Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | New to Boards and IBS Diet

Ugh, I have to start this post all over again, b/c I hit some random keys that took me back and I lost everything I wrote.

Welcome to the boards and to the site Marley!

I'm Sommer, IBS-C, pain, cramping mostly and sometimes nausea. I also have a huge butt-load (pun intended - laughter is good medicine) of other physical, emotional, and mental issues that I'm having trouble getting resolved. I've got really messed up chronic insomnia too. I'm glad you found us, not that I'm glad you have IBS, but I'm glad to know you're finding solace in the information you've read and the food you're trying. It's a long process sometimes, and you'll probably still have your bad days before you become stable. A good companion, must-have book is Heather's "IBS, The First Year" which talks all about how to do just that - start stabalizing and learning how to listen to your body, how and what to eat and when. There are also tips on how to deal with family, friends, socializing, restaurants, vacations and includes some sample menus and recipes. There's much more too. Both books kind of congeal in my mind so sorry if I'm mixing the info up between the two. But I know there's info about trigger foods, IF and SF, etc.

I've learned so much from Heather, her website, and the tons of people on the boards. Everyone is really helpful, fun to talk to, friendly, and understanding. Even though all of us have a few differences in how our bodies deal with IBS in all its forms, I think everyone brings something to the table. The IBS diet is about trial and error for awhile, maybe quite awhile and learning what works best for you and eventually, it becomes almost an innate part of you.

The restaurant tip I picked up from Heather's books was the importance of eating your insoluables at the end of your meal. Most restaurants offer salads while your entree is cooked. Ask the server to bring it to you after your main dish.

My own tips, ask about the ingredients and how your food will be prepared, and if it seems too risky for your tummy, order something safer, or ask if that dish can be altered such as less oil or butter, grilled instead of fried. Anything that has "cream" in the description almost definitely means high fat and dairy. Avoid egg noodles, ask them to substitute another pasta instead. Most restaurants have Egg Beaters and some have veggie burgers, both of which are pretty good. Explain to your server why you're being so picky; such as "I have a food allergy" or however you feel comfortable explaining it. It's important to make sure they and the chef understand how important and necessary it is. If they won't help you or are rude about your polite requests and explanation, they don't belong in customer service imho and don't deserve your patronage. Restaurants have other diet foods available, the IBS diet is just another diet to manage an incurable disease. And it's healthier than Atkin's, too.

If you get gassy easily, tote along a bottle of Beano, it works well for me so far and I've only used it about 4 times in the last few days. Generic Gas-X is another OTC gas reliever that you can take after meals or at bedtime. This also made a difference for me. Get some peppermint Altoids and dissolve one in a glass of water with no ice (cold stuff on an empty stomach can cause spasms), or ask for a cup of hot water and make your own peppermint tea to sip after you eat. Peppermint also aids in digestion in general, even if you're not an IBS sufferer. If the restaurant has teas, make sure they don't have caffeine. I know it's nerve-wracking at first trying to find something you can eat at a restaurant that's as safe as possible, but try not to stress out too much, stress and anxiety can affect IBS. (Okay, a couple snippets in this were from the board or from Heather's books), but most of them I learned myself or just kind of made sense. Oh, yeah, if the restaurant serves bread while you wait, ask for white, sourdough, or french bread and either limit the amount of butter you spread on the bread, or eat it plain. No need to stuff yourself either; that is drink plenty of not-too-cold water or another drink that's safe and that you like and the bread will start a good soluable fiber base. Don't wait until you feel full before you stop. Stop eating your main meal before you feel full OR have them put half your main meal into a to-go box so that you're not tempted to overeat. Overeating can be rough on the tummy, not just on the waistline. :P If you order a baked potato, either eat it w/no butter or sour cream, but ask for chives or whatever seasoning you prefer. If you do want/use butter, ask for it on the side. No sour cream.

For snacks, I believe there is a "sticky post" near the top of the of page 1 that have been compiled. I haven't looked at it in a long time though, so I could be remembering wrong. Anyway, sorry to leave ya hanging there, but I should probably get back to "work". I wish you good luck and take care.

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XOXO from lil' ol' me.

(IBS-C, mood disorders, etc., etc.)

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