better when I cut out carbonation (soda), anything with high fructose corn syrup, anything with a high fat content such as fried foods, cheese, red meat, full fat dairy. I also have trouble having more than one serving of high fiber vegetables at a time. Some types of veggies and fruits are much easier to digest such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples without skin. There are cookbooks available for people with IBS and Crohn's disease that have very good suggestions for easily digestible foods so that you don't need to live on Baked Lays and bananas like I did until I gained better control. Drinking plenty of water and exercise helps too. IBS sucks since it can leave you so exhausted but I think you can get better and lead a more normal life. Good luck! If you have any questions, please let me know. Take care.

Thank you Linda5711 and Sonja for your replies.
Did you guys keep food diaries? and where did you get your information or recipes from? Do you have a name of a book or website? Thank you and God bless you

Fiber Fiber Fiber

Try to eat as "real" as possible. Avoid processed foods at all costs. That stuff is laden with partcially hydrogenated crap, MSG, EDTA, BHT, BHA, animals fats, probably are GM foods (genetically modified) and FULL of herbicides, pesticides and stuff you really do not want to know about.

I have been eating ogranic, whole foods that are raw or lightly cooked and with all my health issues, I have been feeling better than I have ever. Dr. Joe Mercola has a new book out that may help you (just google his name, it should take you to his website). I have heard TOO many good things about his practice and success with his patients NOT to at lease TRY what he suggests! An open mind and willingness to try and make changes are all that are needed.

I hope you feel better soon!

Hi Bella,

I have suffered from IBS for about 25 years or more. The doctors told me I had to live with this condition they gave me medication, eat more fiber and reduce stress in my life. All this and I still had IBS symptoms loose bowels, diarrhea, gas, intestinal spasms, intestinal discomfort and feeling lousy all the time.

After several years I decided to go to a Nutritional Doctor at that time he recommended a bowel test (you do at home) my tests showed that I had a severe CANDIDA (overgrowth of yeast) problem. I had more bad bacteria than good bacteria in my intestines. I had a very bad imbalance in my colon that was causing me my symptoms. I had to go on a special diet, took probiotics, and I eat goat yogurt every day to increase the good bacteria.

I now can say that I don't have IBS anymore. I found out my real problem that was causing my symptoms.

Dona Dry

Hi!
I too take probiotics every day and I eat a lot of fiber but the problem with fiber is that you get a lot of gas and I can't say that I have diarea anymore but I have to go to the bathroom more times a day then before. I think that when you have or have had IBS you don't like to go do number 2, at all. At least I don't. I keep a bathroom diary and I usually go to the bathroom 1-3 times a day. If it's 3 times I usually feel a little disappointed, like I faild. Even if it's "normal", not diarea. How should I come to terms with this?
Thanks Didde

Hi Didde,

If you go to the bathroom three times a day that means that you have a healthy colon. Every time you eat a meal you should have a bowel movement. Most people have only one bowel movement a day or none at all. All that food is rotting in your intestines because it is stuck somewhere along the intestional track. That is why so many people have colon cancer and other digestive problems.

If you have a normal bowel movement and not dirrhea and a loose bowel you are fine. Keep up with the probiotics that is keeping the good bacteria in your intestines you don't want to end up with CANDIDA (overgrowth of yeast).

Dona Dry

Hi Dona Dry!
Thanks for your reply. I've come so far and I know that I'm very near recorvery but this is one thing that I just can't let go. I will be fine but I've devoloped an unhealthy thinking pattern, as we do soooo well. I'll keep breathing and talking positive to myself and this obsessive thought will go away to.
Didde