Hi... I have just purchased 2 of Heather's book, but I am still reading through them. I was diagnosed with IBS probably 20 or more years ago.... but being Italian and wanting to eat eat eat as we do in my family.... eating for IBS was NOT going to be my priority. Well now I'm 47 years old and its as though my IBS has grown into this horrid monster that has taken over my body with a vengeance. I suffer with the constipation form of IBS. I have lots of gas, bloating, cramping and its just generally annoying all the time. My biggest problem is that I am so confused with all this new information. A lot of it goes against everything I have been teaching myself for the past 3 years. I have been trying to convert my family to a mostly organic whole food diet. Thats not to say we dont "cheat" and eat out or eat desserts, but we try to eat at least 50% organic. The IBS diet is going to take me some time to digest. I have not been allowing myself to eat white bread - I thought that was the enemy. I am also confused about the "low-fat" stuff that is suggested. I don't like bottled dressings filled with preservatives so I make my own salad dressings with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Why would eating a bottled Low fat dressing be better than that? Also I have been eating yogurt cuz I thought that was supposed to be good for the flora in your colon and would help me. I don't see any suggestions for eating yogurt or if its a trigger food cuz it's dairy.
I hope this isn't too confusing.... cuz right now my head is spinning thinking I have to re-learn how to eat at the age of 47 and how will I do that with the influences I have and always will have around me.
Can someone help me and give me some insight or just tell me how to start slowly and not overwhelm myself.