Advice for gaining weight?
#173484 - 04/25/05 12:11 PM
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Ghost
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 20
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Dear all,
I am a recently "realized" IBS sufferer who has been having serious back-and-forth symptoms for about 3 months now, though my problems go way back. I am also a vegan who was extremely underweight before this recent period of problems, and my weight has only gone down more since then.
So, I was wondering if anyone might have a few tips they could offer for me for trying to put weight back on. Just more about my diet prefs, grains are always my "safest" foods, though I try to stay under 10 servings; when I cut back further I lost weight quickly. i also try to get between 4-6 servings each of fruit and vegetables a day (more so the former), and my protein is from soy mostly (though I have issues with some of it) and nut butter or sometimes nuts. I am a 26 yr-old male who is moderately active. Umm, I think that is enough.
Thank you!
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Hi Ghost, I was a vegan for 17 years, and lost a lot of weight. In fact, I really attribute much of my IBS to getting way out of balance on a vegan diet. During my Vegan years, I ate way too much fruit, and now realize that I developed a Fructose malabsorption that causes D every time I eat it now.
Anyway, I got down to a weight of 102lbs at my lowest point, at a height of 5'8", and almost said good bye to this world. It has been a long road back, but 40 lbs heavier, and all muscle, with around 8 percent bodyfat, I feel that I have reached a very good place, in terms of weight.
I have to say, that had I not given up my Vegan diet, I probably would not have made it. I first added in some eggs, and then some chicken, fish and turkey. I currently eat only about 6-8 oz of animal protein per day (mostly chicken and turkey) but it has made a huge difference in my life.
You can read a lot about people who have had trouble on Vegan diets at Beyond Veg.
Let me know if you need any more info, I would really like to help in any way I can, since I have been through the same thing that you are going through. I would definately cut back on the fruit, or maybe even eliminate it while you stabilize.
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Phil
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Hi! I see you're in Charlottesville, I'm originally from Richmond!
I'm a vegetarian (almost a vegan, I still do egg whites and honey) on this diet, and I totally understand the being underweight thing! Do you have Heather's Eating For IBS book? In there, there are some tasty quick bread recipes as well as hear on the message boards which are safe and packed with calories (quick breads are breads you can just mix the ingredients and bake, you don't have to worry about rising and kneading and such). Also, potatoes are safe and a good way to safely pack in calories. Put safe condiments on stuff, like rice cheese (since you said you may have problems with soy, I can't do soy, so I use rice cheese and milk, I even saw rice cream cheese at Whole Foods last week, haven't tried it yet though) or tomato sauce if you can handle it. Safe condiments add calories and taste! Good luck!
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Dear Phil,
Wow, your story sounds eerily familiar. I have been a vegan for about 6 years now, and it is even harder for me because I eat only whole/natural foods, and only organic. I suppose that this narrowness makes it harder on my IBS (or causes it???) especially when it comes to trying to find things that are higher in calories. I am about 5'10" and am hovering around 122 or so right now and fighting like mad to get between 2300-2400 cals a day, after years of being quite underweight. Not a good recipe for putting weight on.
I know that there is no way I could go back to eating meats of any kind, and I am really averse to even picking up the ovo-lacto again. Call me stubborn, but it feels extremely important for me...as long as I am in this world. I think there are options for vegans nowadays that were not around even when I started, but opening up to some of them (and paying for them) is tough!
I can also hear you on the fruit thing. I have been at around 6 servings a day, almost entirely dried fruit or juice, and now if I even look at juice I get an upset stomach; I actually added in bananas recently to try to get more fresh, but I am so sensitive to sweets anyway that almost all of it bothers me. I would love to eliminate it, but the calories seem crucial and are packed in fruit...catch-22. The problem with relying on veggies, of course, is the LOW calories. I am trying to work in more proteins, which I know I need, and which is tricky because beans are such a fiber killer. Oi. :-P
Anyway, not to ramble on with this. Thank you for your reply. It is nice to know that someone else has some experience with this same issue. And I would love any more info you might feel worth sharing. THANK YOU.
