Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Fine by itself - instant oatmeal will safest for IBS. And if you like

Hi - oatmeal is a whole grain, but one of the ones most likely tolerated with IBS. But - how the oatmeal is processed can make a difference.

Oatmeal starts as oat groats - these would be the toughest for IBS, as nothing has broken down the insoluble fiber in the grain at all.

Oat groats are steamed and flattened into steel cut oats, then rolled oats, then quick-cooking oats, then finally instant oatmeal.

By the time the groats have been repeatedly steamed, flattened, and chopped up to make instant oatmeal, the insoluble fiber (which is still in there) has been mechanically broken down by these processes. That really helps make it easier on your gut.

So - instant oatmeal is the safest. If you can tolerate regular rolled oats, or steel cut, that is great, but if you're not sure or feeling touchy, stick to instant.

Best,
H

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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