Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi, and welcome to the board! I would love to hear from other people in this situation - I don't think it's all that uncommon. Some things that might help:

Make your carbs count, by focusing on the ones that are complex (not simple) and are highest in soluble fiber (brown rice, pasta, barley, oatmeal)

Avoid sugar and other refined sweeteners - they're just empty carbs and certainly not necessary for helping IBS

Make sure you're using a soluble fiber supplement, which will stabilize IBS without adding any carbs. Choose an unsweetened, unflavored variety like Equalactin or Fibercon pills, Benefiber powder, or unflavored Citrucel powder. Start at 1 t twice daily and work up to 2 T twice daily. Having an extra glass or two of the pills before a meal is a great way to keep your soluble fiber high, without having to eat as much soluble fiber food (which is usually high carb)

Do be extra careful to keep your fat content low, and avoid all trigger foods

Make sure your proteins are safe for IBS - seafood, soy, skinless white poultry meat, pureed well-cooked beans or lentils

Watch out for sweetened beverages - they're a huge source of hidden carb calories from sugar - drink IBS helpful herbal teas instead (peppermint, chamomile, fennel, ginger)

- Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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