Be well.
-Justin
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Justin, I really empathize with your situation. If there was any way I could be a Vegan again, I would, because the principals are close to my heart. There is a small bit of hope, in the back of my mind, that some day I will figure it out and be able to return. In the mean time, I give thanks for every animal that gives its life for me, so that I may live. I eat only organic, and free range, to put the purest possible in my body, and cause the least amount of pain for the animals.
Anyway, lets see what we can come up with given your parameters. There are basically three ways to get calories into your body. Proteins, Carbs, and Fats. You need to work to increase which ever one is the easiest on your digestive system. If the Fruits are causing you trouble, as they did me, you will probably need to increase your nut intake. Of course these can be very problematic to IBS'rs because of the fat trigger. Experiment with various nut butters to see if you can find one that doesn't trigger your IBS.
When dealing with grains, because you are getting so much fiber from other sources, you might want to try sticking to refined grains. I know that sounds contrary to health recomendations, but the insoluble fiber in whole grains can be irritating. Personally, I eat a lot of Lundberg organic white rice. Try the Sushi Rice, it is very sticky and filling, as well as soothing to your intestines. I also have a gluten intolerance, so I stay strictly with rice, and eat no other grains, but you may not need to do this.
Beans are tough. I don't know what to recomend for you there 
I would say that you might want to stick with broken down forms, such as Tempeh, and Miso, but of course you need to be careful about eating too much Soy due to the Estrogenic, effects. Unfortunately, it is not just the amount of protein, but the type of protein that seems to have an effect. Some things to watch for, that indicates that you are needing an animal source, is an excessive hunger. Feeling like you have to stuff your self until you are bloated, and then you still don't feel satisfied. Uncontrollable cravings, and tendancy to overeat. This is something that rarely happens to me any more, in fact I find that I can eat very little food to maintain my weight, because I have balanced my diet. Before, I would eat pounds, and pounds of Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Nuts, Potatoes (I was a big potato eater) and no matter how much food I stuffed in myself, I continued to get thinner. Anyway, I hope you can find a combination that works for you.
One other approach you might consider, is to try various supplements. Protein powders that are enzymatically digested. If you can handle whey protein, that might be an acceptable compromise to you. I know you wouldn't be Vegan any more, but perhaps dairy might work OK for you. I can't take dairy in any form, but perhaps you can. I don't know about you living circumstances, but if you can, why not buy a Goat? Milk it yourself, take care of it, and love it as a pet  That might be a way to get some nourishing animal energy in you that wouldn't be harmful to the animals.
At any rate, I hope you find what works for you. I feel your pain
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Phil
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Dear Phil,
First off, let me just say WOW with a helping of THANK YOU for the detail you went into. I am more grateful than you can imagine. Even after years of seeing a nutritionist and doing my own hefty nutrition research, I still often feel like I have no luck with these things--esp. when the IBS-A kicks in and stirs the soup like a madman.
Let me respond to your points separately, below:
* ... If the Fruits are causing you trouble, as they did me, you will probably need to increase your nut intake.
- Phil, your fruit comment hit home like a bolt of lightning after I read it this morning. I always notice with fruits that the sweetness can be too much to handle: juices, even diluted 50% or more, can cause serious gas and bloating; dried fruits, even soaked and cooked, do the same and seem to cause energy plummets soon after eating. In addition, I can sort of see how recent symptoms (excess thirst and urination, etc.) might be due to an over-consumption and/or sensitivity to the fructose/sugar in my body. I have relied on nuts in the past, up to as much as 3 oz. worth in a day at my highest, but have recently cut back because of the fat (I do better with them than with oil though, a drop too much of that can send me into hell for a day). I seem to do okay with peanut butter so far, depending on how I have it. In fact, thanks to your first reply, I substituted a little oat "pancake" thing and some peanut butter, along with rice milk and hemp protein powder, for juice and apricots this morning--and what a difference!
* When dealing with grains, because you are getting so much fiber from other sources, you might want to try sticking to refined grains. I know that sounds contrary to health recomendations, but the insoluble fiber in whole grains can be irritating.
- Yes, I know about this problem and the paradox of refined for "healthy"--my nutritionist made the same point before. I usually eat brown basmati rice but sometimes, esp. recently, use white basmati. I will have to look into the sushi rice. I usually stick with rice because it is definitely my favorite and safest; second to that is oats, which I use daily, also sometiemes millet. I may not have a gluten intolerance, but I have cut out sources of gluten other than iffy oats because it is difficult to digest (along with yeast).
* Beans are tough. I don't know what to recomend for you there
I would say that you might want to stick with broken down forms, such as Tempeh, and Miso, but of course you need to be careful about eating too much Soy due to the Estrogenic, effects.
- I am trying to be careful with beans and with soy. I cut way back on the soy b/c of the estrogen issue but have recently added back in soy milk, pure soy isolate powder, and tofu--for about 3-4 total servings a day. I used to use lentils a lot, but my fiber issues made me cut them out, too; I am trying to bring them back in carefully to see how I do, since they are a good source of protein and a good substitute for grain over-reliance.
* Some things to watch for, that indicates that you are needing an animal source, is an excessive hunger. Feeling like you have to stuff your self until you are bloated, and then you still don't feel satisfied. Uncontrollable cravings, and tendancy to overeat.
- Never happens. I am luck if I am hungry at all.
* One other approach you might consider, is to try various supplements. Protein powders that are enzymatically digested.
- Introducing soy protein powder into my diet a year or two ago was like a miracle. I had been having (and am still having) heart issues, osteopenia, etc., in addition to the weight problem, and the soy powder helped a lot. But now I really think that soy (milk and powder) is troublesome for me, though it might be more an issue of what I have WITH the soy (e.g., fruit with a soy shake)--have to test it out. I recently picked up some hemp protein powder, which is a living food, and tried it this morning; I have also seen rice powder, though adding yet another grain is something I am wary about.
So, I am trying to hold out on the vegan thing as long as I can. A question for you: what sort of a combination of food groups do you find most helpful? I hear so much about cutting grains way back and eating *only* vegetables and fruits, but trying to that was not a good thing for me. I was up to 12 grains a day at one point and then cut back to 5-6 at that same time. It sounds like you are probably not going all-out Atkins given your sentiments, so that is why I ask. And, I commend you for using organic and free-range animal products when you use anything; anything to decrease suffering is praiseworthy.
Thank you again, Phil, for all your time.
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Justin, I eat a LOT of rice. Usually three meals a day. I have rice for breakfast, and then add some Chicken or Turkey in for lunch and dinner. I eat a few vegetables, not many. I actually do best on Lettuce and Grean Beans. I eat no fruit.
One thing you could try, is to eat your fruit with raw vegetables. I know this helps some people. For example, eat a Banana with a lot of Romaine Lettuce. It helps to cut the sugar, and may help your symptoms.
It is good to keep in mind, that most of the Fruit we now have available to us is highly hybridized to increase the sugar content. Our primitive ancestors ate fruit that was much more fibrous, more like our vegetables, and it was not easy to find, and very seasonal.
Here is are some interesting links on the fruit thing:
Fructose Intolerance
IBS and Fruit Sugars
Increasing Fructose Intolerance
Fructose and Abdominal Pain
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Phil
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Dear Phil,
Yes, I am being careful with the fruits now and adding grains back in, cutting the former back to 3 minimum and upping the latter to 10 servings. And all hail rice! The grains may not have the best rep nowadays, but I have to get calories SOMEWHERE, and fruit is just not going to do it. Your advice about having it with other things is sound, and I usually do try to "cut" the sugar by having it with blander things; I was trying to have fruit separately at all times, since I have heard a lot that it is better to eat fruit alone. So much for that. I have also heard about the hybridizing issue, which makes sense.
I will check out your links. And some good news after touching base with my nutritionist friend: I managed to put on a pound!
