Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I've been looking and looking for a list of different beans and how tolerable they are. I remember reading once that lentils are easier to tolerate.

Anyway, here's how I prepare my beans (remember, I'm a D):

1) I usually eat canned beans because I know they're fully cooked and they're easier for me to prepare. Lentils are faster and easier to cook, so I'll usually make these myself according to package directions.

2a) I puree the contents of a 15 oz can of black beans (my favorite type of bean), either make it into a dip or spread, or just add a couple of tablespoons of mashed beans to a burrito or plain rice. (You could probably start out with less and build up, just to see how you are tolerating it.) I reheat the beans after making them into a spread in the microwave or I'll heat them first and then mash them with a fork. Sometimes I don't reheat them at all, just mash them and mix with rice.

2b) With lentils, I like to puree, heat over a stove, and mix them with couscous. Are you still GF? If so, they're also good as a topping for baked or boiled potatoes. Personally, because I'm a D, a 1/2 cup of lentils after not eating any for a while seems like a lot to me. I would probably start with 1/4 cup or less and work my way up over a week or two. Of course, you'll probably have to do a bit of experimenting to see what works for you.)

3) I've read that some spices (such as cumin and ginger) and herbs (parsley) are digestive aids, so you might want to add them to your purees. They have carminative (gas relieving) properties. I usually add cumin as I'm pureeing the beans--it blends better this way.

4) You might want to try a cup of fennel tea at the end of your meal. Uh oh, I feel a Heather-quote coming on

:

Clinical studies have shown that fennel, as part of the diet, helps regulate contractions of the small intestine and aids gas expulsion. Fennel also relaxes the gut, which can relieve spasms of the GI tract. As a result, fennel assists in the dietary management of IBS symptoms, and is exceptional for IBS bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Fennel is also a traditional digestive aid for colic, heartburn, indigestion, and stomachaches.

I haven't tried Beano, but since it contains enzymes that digest beans it should be helpful as well. Do you take Beano before you eat or with the first bite of food? Aren't there drops you add to the beans?

I guess eating beans is a bigger production than I thought!

Well, I hope I haven't bored you to tears or confused you even more. I'm just writing what has worked for me in the area of bean consumption.

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