Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I've been an IBS(C&D) sufferer for about 10 years. Just discovered this site and got the book First Year IBS. After reading so much contradictory info about what to eat for IBS (low starch, high protein, hypoallergenic/exclusion diets/specific carbohydrate, blah blah blah), I have a few worries about trying the IBS diet....can anyone help?

1. In the UK we are taught refined white starches are the cause of ill health and constipation, but these seem to be the basis of the IBS diet...

2. Isn't there a link between very low fat diets and depression, or at the very least they are bad for the skin and hair and are ageing?

3. I agree that excessive consumption of meat and dairy are acid forming in the body and cause the body to lose essential minerals, but aren't grains like wheat and rice acid forming too; as opposed to alkaline forming foods (vegetables, fruits and potatoes) which should be the basis of a diet???

4. having avoided wheat (even white flour) for some time, I'm very nervous about reintroducing it as it seems to be the first food suggested for avoiding for any sort of digestive problems...any reassurance?

Despite sounding sceptical, I'm actually very hopeful this will work for me, as the technical info on this site about IBS as a condition makes more sense to me than anything else I've ever read.
Thanks - Shellsbells

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