Thank you again Phil, and I wish you the best in all your riceyness. ;-) 
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Romaine lettuce is Not a good thing for IBS (nor any lettuce) and 1 banana is not enough of a SF base to have a salad IMHO!
If you're going to post diet advice on her for IBSers can you keep it to the IBS guidelines? This would make many people very ill.
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Actually Linz, if you read the links I posted about fructose malabsorption, you will see that it is the sugars in the Banana that cause IBS in many people, and reducing the sugars with the fiber in lettuce, will have more of a positive effect on IBS than the small amount of insoluble fiber in lettuce would cause.
If you just want people to parrot the IBS guidelines that you adhere to, then why is this a discussion board? If you want to keep an open mind, and hear what others find works for them, perhaps some progress can be made, otherwise, I guess you are just satisfied where you are, and we can just talk about the weather.
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Phil
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By the way, Justin, you mentioned that you had heart problems. I would check with your nutritionist, and MD about adding the amino acid L-Carnitine to your supplements, and see if they feel it would be helpful to you. It is an amino acid that is usually defficient in Vegan diets, and is necessary for proper heart function.
L-Carnitine
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Phil
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Hi Phil,
Welcome to the boards. We do discuss a variety of opinions about the causes and cures for IBS on the board. However, as this board is run by Heather, we do try to keep our posts to the IBS diet this board is sponsored by (and that works for many people and that most people here are trying to follow). When we deviate, we tend to point out that what we are suggesting is not on Heather's diet, and rarely does anyone present hypothesis as facts (particularly since triggers and "cures" seem to be very idiosyncratic). I don't think anyone has any issue with your suggestions, just the way they were couched. I look forward to reading about your theories!
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I think all Linz was saying was this: a lot of people come to the boards to try to better understand the diet and to get tips on how to work with it. When you post advice that says to do things that are against the diet, people can get really confused. That doesn't by any means mean that you shouldn't post and discuss alternate treatments and such, just maybe to specify that what you're suggesting are not part of the diet recommendations from this site and may not work for those trying to diligently follow them. We just don't want to have people in the diet forum saying "i thought I could eat lettuce...!"
 That's all! Have a great day!
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Thank you both for your clarification, however, I am still not clear how my suggestion to Justin violated the board rules, or led anyone astray. I was specifically suggesting something for Justin to try that were within his parameters, and is something that many raw food vegans have used to help with the sugar issue.
I think I made it quite clear that I was talking to Justin specifically. I am also coming from a similar history to Justin, and I am not sure that anyone else on the board can say the same. I was going through the exact same thing as a 26 year old, when I was his age, following a similar path, with similar ideology, and struggling with the same issues.
At any rate, I will take your suggestions, and try not to contribute any ideas that may rock the boat, and perhaps communicate with Justin in private, so that no one here will be confused by new ideas.
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Phil
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Dear Phil,
Hey, thank you. I will check into that; it looks like it would make a good bit of sense.
I was also kind of curious--you said you eat "a lot" of rice. How much are you talking about? Since you said you eat few fruits and vegetables, I am wondering how you balance that with rice/grains (the animal products of course). Thank you. :-)
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Dear all,
I just noticed the minor bit of controversy Phil's lettuce recommendation stirred up. While he was responding (very kindly) to me specifically, I suppose our conversation here might have drifted into non-IBS-diet specifics.
So, Phil, if you would rather talk to me privately for any further comments, send me an e-mail (you can find it on my website, in my profile).
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Justin,
I eat about 100 grams (before cooking weight) of white rice at each meal. I rotate between Basmati, Jasmine, and Sushi rice.
I also eat a few plain unsalted rice cakes (3-4 per meal). I prefer the Koyo brand of rice cakes to the Lundberg.
At lunch and dinner I have 100grams of Chicken, Turkey (all white meat, no skin) or Ostrich.
I don't measure the vegetables. I eat as much as I can. I am trying to add more in, but it is difficult, since I have sensitivities to a lot of them.
I eat very little oil, or fat, since it is a major trigger for me. Olive Oil I find to be especially troublesome. The only oil I really tolerate is.......Rice Oil. Surprise but I do take pharmaceutical grade fish oil capsules for omega 3's.
