Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Deprivation Depression

You can get really frustrated when you try your best to behave and cut out all kinds of yummy stuff and still have some problems.

But for me, I just made the decision to do whatever I could to minimize the risk of problems and it has been far easier than I thought it would be. I used to eat loads of chocolate and candy et.c. and I thought it would be really hard to give it up. But guess what? It wasn't. Once I had made it through the first few weeks I didn't crave it anymore.

One thing here that I think is essential is the whole substitution - not deprivation - thing. You have to find yummy things to eat that are IBS safe. Ok, so in the beginning when you're used to fatty things, the new stuff *might* not taste as good as the things you're used to eating. But after a while your body and taste buds adjust. I swear to you now - I don't ever want to have a fatty pizza again. And candy? Well, yes I do feel I'd like to have some sometimes but I don't crave it. Not at all. Instead I indulge in my IBS safe treats.

Giving up the fast-and-easy types of food and the candy and other store-bought fatty treats has also meant for me that I probably eat far better now nutrition wise. Since I can't just have a bag of candy I have to find something else when I am hungry and that typically means that I make something far more healthy instead. (I am lazy - so it's no wonder I ate a lot of candy et.c. instead of proper snacks before.)

Have you tried the dessert recipes? Start with one that is really low fat. The peppermint fudge cake is really easy to make and yummy and you can eat it on an empty stomach hopefully.

Good luck!

/Ulrika, IBS-D

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