First I do not disagree with the idea that there is a lot more to managing symptoms than food. That is what my post was about. Sometimes it is how food is eaten that causes problems. Plus we all know there is a lot more to managing IBS than just the food!
I can't be okay with this 'unnecessary food stress' theory because it doesn't make sense and could cause people who may otherwise get stable to never do so. You cannot treat IBS by eating whatever you want and thus not turning your mind to the fact that you have IBS. Your gut is not that easily fooled! Your gut will have problems digesting the hard to digest food whether you think about it or not.
Plus not thinking about the fact that you have IBS will not change the fact that your subconscience knows you have it. I am not saying that you shouldn't do anything besides eat right! You still can do a lot by finding methods to deal with stress etc, but if you think you can fool your gut by not thinking about what food goes in you are doing yourself a harm. Mind over matter can work for many things -like you smell or see something gross and don't let yourself get sick to your stomach- or you try not to think about being thirsty -or you work through a light cramp when exercising. IBS is specifically and technically the matter or gut controlling the mind. The gut decides what to do and your mind cannot overrule it.
If you want to control stress, work on not getting stressed when avoiding foods. There is no reason avoiding certain food should make someone anxious. There should be no such thing as 'unnecessary food stress.' If you want me to be honest that is just an excuse to eat what tastes good when it is really hard to give up certain foods. The word for that is delusion. It is not reducing stress but deluding yourself into thinking you are reducing stress. If anything, eating IBS safe food should cause less stress that could impact the gut. When you have 'safe foods' it should ease your gut as much as a heating pad. I wish you would listen to me because I truly believe it will help you.
Think about when you suspect you are getting a cold. I suppose you feel that if you think about or treat the cold you will stress yourself out more and then come down with it? The virus is in your body and unless you treat it you cannot talk yourself out of being sick. We all try that but if you have a virus, you have a virus. Does it make it worse to think you may have it? Sometimes we tell ourselves that but of course it isn't true. Would it be best to acknowledge the cold is imminent and take whatever treatment you think works? yes.
My advice is to not stress when eating- we agree on that. But first eat safe foods and let yourself completely relax while doing so. Make it careless and happy. Try to have that free feeling you have when letting go with friends and doing whatever you want- but just do it while eating more safely. Sure everyone needs to make their mealtimes as relaxed as can be (lots of people get abdominal problems from mealtime stress- not just people with IBS. Some parents have ruined their children to eating without pain because of horrible mealtimes!), but not letting your brain know it has IBS isn't possible. Acknowledge it and be cool about it but still know your gut will react to foods. And please see that I am trying to help. I want to help and don't want someone to get pi**ed because I have a different view.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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I care too much to agree with that
