Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: What the heck! What can I eat?

I know exactly what you are talking about. My GI docs have dismissed these symptoms too. Recent advances in the understanding of IBS indicate that there can be sub-clinical inflammation processes active in the bowel of some IBSers. Chemical and mechanical irritants such as byproducts produced by the fermentation of indigestible food in the bowel or cereal bran may stimulate the inflammation causing symptoms you described. They usually pass within a few hours.

For me two things are guaranteed to cause these symptoms: (a) too much insoluble fiber, particularly from bran, raw or unpeeled veggies, nuts, seeds, fruits and salads and (b) foods with excess fructose such as apples, pears, honey, HFCS, etc. Since I eliminated these from my diet I rarely have these symptoms. Previously they would occur almost daily sometimes with chills and sweats too.

I have base diet that I use when I travel or when I have a flare-up. Oatmeal w/banana & brown sugar for breakfast and grilled chicken breast or fish, white rice and soft boiled peeled carrots for lunch and supper. Snacks consist of toasted sourdough bread with berry jam and Kettle low salt, low fat potato chips. Heather describes a break the cycle diet which may give you some clues.

Gum Arabic and acacia are the same thing. Gum Arabic is frequently called gum acacia. It is a commonly used as a thickening agent.

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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

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