Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: IBS and Long Distance Hiking

I backpack with IBS but for me the danger is more toward D than C. My main symptom is bloating but this is negligible when hiking. The most important thing you can do is stay hydrated and take acacia fiber. It is hard to stay hydrated when hiking and such a pain to pee all the time, but it must be done! Also drink herbal tea in the evening which I think somehow hydrates you more than water. For drinks Langers water drink is safe and sometimes I make a fruity drink with these Mexican 'koolaid' packets and add stevia instead of sugar (if there is cold water backcountry). Having a safe flavoring for water like that is great if there is a potential for not liking the taste of the water. So make sure to have a camelback or a accessible bottle (I am trying to rig a long tube from my metal water bottle top to my mouth since I don't like the taste of camelbacks). Then for foods: basically you have to go with what you know will be safe and take no chances. For a C person you can have lots of trail mix type stuff, crackers and cookies of different kinds, even tabbouleh (made in AM and eaten at lunch). Fruit cups are a nice treat. There are lots of ideas.

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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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