As you can see, my caloric intake is pretty low. It is probably about 1500kcal per day. I work out hard (monday, I did 500 pushups and 100 chin ups in 45 minutes) and have actually gained muscle on this intake. I hate to say it, but I do attribute that to the balance between the rice and the poultry.
I have a very small bone structure (6.25" wrist) but I have been able to maintain a weight of 140lbs solid. My body fat is about 8 percent.
By the way, cool web site 
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Phil
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Hi Phil
#175016 - 04/29/05 08:11 AM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hello there!
I just wanted to say Hi and Welcome. Also, I don't think that you violated any board rules or anything, so don't worry about that.
I don't think it's that people don't want to hear anything that would 'rock the boat' as such, I think they are only trying to help by using the things that work for _them_. Like, if I had been asked about raw veggies, I would be like, "No, no! Go away!!" because I have been soooo sick from them and wouldn't want anyone else to find out the way I did!
I think we are all very open minded, I know I feel like I have tried everything under the sun... I'd hop around on one foot all day if someone convinced me it'd make my stomach better, I think you just have to be ready for some people to disagree if they know something has made them sick. I think THAT is why it is a discussion board, because people can relate their own experiences.
It's like some people can eat small amounts of dairy, but they don't recommend it to someone new coming on the boards because so many people can't tolerate the dairy at all.
I look forward to reading your other posts, and to disagreeing with them... Just kidding. Hee hee.
Cheers,
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Just wanna toss this out...IF you have celiac and you continue eating gluten/wheat you will not get better and you will not gain weight.
I eat gluten free. My emotions are more stable than ever even tho I'm going through some stuff atm.
In any case...I don't eat a lot of meat because it makes me ill. I eat avocado, beans (mashed they're much safer), rice, applesauce, potatoes, etc. I am needing to lose weight (so I'm on he opposite end)...but these things carry lots of calories. Esp potatoes!!!!
Do you ever eat Kasha/Buckwheat? Or Quinoa? Packed with healthy cals!
I'll keep thinking for you....
Take care!
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Hi Stephie, thanks for the welcome, and thoughts.
I suppose I just bristled a bit when Linz basically said that I shouldn't post what works for me, just because it doesn't work for her. Especially, since I have been through EXACTLY what Justin is going through, so I really know where he is coming from, and what he is trying to do with his diet. I wasn't posting for others, when I was giving my suggestions to Justin.
I also feel that much of the guidelines are based on personal experience. If I were to try to follow the IBS guidelines on this site, without modifying them for myself, I would be very ill. I think there are many others who post here that also have special needs that don't entirely fit the guidelines, judging by much of the despair I see posted here, along with all of the posts about medications. I mean no offense to Heather in saying that. I really admire what she is doing for people, and this site is a fantastic resource. I just think people need to be able to think outside the box to find what works for them, rather than just blindly following somebody elses guidelines.
A few personal examples:
Disclaimer: This is what I experience, and may not be right for you. If you have any hesitation, please follow the guidelines on this site.
Lettuce: I can eat TONS of lettuce, with no issues whatsoever. Lettuce IS NOT a salad. There are many items that go into a salad that can trigger IBS. For me Lettuce is not one of them.
Fruit: This to me is a major trigger of IBS. It is due to a frequently undiagnosed Fructose Malabsorption problem, of which I have posted links above to back up this view. I find that fruit will give my D every time. I know many other IBS'rs that have the same issue. According to the guidelines on this site, fruit is fine.
Olive Oil: Another recomended item on this site, that will immediately give me an attack of IBS. Even very small amounts of this will do it. I have no problem with Rice oil.
Potatoes: This is a huge IBS trigger for me, and will give my IBS every time. I suspect it is a Nightshade allergy, and is probably a personal issue that will not apply to to many people.
Quinoa: This has been suggested in a post just above. Personally, I find the Saponins (soap like compounds) that are contained in Quinoa, very irritating to my intestines. (If you decide to try this grain, I advise washing it very thoroughly before cooking it).
