Excellent IBS Diet Advice

Thanks Kiss520 for the link. Others have referred to this site as well, so I jumped over to it for a quick view. I was very pleased with the info on fibers. I have found relief and dietary direction for my GI issues through Auyervedic medicine and the information is very similar.

A few of things I would add that I did not see in my quick view of the site.

For those who struggle with insoluble fiber, it can be tamed through an increase of healthy oils in your diet. I sautee my bran, which contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, in a little sesame oil before adding it to meals. I do avoid insoluble fiber in dry form (i.e. granola).

The second comment is a cautionary note. Soluble fiber acts as a binding agent, for some, soaking up excess water in their system (minimizing diarhea), for others holding on to the water as the digested food passes completely through the system (minimizing constipation). Make sure, especially if you are prone to constipation, that you take sufficient water with any increase in soluble fiber, or it might block you up even more. If you are one of those (as I was) who would say, "no way, can I drink 8 glasses of water a day!" You wil find that not only can you drink more water when you increase your soluble fiber, (and spend less time peeing it out), but you should try to acheive that number to minimize fiber block-up. I have comfortably increased my water intake another 20 oz per day, but I would like to average another 10 to 20oz (total about 70 oz, I weigh 155 lbs) to consistantly maintain soft stools.

Another caution, is that the same binding action that benefits you by holding on to the water and some unwanted fats etc., could negatively affect your health by binding up nutrients as well. It can carry a lot of good stuff out with the bad.

Increase you soluble fiber intake in small increments to avoid the negatives, so you can truly benefit from the positives. And give it time!

Thanks again for the info, I've printed out some reading for the night.

What I like most about the diet is that it allows you to eat both soluble and insoluble fibers, as long as you eat them in the correct order and amount (since it's important to also get insoluble fiber). There's a lot to read on the site, but it all makes perfect sense and has really helped me.

pb4 - You are absolutely right about sticking to it, regardless of absence of symptoms. It's funny how we can suddenly feel invincible when our symptoms are gone, only to be slapped back to reality when we try to indulge in trigger foods. You'd think we'd remember how awful we can feel, but it's so hard to say no when confronted with our favorite (bad) foods.

You got that right. Food can be so incredible and evil all at the same time. No fair!

Fat is a huge troublemaker... and ground beef is particularly wicked for me. I've cut out nearly all red meat and it does seem to help. I don't really mind it except that I love pork.

The IBS diet you mentioned did not help me at all...in fact made my symptoms worse. It includes a lot of high carb foods, including yeast, white rice,  white flour, and sugar. Those foods in particular make my IBS symptoms worse after eating those foods for awhile. I had to eliminate those foods to get well from my UC symptoms. If you have a fungal/yeast condition, that diet is not for you. And, I didn't know I have that problem until I experimented with an antifungal diet and got well again. Now that my colon has healed, I can eat beef, ground or otherwise, with no problem. For those that have been bothered by eating hamburgers, have you ever thought that it could be the bread or something else you are eating with the beef, that is causing you the problem?