Dieting + IBS= bad combo??
#43482 - 02/06/04 09:54 AM
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fishnets
Reged: 10/09/03
Posts: 515
Loc: MA
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I started a diet on Monday, cutting my calorie intake in half. Since then my IBS is acting up every day! Because I cut my intake, therefor lower fiber intake, I doubled the amount of Benefiber I've been taking. What am I doing wrong? The only other thing I can think of is I've been eating a bit more raw fruits and veggies, but doesn't seem like enough to be giving me symptoms everyday. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
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IBS-C
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You may be getting too much fiber...I know you said you are dieting and cutting some fiber out, but if you're doubling the dose of a supplement, you may be increasing it too quickly. For instance, with the Acacia fiber from Heather (which is wonderful, by the way), she recommends starting out with 1 teaspoon, I believe, and then working your way up gradually. I was told by the first doctor I saw to "cram in the bran flakes" for fiber. Not only was the drastic increase in fiber making me feel like I was about to die, but it was also the fact that it was bran. So, maybe cut back the double dose a bit? Also, don't let your stomach get TOO empty - that can bring on an attack as well. Hope this helps a bit, and hope you feel better soon as well.
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After starting THE SOUTH BEACH DIET, I began to feel very bad and was having many attacks after feeling pretty good previous to that. I am convinced it was from the diet and now I'm very slowly working myself back. This website has been a God-send to me and I am following the advise of the people who contribute to it. I have had IBS for the last 30 years and everyday is a challenge.
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Raw veggies? You're a braver woman than I! I just do not go near them unless I'm feeling totally stable...and I'm IBS-C and pretty tolerant of fiber.
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What is "a BIT more raw fruit and veggies"? Girlfriend, I couldn't tolerate even a TINY bit of anything raw. I was able to have a slice of tomato and a piece of lettuce on my turkey burger the other day, and I felt lucky!
Although I would have blamed the raw fruit and veggies for your distress, DOUBLING the amount of Benefiber all of a sudden could be the culprit. When I started Heather's acacia, I started slowly -- but then I began increasing it too quickly, and suffered as a result. When I dropped back to my original dosage, I was fine.
Lastly, you said you have cut your calorie intake in half. That means your meals are very small -- are you still keeping insolubles in your tummy all day? And did you have that raw fruit and veggies on an empty tummy?
DIETS! What do the first three letters of that word spell out? 
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I agree with the other advice -- going slowly with the fiber (and even with the calorie cutting) may be the better way to go. I also would really watch any raw veggies - they can cause so much trouble.
Making small changes can add up -- and increasing activity is one of the best ways to change your shape. I say this from experience -- I am losing - slowly but surely... I have lost 36 pounds so far... and I am losing at a rate of 1 - 2 pounds a week.
Good luck!
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Quote:
increasing activity is one of the best ways to change your shape
I agree with this statement. I believe exercise, in whatever form, is essential for losing weight. I, personally, don't agree with all the "fad" diets of cutting carbs (I thinks that's what you said). If you are cutting calories, then the IBS diet seems to already be doing this by limiting fat intake (as fat contributes the greates amount of calories per gram). Carbs are our energy, and our friends! I have heard so many stories of people on the low carb diets being sick and low energy.
I agree with the others, that increasing your fibre too quickly can be causing bloating and attacks...also eating raw veggies (especially on an empty stomach) could be the culprit. Hope all of the feedback is helpful for you in making a recovery! 
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I agree with Mickey. My sister, who also has IBS, went on the Atkins diet. She said she got horrible D from it. She's back to the Weight Watchers program now.
Personally, I've lost weight on Heather's diet due to the low fat emphasis. And studies prove that gradual weight loss is MUCH easier to maintain over the long term than weight loss from crash diets.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Thanks guys  The reason I doubled my fiber is cause I cut my calories in half...somehow I figured it would work out to be the same amount of fiber, guess I was wrong. The raw veggies I ate were cucember and carrots, I figured they wouldn't bother me too much(don't carrets have less insoluble fiber?). Yesterday I tried to eat more safe foods and my tummy felt better, plus didn't take the Benefiber. Thanks for the advice/suggestions guys! I'll just have to be less drastic about things.
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IBS-C
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Hi Laura; DID you lose weight strictly on the ibs. diet, I mean to fat intake ,or cheating at all. Also, did you increase your activity level. I am increaisng my activity level, intheb ibs diet , but not strictly and still ahve trouble losing wieght. What is your secret?
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My Husband did the Atkins diet for 4 day's. He was sooooo sick by day 4 he had to lay in bed all morning. I made him penut butter and jelly sandwich, strawberries and whip cream...etc...CARBS!! Once his body had some carbs back in him he felt better....well it has taken a few days to get all the way back on his feet. Our bodys need around 300- 400 grams of carbs a day. He was down to 20. When you don't have the carbs for energy your body starts to burn you fat and muscle for energy...no wonder you lose weight. He lost 5 lbs in 4 days. SCARY!!! He vows never to do one of those extreme diets again!!! AMEN!! I tried to tell him...then I figured I better be supportive, I would like the same support for my diet. Which he does support. Anyway's I'm so happy he's done with that!!! Everytime he was frying up bacon or sasuage I thought EEEEWWW so much FAT!!
OK...I'm going on and on!
Bye, Bye 
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ATKINS !
#43719 - 02/08/04 09:01 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I'm sorry for your hubby but glad he's much better. I'm also sorry for the millions of Americans who have been duped into believing this Atkins stuff is good for them. I keep waiting for the axe to fall. I know it will, as all diet fads inevitably do.
Fried bacon..... remember those days?
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi, Louise,
I did both. I watched my total calories, which was easier on the IBS diet due to the emphasis on low fat. I also increased my activity level, mostly by walking, just like you!
My real secret is that I wrote down everything I ate and looked up the calories and made sure I didn't eat more than a certain amount. I also made sure I did it gradually and didn't get upset by the ups and downs. One tip I read years ago is only weigh yourself once a week. If you weigh yourself everyday, you'll get too frustrated. Worked for me!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Fishnets, you cut your calorie intake by HALF!? How many calories were you eating before and how many are you eating now? I'm just curious. I track calories on Fitday.com and I could never cut my caloric intake by half becuase then I'd practically be eating nothing! I average around 1400 cals/day. You're never, EVER supposed to eat below 1200 calories/day. Regardless of diet.
A couple of Web sites that help me:
www.caloriesperhour.com
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
HTH!!
I've been trying to lose about 10 pounds that have creeped up on me after getting IBS (about a year ago). I'm trying to cut down on sugar, refined flours, etc.
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~jules
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Jules,
That's absolutely correct that we should never go below 1200 calories unless under a doctor's supervision. I average around 1300 a day, three meals of 300 each and four snacks of 100 each. Total calories should be based on current weight, activity level and desired weight loss over a given period (not to exceed 1-2 pounds lost a week). There are calculators on the web as you mention.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Thanks for the concern. I don't know if I necesarily cut it in half, but I've been trying to keep it at about 1,000 calories a day(don't yell at me ). But since I'm having having much less soluble fiber from this, it's affecting my IBS worse...yes I know it's dumb, I'll eat more.
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IBS-C
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