Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Elimination Diet Is A Must

There is no way around an elimination diet. If you don't do it, he will continue to be sick ... assuming he has IBS. But rather than dwelling on what he can't have, why not think of what he can have and then it won't be so foreboding.

To help him gain weight, give him small meals often. IBS-safe treats with sugar will also help him gain weight. For example, bake up a batch of Heather's banana bread. You can substitute apple instead of banana, which also tastes good!

Don't worry about hurting him by removing the trigger foods. You won't hurt him. You will be doing the kindest thing possible because he will feel better. I'm 47 now, but I already had IBS at his age and I was often sick. How wonderful it would have been if my parents had realized what I had then and they had removed the trigger foods from my diet so I could have felt well as I grew up. Alas, it took me 45 years of a great deal of suffering to find out I had IBS and how to deal with it.

Your son should be able to tolerate wheat in a soluble form -- white bread or French bread. It's best to bake your own without the trigger foods. But if you don't have time, buy the bread at a good bakery -- Jewish bakeries that follow the dietary laws produce bread that is "parve," which means it will not contain any milk products that trigger IBS attacks.

Yes, some people seem to have problems with wheat even if it is in a soluble form. I have some problems with it, but I still consume it. I'm not sure whether the wheat problem is connected to the IBS or some other problem.

Belinda

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