Lettuce

I have had IBS with diarrhea for the past 11 years. I have tried going off of milk, eggs, wheat, etc. I have been on several medications to help control it, but nothing has taken it away completely. I didn't notice too many trigger foods except iceberg lettuce. So I have been avoiding lettuce for several years now. Then I went to my gi doctor and he told me that a lot of people have a similar problem iceberg lettuce--there is no scientific reason they can figure out, but he has tested it on a patient and found it to be true. So, I started eating salads with romaine lettuce instead as an experiment because I had heard lettuce is supposed to help you digest food more easily. I went for 3 weeks without an IBS epidsode!!!! That is crazy because I normally have diarrhea at least 2-3 days a week at a minimum. For some reason, romaine lettuce helps to stabalize my stomach regardless of stress or sleep. Has anyone else had a food that has helped them out or caused diarrhea?

I was immediately drawn to your thread by the subject line. I was told I had IBS, spastic colon, or was a head case for over 25 years. In reality, I had Crohn's disease. But once the Crohn's was in remission I made a HUGE discovery that likely made the Crohn's even worse during that time.

I cannot tolerate Romaine lettuce at all! It is the only food that always, and I mean always, causes diarrhea. I can eat "baby" lettuce - very young, newly picked lettuce. Sometimes I can do some iceberg if I watch how much I eat. My GI told me that even people with "normal" GI tracts usually have one or two foods that cause GI distress. He said lettuce, especially lettuce with very fibrous veins, causes many people problems.

The other thing about iceberg lettuce is that depending where you are purchasing it and how it was supplied to the store/restaurant - it might have sulfites on it. Sulfites can really cause problems is some people.

Whatever the cause, I am really happy that you have found some respite from your GI distress!

I can't eat lettuce at all, terrible D after about half an hour of consumption. It may sound weird, but when it comes to salad food i ask myself if i would give it to my rabbits. Thay can not eat many green leafy foods due to the acid content, tho apparently (i have not tried them on it for fear of being wrong) rabbits can tolerate Romain lettuce. Iceberg lettuce, or "normal" lettuce is very acidic so no wonder it causes us problems when we already have a sensetive tummy. For the same reason i can not also eat any fruit. Shame as i love it so!

I am very glad that you have found something that works for you and i sincerely hope it continues to work for you!

Indigo 

I also have issues with iceberg. I'm not really crazy about Romaine. I usually will get the green leaf lettuce from the supermarket for my salads and sandwiches. Haven't had any problems with it so far.

Thanks for all of the tips! It is nice to hear (but unfortunate!) that I'm not the only one with lettuce issues : )

I have had issues with digestion for a little over a year and it has not been fun. I've been reading a lot and trying to figure out how to deal with this because I have 5 kids and I need to keep up with them. Lettuce has given me lots of issues and I loved eating it when I could. I'm trying different kinds of lettuce. I have found one that I like to eat which I'm not sure its really a lettuce but it taste good and I don't have as much issue. Swiss chard is colorful and tasty. The other I have found that works is to add as many other veggies with it that I have or can find and use little amounts of lettuce. It doesn't mess with me as much. Also sprouts are a good way to eat a salad. They are not a fibrous so they digest easier.