Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | healthy veggie cooking for husband w/ IBS, 2-yr-old, and myself?

Hi all, I'm completely new to this! My husband was just diagnosed with IBS, and we both started reading the First Year book the other day. I have reserved Eating for IBS at the library and should get it soon.

We have been vegetarian for about a decade, so that part's easy. And we were vegan for about 3 years in the past, so using soy "dairy" is not strange to us. But for years we have been basing our diet on unrefined foods like whole grains, beans, veggies, leafy greens, etc.-- you know, all the stuff that's supposed to be so healthy, but is dangerous for people with IBS.

Many of the safe foods listed in the book, such as white bread, white pasta, and white rice, are things we don't eat much because they have very little nutritional value. Basing meals on those foods, and eating less fruits and veggies (esp. things like dark leafy greens and broccoli, which I cook often and value for the calcium and iron) seems so much less healthy, even though I know it is what my husband needs. It seems bizarre to me that we are suddenly about to switch to a mostly-refined diet (though, on the plus side, it will be cheaper!). My main concern at this point is how to feed the whole family and make sure that we are all getting the nutrition we need, without cooking seperate meals. Is this possible? Will my daughter and I be less healthy on an IBS diet?

Any info/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator