Quote:

---

I am posting this in the hopes that you all will have answers to some of the questions this diet raises for me. I'm about to raise several issues here and perhaps they'd be better as separate threads, but...

I have severe (on disability, sleep a few hours a night b/c of pain, etc.) IBS-C, with intense pain and cramping and ridiculous amounts of gas/bloating. This all started after a severe episode of amoebic dysentary and parasites while I was living in Asia six years ago. Also now dealing with CFIDS and FMS. I'm sorry. Having IBS AND CFIDS and FMS is not easy.

1. Processed foods: everything I know about nutrition (which is a fair amount) tells me that the more processed a food is, the more unhealthy it is. Several of the foods (including "staples" like bread, crackers, etc.) are highly processed (and could make my CFIDS and FMS much worse). Sugar is beyond debate in terms of its health destroying properties. How do you all reconcile this?

I know what you mean. It is hard at first to resign yourself to the fact that to be void of pain with eating you must base your meals around a food that is considered high in soluble fiber and often lacking in the nutrients our bodies need, BUT that does not mean you have to avoid all foods that are nutritionally dense. It just means you have to be cautious about the type and form they are in.

From what I know about Fibro and CFS, which is very little--Linz is the expert here----avoidance of wheat can be helpful, in which case there are a host of food that you can eat besides just rice cakes. Look for things made from high protein wheat alternatives....quiona and amaranth and teff are some. Can you tolerate oats? Also, with IBS and Fibro dairy avoidance is a must, but you already know that.

2. Protein: my doc wants me on 80+ grams of protein/day to increase energy (I'm male, active, 170 lbs.) I'm allergic (ELISA test) to soy and egg whites, and can't tolerate beans/legumes at all. Too much fish/chicken triggers me. I'd like to do protein shakes but wonder what options I have that have no whey or soy.

Rice and Pea protein powders are as high in protein as whey or soy powders and make a nice base for fruit smoothies or mixed with a rice or nut milk.

3. Constipation vs. pain/spasm/gas: eating a lot of bread, rice and SF foods reduces pain/spasms/gas but makes me MORE constipated. Eating cooked veggies, oils, etc. improves BMs but triggers pain/spasms/gas. Has anyone else had the same experience? What have you done about it?

For me, besides this diet there are 2 other things I include with every main meal. One is digestive enzymens, another is a probiotic (or homemade DF kefir). Fats, even oils are a main trigger for me not to mention I don't have a gall bladder so don't process fats well anyway. I keep the amount of cooked veggies and fruits as high as I can, always adding a SF before or during consuming those. I also take a SFS before eating, and at night a triple dose of psyllium (Konsyl) plus stool softeners and an apple pectin tab. All that amounts to around 25-35 g. of fiber which is what my body needs. Being hypothyroid I'm also a "C" and so need as much fiber as I can get. I DO NOT avoid antispasmodics altogether and take a Bentyl when I eat out or before eating what I know will be a large meal, thus taking "as needed" but not all the time because it has a tendency to make one "C" as well.

4. Vitamins/minerals/nutrition: My gut is so sensitive right now that I can't tolerate any fruits and vegetables except sweet potatoes, bananas, papayas. That's pretty good, better than some people. I'm concerned I'm not getting the health benefits of eating fruits and veggies. What about "green foods" powders/supplements? Any other solutions? If green foods (powdered supplements) are dairy free and HFCS free and you consume them AFTER some bread or rice I don't see where you'd have a problem.

Have you tried juicing? Many with IBS can tolerated mixed veggie or fruits juiced as long as they have some SF on their tummy first.

Thanks for your help. I really want my life back. Oh, and we want you too as well. Good luck..it's a matter of trial and error, and we're all a little different with what we can tolerate. Kandee

---