How do I start?
#62391 - 04/18/04 09:11 PM
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Hey everyone...I'm back!
I know this is kind of a hard question to answer, since it probably varies from person to person. But I am so sick (literally) of having my IBS be completely out of control (see my first post). Since having tried basically everything, I know that the only thing left is to change my diet completely. The thing is, I do not know where to start. I admit that my eating habits are not good, and I am what you'd call a sugar-addict. I think this may be contributing to the cramping and disabling pain I experience every morning of my life. I need to get this under control because I'm 16 and I need to regain control of my life that has been so messed up over this IBS for the past two years. So my question is for anyone that has found relief in changing their diet--how do you start? Do you start by eliminating certain foods? Or adding certain foods? I'm so lost and this is my only hope now. Still trying to keep up that positive attitude!
Thanks for any replies.
Smiles for everyone,
Trinity
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Hello Trinity,
Personally, I have had a lot of success changing my diet, and I too had the absolute worse diet in the world! I'm useless in the kitchen, so I lived off fast-food and overly processed food, and alot of chocolate, so changing my diet has been pretty hard.
What might be good is to start trying to "Break the Cycle" of IBS by going back to the "What to Eat when you Can't eat Anything" diet. You can read about here: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/what_to_eat.asp
Then, once you feel more stable you can start adding back in foods, but don't add back in the triggers. Things to cut out include, caffeine, soda (or anything carbonated), dairy, red meat, and anything really high in fat. You can read all about the triggers here: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/trigger1.asp
This can be hard, and I imagine at your age perhaps even more so, because when you're out with friends often food choices are not the greatest  I'm 22 and still struggling with trying to learn to eat better, especially now that I have to prepare the foods myself. It is important to completely eliminate the triggers, because even a small amount can cause attacks or keep you from feeling better. Thankfully, there are wonderful substitutes out there for many things (i.e. soy and rice products for dairy, veggie substitutes for red meat). There are many wonderful recipes on this site, and I can HONESTLY say that I'm eating better tasting stuff now than before I started the diet.
You mentioned that your a sugar addict...good news, sugar is OK for IBS! Basically, chocolate isn't because of the dairy, and you have to be careful with a lot of sweets because many contain High Fructrose Corn Syrup which can be hard on some people's tummy, but sugar itself is ok. I just made a batch of Chewy Chocolate Fudge Cookies tonight, and they are wonderful, definately satisfying for the sweet tooth...here's a link to them: http://www.helpforibs.com/messageboards/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=recipe&Number=61564&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=
Also, if you don't already have fennel and peppermint tea, I would highly recommend them, fennel is awesome for gas and bloating, and the peppermint helps with cramping. And if you're not taking a fiber supplement you should look into that too, it will really help stabilize your tummy. You can read about fiber supplements here: http://www.helpforibs.com/supplements/sol_fiber1.asp
That's about all I can think of for right now, I'm fairly new to all of this too and have gotten wonderful advice from all the great people on the board, and I'm sure you will too.
Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon!
Kelly
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Fabulous info from Kelly here! All I can think of is have a look at the huge variety of recipes on the Recipe Index (look on the Recipe board) and have fun making some stuff. Unless you're trying to lose weight  sugar is great for IBS as it means you can eat really yummy goodies and still be safe. Anti-Depressants brownies are my favourite!
I'd try and cut out all the triggers at once - the sooner you cut them all out, the better you'll feel!
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This Is How
#62489 - 04/19/04 08:05 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Well, Trinity, you start with Heather's "The First Year." Read it, then read it again. And ask a lot of questions here in the boards. Stay with us, don't leave. You'll learn SOOOO much here.
I got a lot better when I came on board. I kept learning. And I did a lot of other things too. I stopped cheating. Big difference! If you stick religiously to the program, you'll get better. It's not easy, I know it's not, especially for a teenager, because you're around all your friends who want to go to MacDonalds for a burger. That's tough, and I give all of you credit for being able to work around that kind of situation.
But as soon as I got real about my IBS and stopped cheating with my beloved coffee, and stuck to the program, I stopped having so many attacks. Then, when I went through the hypnotherapy program, the anxiety ceased as well, and now I'm 95% of my old self again.
Stick with the diet, be sure to get a soluble fiber supplement, exercise regularly, drink all the water, and keep asking questions here. I guarantee you'll get better.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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This Is How
#62532 - 04/19/04 09:21 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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Quote:
Well, Trinity, you start with Heather's "The First Year." Read it, then read it again. And ask a lot of questions here in the boards. Stay with us, don't leave. You'll learn SOOOO much here.
I got a lot better when I came on board. I kept learning. And I did a lot of other things too. I stopped cheating. Big difference! If you stick religiously to the program, you'll get better. It's not easy, I know it's not, especially for a teenager, because you're around all your friends who want to go to MacDonalds for a burger. That's tough, and I give all of you credit for being able to work around that kind of situation.
But as soon as I got real about my IBS and stopped cheating with my beloved coffee, and stuck to the program, I stopped having so many attacks. Then, when I went through the hypnotherapy program, the anxiety ceased as well, and now I'm 95% of my old self again.
Stick with the diet, be sure to get a soluble fiber supplement, exercise regularly, drink all the water, and keep asking questions here. I guarantee you'll get better.
Bev
DITTO.
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