Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Worse than ever this morning

Helen:

Actually, I should have said "stick to the diet rules" as opposed to the diet itself! I personally don't agree entirely with the diet. I speak from a lot of experience since I've had IBS for 47 years, as near as I can tell!

First of all, I don't believe in eating prepared foods except in exceptional circumstances and I am amazed at some of the so-called "safe" prepared snacks listed on this website! For example, things like Lays baked potato chips and pretzels would definitely not be something I could tolerate. I guess they work for some, but not for me.

Basically I follow the diet rules on this website, but not the recipes or the prepared snack foods that are listed. Also, I believe in eating organic where possible and I avoid (like the plague) anything containing additives (even vitamin additives) and chemicals.

I have difficulty accepting this website's advice to remove poultry and fish from one's diet while stabilizing. Unless you have an inflammation in your intestines and need to be on a softer diet, I think some protein in the form of meat (not red meat, of course!) is essential to keep your blood sugar stable. I have blood sugar problems myself and would not at any time be able to remove poultry or fish from my diet.

I don't know what is in the bread mix you are using, but, of course, dairy would not be the only concern. In addition, for me, additives of any kind would also be a problem. If you are not feeling up to making bread from scratch, you could find out if there is a good Jewish bakery in your area that sells "parve" bread. That means the bread will not contain milk products (although check the other ingredients!). Actually, I've generally had no trouble finding bread in the U.K. that doesn't contain milk products. (I travel to England almost every year.) Another option is to buy "matzoh" from a supermarket that sells Jewish products. It's like crackers and often just contains white wheat flour and water (check the ingredients and phone the manufacturer if you're not sure whether the wheat flour is white although usually it is even though it may not be stated). I think it would be soothing (although not gastronomical!) to dip the matzoh in boiled water and eat it. I often carry matzoh with me as a snack.

I personally think your approach of sticking to either organic white rice or peeled potatoes and eating plain chicken/turkey breasts & fish while stabilizing is a good one. I would also recommend drinking Twinings organic peppermint tea, or just plain boiled water (very soothing) if you can't get out of the house to buy the tea. Twinings organic peppermint tea was available at Waitrose the last time I was in England.

I also find peeled, cooked carrots to be easy to digest and they add a little vegetable into your diet while stabilizing. Sometimes I make soup consisting of organic chicken breast, potato, rice, carrots and parsley when I am trying to stabilize. The warm liquid is soothing to the stomach and at the same time I get some sustenance.

However, please be aware you may not get a true result right now from attempting Heather's diet because the medications you are on could be aggravating your IBS. Some of us (especially me!) have major problems tolerating medications, in particular things like pain killers and muscle relaxants, etc.

Feel better soon!

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