My IBS-friendly routine!! / question for yall

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amazingbabydoll
amazingbabydoll Posts: 61
in Food and Nutrition
I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome two years ago while eating basically whatever I wanted (crap). My doctor said to eliminate all foods that trigger my IBS so I slowly eliminated processed foods. That helped a bit. Then I noticed meats were making it act up too, so I went vegetarian. I then noticed dairy was causing it too, but I've always had a problem with dairy especially milk (I have to drink soy milk). So I'm on a no meat, no processed foods, & no dairy diet.. or lifestyle change. What do I do to get enough calories? Fruits, veggies, eggs, hummus, nuts, soy milk, & protein shakes! You may be thinking wow that's not enough or wow that's sad. Actually nope :) I have a routine. Since eating anything makes me sick (the healthy foods I mention still make my stomach act up sometimes.. just not as bad as unhealthy foods). One day I'll only intake healthy drinks that include tea, fruit infused water, soy milk with added vitamins & nutrients, protein shakes, juice, & smoothies. The next day I'll eat my healthy foods & drinks. I add fiber to my tea & water too but don't necessarily need it cuz (tmi warning) ibs makes me poop A LOT!

Disclaimer: I track my foods with this app & get a balanced diet & enough (sometimes more!) calories. I do not have this routine in place for weightloss, although it is helping with it. I have this routine because of my ibs.
I'm on meds that help a LITTLE. Going to my doctor again soon to see if my routine is healthy. If not, then I'll eat strictly healthy meals & try to find more foods that are IBS-friendly.

Question: Do YOU know any other IBS-friendly foods? If so let me know please & thank you :)

Replies

  • HopSkipJumpEatRepeat
    HopSkipJumpEatRepeat Posts: 5
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    My doctor recommended the FODMAP diet for IBS, maybe have a look at that online and see if there is anything you think you can add to what you've got so far? i.e. there might be certain types of meat that are less inflammatory for you (i eat a lot of fish) + grains & pulses
  • amazingbabydoll
    amazingbabydoll Posts: 61
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    Ooooh forgot fish upsets me less! Thanks for reminding me haha
  • nephalime
    nephalime Posts: 22 Member
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    I have IBS too and possible Leaky gut syndrome (there is no test to officially prove it).

    I don't eat gluten, dairy, processed food. Rarely eat meat.

    I stick to soy or almond milk, fish and seafood, fruits and veggies (no potatoes or corn), nuts, olives and tea. Although rice and quinoa are gluten free, i avoid them, they make me sick pretty much every time.

    I think you should try to go gluten free, don't go crazy just skip the bread, muffin, croissant, pasta and wheat product all together. That's what made the difference for me.

    I've never heard of the FODMAP diet, the list seems very long..

    Good luck !
  • mountainrun73
    mountainrun73 Posts: 155 Member
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    I have had IBS-like systems most of my adult life, even before these symptoms were called "IBS." In the past year, they've gotten worse. The GI specialist I saw last week recommended a low carb and/or low FODMAP diet - she said definitely eliminate gluten and try eliminating dairy as well. I am right now eating pretty close to Paleo-style. I have a lot less bloating and pain, and also more energy in just a week and a half. This means I am able to be more consistent with workouts so might actually lose some of the weight I've gained in the past year.

    Hope this helps! I appreciate you sharing your experience!
  • AllieUK
    AllieUK Posts: 22 Member
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    I have IBS too, I thought it was gluten and lactose that made it act up, but I've discovered I'm actually just gluten intolerant, and the gluten was making me feel sick with lactose too, But now I've gotten rid of gluten, I can drink milk!

    It's weird how these things work,
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    To increase the calories you can add more fats and oils. Also cold water fish like tuna and salmon. Peanut butter might suit you.
  • amazingbabydoll
    amazingbabydoll Posts: 61
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    Thanks for the replies guys! Yeah, I'm basically on a mixture of paleo, gluten free, lactose free, & pescatarian. Paleo with the exception of hummus & occasional pita chips. Can't take hummus away from me EVER! Good idea on adding oils & fats. Olive oil is high in MUFAs that burn belly fat. So that's good. I add it with my eggs & whatever else I can. I'm gonna try to add it to my protein shakes but idk about the taste. Haha I'll find out. Again, thanks guys :)
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    If you like hummus, you might like one of is important ingredients: Tahini
    http://www.amazon.com/Love-Foods-Tahini-Sesame-Butter/dp/B00ET0JWB0/ref=sr_1_34?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1413432541&sr=1-34&keywords=tahini
    It is has lots of oil.
  • shaumom
    shaumom Posts: 1,003 Member
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    AllieUK wrote: »
    I have IBS too, I thought it was gluten and lactose that made it act up, but I've discovered I'm actually just gluten intolerant, and the gluten was making me feel sick with lactose too, But now I've gotten rid of gluten, I can drink milk!

    Hey AllieUK - you might want to check out whether you might have celiac disease, instead. A lot of celiacs get misdiagnosed as IBS. But the reason I mentioned it is that with celiac disease, it damages the gut, and part of the gut that is damaged is where lactase is produced to digest the lactose.

    So many celiacs are lactose intolerant, and when they go gluten free, they can start digesting dairy again.

    I don't believe you can be tested for celiac disease currently, as the test looks for accumulated markers of a reaction TO gluten, and you have to be eating it for a few weeks for that to show up. But tests are being developed that will no longer require that. It might just be worth your while to look up celiac levels of compliance for a gluten free diet, you know? :-)
  • shaumom
    shaumom Posts: 1,003 Member
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    I know that a lot of the IBS dietary restrictions are aimed at avoiding inflammatory foods, but you can go one step further than that and actually make sure to add IN anti-inflammatory foods. Fresh herbs of all sorts are typically in this category, as well as things like turmeric. I believe ginger might be in there too, but wouldn't swear to it.

    I have a different disorder that causes inflammatory issues in the gut, and I've been surprised at how much a constant ingestion of anti-inflammatory ingredients has helped.
  • amazingbabydoll
    amazingbabydoll Posts: 61
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    shaumom wrote: »
    I know that a lot of the IBS dietary restrictions are aimed at avoiding inflammatory foods, but you can go one step further than that and actually make sure to add IN anti-inflammatory foods. Fresh herbs of all sorts are typically in this category, as well as things like turmeric. I believe ginger might be in there too, but wouldn't swear to it.

    I have a different disorder that causes inflammatory issues in the gut, and I've been surprised at how much a constant ingestion of anti-inflammatory ingredients has helped.
    Never thought of that! Thanks :) I currently drink a type of tea that includes ginger. I'll google it to see if it is one of the anti-inflammatory foods.
  • patsypooter
    patsypooter Posts: 175 Member
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    I eat a stricter version of fodmaps. Can you eat chicken? I can't do red meat of any kind but chicken is OK. I am on a very limited diet but I feel fine with it. I can't eat out but I see it as a good thing.... Saving money!!

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