Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi - The glycemic index can be helpful, but it can be taken out of context too. Most people don't make a meal out of white rice, for example, but something like a fried rice that has a lot of chopped veggies (which are likely low glycemic index) mixed in. This will lower the overall meal glycemic index level.

You can also choose high soluble fiber foods that are lower glycemic index - things like brown rice, oatmeal, barley and root veggies. And the supplements won't have any glycemic measurement at all.

Some of the foods that are high on the index are also good soluble fiber sources (like potatoes) and will lower your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease and diabetes. Soluble fiber in any form will actually help keep your blood glycemic levels stable.

For the triglycerides, I've pretty much read to avoid the same foods that would cause your cholesterol levels to be too high (namely saturated fats, particularly animal sat fats). But I've also read that too much refined sugar can raise triglyceride levels, so you might want to watch that. Most Americans get the majority of sugar in their diets from soft drinks - which is probably not a factor for you since this is an IBS trigger. But if you're drinking other sweetened things, or eating a lot of desserts, it won't hurt to cut back on that.

Best,
Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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