As you can see, if I decided to follow the guidelines blindly, and not experiment to find what works for me, I would certainly be on medication. As it is, I am totally stable (as long as I don't eat the offending foods) and I take ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICATION. I feel this last point is crucial, because IMO there is no medication that does not have long term negative effects. I take the personal view that food is not entertainment. I eat only what is necessary for my health. I do not hold the view that I am deprived and need to take medicine so that I can have a party in my mouth
Anyway, I appreciate the thoughts, and hope that I can continue to contribute my experiences on this site, without being censored. Of course, if Heather wishes me to not post any of my experiences that are contrary to the guidelines, I will respect her wishes.
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Phil
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Re: Hi Phil
#175070 - 04/29/05 10:20 AM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Quote:
Hi Stephie, thanks for the welcome, and thoughts.
I suppose I just bristled a bit when Linz basically said that I shouldn't post what works for me, just because it doesn't work for her. Especially, since I have been through EXACTLY what Justin is going through, so I really know where he is coming from, and what he is trying to do with his diet. I wasn't posting for others, when I was giving my suggestions to Justin.
And I think that is absolutely fine. It's not like we are selling anything, we just want to help people feel better. And if the things you suggest work for him, I say power to you.
Fruit: This to me is a major trigger of IBS. It is due to a frequently undiagnosed Fructose Malabsorption problem, of which I have posted links above to back up this view. I find that fruit will give my D every time. I know many other IBS'rs that have the same issue. According to the guidelines on this site, fruit is fine.
Well, not all fruit is safe. And most often, it is something to be eaten after something else is already in your belly. But I too have problems with fruit. Like, even if I peeled it, if I ate an apple I'd be in loads of pain. This is where I think the food diary recommended by loads of people comes in handy. That way, you set your own guidelines according to what you can see written down. "I ate this, and got sick. I ate it again, got sick again. I won't eat this anymore". So for me, apples are out.
Just out of curiosity, is it all fruit that you can't digest? Can you have things like applesauce or anything like that? I am just curious.
Olive Oil: Another recomended item on this site, that will immediately give me an attack of IBS. Even very small amounts of this will do it. I have no problem with Rice oil.
Olive oil is not recommended for people trying to get stable, no oils are. It is the better of a few evils for a lot of people, though. I can handle it fine, but while I was getting stable I avoided it completely.
Potatoes: This is a huge IBS trigger for me, and will give my IBS every time. I suspect it is a Nightshade allergy, and is probably a personal issue that will not apply to to many people.
NO POTATOES? HOW do you live??
As you can see, if I decided to follow the guidelines blindly, and not experiment to find what works for me, I would certainly be on medication.
Maybe this is where you and I will disagree the most - I feel that handling IBS is down to the individual. These guidelines, not just about food but about alternative therapies, yoga, soothing teas, medication, tips on eating out, etc, are only that - A rough guide. It took me over a year to understand not what "IBS" meant, but what "my IBS" meant. That means diaries of all your food, all your medication, all the stresses going on in your life,all your symptoms. That means learning stress management techniques and relaxation that work for ME. So, if you did the same as me, you could follow a lot of the advice whilst still being able to recognise that you, for example, cannot tolerate potatoes and that you can tolerate some vegetables others can't. As it is, I am totally stable (as long as I don't eat the offending foods) and I take ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICATION. I feel this last point is crucial, because IMO there is no medication that does not have long term negative effects. I take the personal view that food is not entertainment. I eat only what is necessary for my health. I do not hold the view that I am deprived and need to take medicine so that I can have a party in my mouth
Party in your mouth, LOL, that's funny. I can't remember the last time I had a "party" in my mouth. For me, medication is important. I cut out everything except rice and water and was still sick, so I needed the medication to get stable. I have had no ill effects from it as yet. Like you, I am not a medication fan. If I could go without, I would. But I was unemployed and broke and needed to be able to leave the house, so there we go!
Anyway, I appreciate the thoughts, and hope that I can continue to contribute my experiences on this site, without being censored. Of course, if Heather wishes me to not post any of my experiences that are contrary to the guidelines, I will respect her wishes.
Oh psh, I don't think anyone wants to sensor you or have you kicked off the boards just for telling someone to try eating lettuce! For the love of Pete, it's not like you're telling him to eat McDonalds every day and see how he does. I think you might have the wrong idea here, we are here to support and help people.. not force something onto unsuspecting people who are suffering.
Anywho, I'm at work now so I best look busy and.. type something.. or something.
Nice to talk to you... I like you, you're chatty!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Nice to talk to you too Stephie. If every one is as nice as you, I think I am going to enjoy it here.
It is the Fruit sugar, that is my problem. Lack of Fructose digesting enzymes, or something like that. Peeled, Cooked, Mashed, Sauce, it doesn't matter. I hope to some day be able to add it back, as I heal my gut.
Potatoes were a love of mine for many years, but for now it is Rice for me
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Phil
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Dear Phil,
Hello again. Let me say first--you are the MAN!
Seriously, I wanted to let you know, if you do not already know, that you can be even ricier than you are now because there are rice protein supplements out on the market. One of the two I have seen, by Nutrabiotic, is vegan and is non-gmo. Unfortunately, it is not organic. it has 12g protein per serving, and they do not use anything besides water and natural enzymes to process the rice. For me, it looks like a good match.
Two more notes. Your fruit suggestions were helpful; I am mainly trying to combine them with bland things, such as rice or plain oatmeal or even nuts in small amounts (1/2 oz. or less).
Also, I am utterly convinced now that soy is a major problem for me. I had a D attack this morning after having 4 servings of soy yesterday--2 c soymilk, some soy yogurt, and tofu. God, what a nightmare. I wonder if anyone else with IBS has soy problems, since soy is listed as safe on Heather's site.
Be well.
-Justin
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Soy
#175131 - 04/29/05 01:43 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hi,
I know I'm not Phil, but I just wanted to stick my head in about the soy thing.
Have you ever eaten soy before? I mean, was it already in your diet?
If you do a search for 'soy' or 'soy intolerance' on the Diet board, you'll find tons of info. You'll see that soy is safe for most people BUT it is something that your body takes time to adjust to. You may not be intolerant to soy (you might be), it might just be that you added it in too quickly. Like, if you weren't eating any soy and then suddenly had 4 servings that is A LOT for your body to try and cope with.
Try adding soy really gradually into your diet and see if you still get problems. Definitely don't have more than one serving a day at first.
HTH,
Steph
--------------------
~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Hmmm
#175149 - 04/29/05 02:46 PM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Didn't need to cause so much aggro, but as everyone's IBS is different, what worked for Phil is not neccessarily going to work for Justin. Unfortunately, Justin's post didn't get much response at first so he was only getting Phil's advice (hi btw! ) which just meant that he was getting a one-sided view.
Also...important note...food intolerances are actually separate to IBS even though they impact on it. Heather's diet will work for pretty much every IBSer WHO HAS NOTHING ELSE GOING ON. Working out if other problems are there is a major part of the first stage of having IBS.
You can post anything, but it's just alot better all round if you say..."this is what worked for me"... until you know that it's something that works for many people.
Hope that's okay!
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Re: Soy
#175252 - 04/30/05 04:37 AM
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Ghost
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 20
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Dear Steph,
Sorry if I was not clear on the soy thing. I did not introduce soy recently but have been using it for a long time now--ever since I became vegan 6 years ago, though more in the past year or so than before that because my protein was dreadfully low. Soy has been something on my "watch out" radar for quite a while now, and the more experiences I have with it lead me to believe that it is definitely a trigger food for me, at least in most forms I have tried so far.
I can see why it would be safe for many people, as Heather describes it elsewhere, but for me it just does not seem to work even when combined with other SF things like rice. Plus, the estrogen issues for men using soy are another thing to consider. Anyway, thank you for your reply!
Be well.
-Justin
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