Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi - whole grains are healthier than processed grains, but they also have a lot more insoluble fiber, which can trigger attacks. Check here for how that works web page

There is no need to give up all wheat unless you're wheat or gluten intolerant - and this is different than IBS. Whole wheat can be problematic because of the insoluble fiber. Refined wheat, as in white bread or pasta, should be a good soluble fiber staple. If you haven't been tested by a doc for celiac, a gluten intolerance disorder, make sure you get that done. Celiac is often misdiagnosed as IBS.

Of course you'll be eating fruits and veggies -as many as possible. What matters here is that you get a good soluble fiber base so you can incorporate the insoluble fiber from the produce. The recipes will give you lots of good ideas just how to do that. Poultry is fine if it's white meat, skinless. So is seafood.

A good rule of thumb is to ask anyone giving you diet advice for IBS to cite their sources. They should be able to point to clinical studies showing that soluble fiber helps, that insoluble fiber hurts, etc. There are recent studies showing that fat and fructose can trigger IBS symtpoms. Anyone giving you diet advice should know this...and they should also know that there's nothing to show that gluten is an IBS trigger. You can check the studies yourself on the boards here in the IBS Research Library forum, under the diet section.

In the end, what matters is what helps you - that's all that really counts, so trust what your own body tells you more than you trust what anyone else, including me, says.

- H

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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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