Packing a Lunch High in Fiber...

ladybosie
ladybosie Posts: 41 Member
in Food and Nutrition
My boyfriend has IBS, and he may be taking a job about an hour and a half away in a more urban area--y'know, a lot of easy food very close by, most of which will offer delivery services to offices. Generally, he just deals with the consequences rather than thinking about what he eats, and I want to help him by packing a lunch as well as getting some sort of supplements, I know he needs more fiber, unrefined carbs, leaner (less greasy) meats...
  1. What sorts of foods would you suggest that pack a lot of fiber, but fewer calories (he's also trying to lose weight)?
  2. Since he can't eat an insane amount of protein, because diets TOO high in protein irritate IBS, what sorts of foods would you suggest to help him stay full?
  3. Is getting him a probiotic a good idea? I myself take Schiff brand gummies.
  4. Is buying a fiber supplement, like Metamucil capsules, a good idea? I read the label, can he take two at one time (in the morning, he probably won't remember any other time) or just one?
  5. He's a bit of a picky eater, he doesn't like cheese (which is actually good in this case), many cured meats (also good in this case), and in terms of green veggies he really only LIKES broccoli, and he likes his veggies cooked (difficult). He likes raspberries at least, that's good, right? My point is, a LOT of suggestions would be nice in terms of foods.
  6. What are some good replacements for refined carbs? He's a sucker for carbs, carb rich foods are his go-to for stress eating, so finding something that isn't dried out, that doesn't taste bland, would be good.

In general advice to help me pack him lunches to steer him away from easy delivery, to lose weight and help with his IBS (30 minute bathroom breaks aren't fun for anyone...) would be MUCH appreciated.

Replies

  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited March 2016
    Would he eat Sunweet prunes? I don't know, but they used to come in these nifty individual wrappers.

    Whole grain has fiber - sandwiches or wraps. Avocado can be used as a spread (high fiber).

    Beans are high fiber. Does he have a way of reheating something? You could pack some chili or soup.

    A small bag of popcorn (instead of chips).
  • ladybosie
    ladybosie Posts: 41 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    Would he eat Sunweet prunes? I don't know, but they used to come in these nifty individual wrappers.

    Whole grain has fiber - sandwiches or wraps. Avocado can be used as a spread (high fiber).

    Beans are high fiber. Does he have a way of reheating something? You could pack some chili or soup.

    A small bag of popcorn (instead of chips).

    I'm not sure that he'd eat prunes, because that's one thing I've seen recommended for IBS. I know I'm gonna have to go whole grain, I think he'd like some chicken & avocado type wraps. Beans, unfortunately, cause gas buildup and agitate IBS, and since most chilis have a tomato base, the acidity can cause heartburn. I honestly think the IBS is more difficult to work around than fiber or calories.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    First he needs to find new ways of cooking foods. I don't always care for veggies, but roasted veggies are delicious.
    Second, beans, lentils, and whole grains (barley, steel cut oats, quinoa etc) are his friend. I eat a lot of those when I cut refined carbs. Is whole grain pasta ok with IBS? That would work too.

    Surely he has a microwave at work? Then he can just have whatever he typically eats for dinner... I don't get this whole 'lunch food' thing.
  • ladybosie
    ladybosie Posts: 41 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    First he needs to find new ways of cooking foods. I don't always care for veggies, but roasted veggies are delicious.
    Second, beans, lentils, and whole grains (barley, steel cut oats, quinoa etc) are his friend. I eat a lot of those when I cut refined carbs. Is whole grain pasta ok with IBS? That would work too.

    Surely he has a microwave at work? Then he can just have whatever he typically eats for dinner... I don't get this whole 'lunch food' thing.

    Foods high in acidity, high in fat, high in refined carbs, or that cause gas, irritate IBS, either leading to long bathroom breaks or awful heartburn. The acidity can be an issue with certain fruits and veggies (see citrus fruits or tomatoes), fiber helps regulate digestion whereas more processed carbs will disrupt it. It's also difficult because he's a picky eater, so while lentils and whole grains are great ideas, putting them into practice can be more difficult. Trust me, it can be difficult cooking dinner too, for all reasons, and unless it's in a crockpot we usually don't have enough to have leftovers. He usually goes back for the seconds that would be a small portion of leftovers.
  • ladybosie
    ladybosie Posts: 41 Member
    There's also the fact that I need to somehow create meals that aren't calorie dense, can accommodate and help alleviate the symptoms of IBS, and his palate.
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    Applesauce lol
    Ripe bananas
    Melons
    Sweet potato (just the flesh)
    Butternut squash (pureed)
    White rice
    Smoothies
    Lean fish

    I would also add lots of herbs to his meals like thyme, dill, rosemary, oregano, etc. Turmeric, cumin, cayenne are also great in aiding digestion if he can tolerate them.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    ladybosie wrote: »
    Since he can't eat an insane amount of protein, because diets TOO high in protein irritate IBS, what sorts of foods would you suggest to help him stay full?

    Has this been his personal experience or something he/you read? My personal experience with protein has been just fine. I have IBS. I have to stay away from dairy due to lactose intolerance. Has he tried different protein sources, eliminate/add things to see what works for him? Protein in lean chicken versus soy protein versus whey protein could all have different effects on someone with food intolerances.
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    too precious a list of restrictions to give helpful,practical advice imo.
  • lexabeep
    lexabeep Posts: 232 Member
    Hi what medical diet is he on? It would be easier to make suggestions. I also second the protein thing..never heard that for ibs, but if that sets him off then he should avoid it. My husband is on a low fodmap diet. When we first started it was hard but as you add foods back if you tend to figure out which foods set you off. Anyways good luck!
  • lexabeep
    lexabeep Posts: 232 Member
    Also I would avoid beans, legumes and whole wheat. Unless he knows for sure what causes his issues these can cause flare ups. Go more with oatmeal, quinoa, cooked blackberries. Spinach, kale are good sources of fiber.Avoiding raw fruit and raw veggies can help if he is in flare up. I know it helped us to make a food journal and go on a medical diet to figure out exactly what foods caused my husband symptoms. You can't really diet to lose weight while having symptoms. My husband almost never has problems now. If he does it is because he eats something he already knows he can't eat.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    ladybosie wrote: »
    Foods high in acidity, high in fat, high in refined carbs, or that cause gas.

    Fibre causes gas, as it's fermented in the colon. Seems some specialist advice might be in order as increasing soluble fibre and decreasing insolunble fibre is suggested in some cases http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/men-in-white-coats/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment/

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