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Emma Brown
Nutritionist
Janet Aylott
Nutritionist
Kelly Marshall
Fitness Consultant
Hi, I am having a hard time eating healthy foods with my irritable bowel. If I eat more fruit and veg I end up having alot of cramps and the runs. I have continued eating the healthy foods but find I am extremely tired after each epsiode. Which does not leave much room for exercise. I have a lactose intolerance as well. I can have cheese once every month. I can have it for a week but no more than that. When I have a very bad day, I tend to eat carbohydrates to fill up my stomach. It is annoying, I have had this for 6 years. I am now getting annoyed as I do want to lose the weight, but find it is a huge hassle. I tend to eat rice as it is easier to eat and easier on my bowel. Last week I had gained 1lb rather than lose a lb. I am trying to be positive but it can be crippling on the confidence section. If you could recommend anything for me I would appreciate it or if anybody else is going through the same and can share thank you. Thanks
Hi Christine,
I'm sorry to hear that you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as this can be a painful and unpredictable condition. IBS symptoms arise through abnormal spasms of the gut wall which can be related to stress. They can include abdominal cramps, bloating, wind and alternating constipation and diarrhea.
It is surprisingly common and it is estimated that around 15% of the population have, or have had, this condition. IBS can be very difficult to manage, so I really feel for you having to cope with this as well as trying to lose weight. But, don’t despair as over time, I am sure you will find a new diet and way of eating that will help with both issues.
Different IBS sufferers will find different dietary approaches suit them, so a little trial and error is needed in finding a routine that best eases individual symptoms, I'm sure you have tried various methods of to manage your symptoms already. The beauty of keeping a food diary as you do when using our website is that you can also make a note of when you experience symptoms which means you have a documented record of food and symptoms helping you discover which foods are a problem for you. In the meantime, here are some tips which seem to help the majority of sufferers:
Each day, use the Diary Notes section on the food page to note down how you are feeling and any symptoms you experience. Over time, you may well start to see a pattern emerging between certain foods and symptoms. You can then try removing these foods from your diet for a week or so and see if you feel better.
Regarding your lactose intolerance, I am sure you know this, but there are a number of substitutes for dairy products. For alternatives to milk, try soya or rice milk - these are available as unsweetened milks. Dairy-free margarine and plain soya yoghurt are also good substitutes. Take a look at the websitewww.wheatanddairyfree.com for some more ideas and inspiration.
I hope this helps and wish you well.
Regards
Angela
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