Bananas
#25399 - 11/04/03 05:30 AM
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Ive been told by many people that bananas actually cause constipation, though its listed on here as one of the sources of soluble fibre, so is recommended for IBS. Which is true?
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sorry folks, just one more question - is sweetcorn safe or a no-no? insoluble or soluble fibre?
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Hi katgirl! I hope I don't steer you wrong, but I'm under the impression that since bananas are soluble fiber they work whichever way is needed; if you're C, they help things move along, and if you have D, they help bind you up. Soluble fiber really is an amazing thing. 
As for sweet corn, that's insoluble fiber I think, and at least for me it's not safe! Corn has given me problems enough times that I've stopped eating it. I'm pretty sure it's safer when it's been cooked and mashed, but it's still something I avoid.
Hopefully that helps you out!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Unfortunately, it's different for everyone. Bananas give me problems for some reason. I'm IBS-C and whenever I eat a banana, it seems to give me more C plus cramps without the D.. so I stay clear of them unless I mix them in a smoothie or with something else.
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- Jennifer
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Thanx guys, i suppose its different for everyone...also the specialist told me that eating three hard pears a day works wonders for constipation! Im not sure whether thats an old wives tale or anything, but im finding it difficult to gain access to three pears a day, let alone eat them!
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We seem to be all so unique in this dilemma!!!
Me too on bananas! Used to eat one nearly every day, before IBS. Not now. Even one makes me more C plus gives me a stomach ache. Now for corn I could eat corn and corn products (but not corn syrup) all day long with no affect. Go figure! From what I understand, (but don't quote me) the inside of the corn kernel is the soluble fiber and the outer is the insoluble. Don't know about you, but I for one, won't sit around peeling corn kernels anymore than I will grapes!!! 
Neighbor-----glad to hear you're not in the fire danger zone like I was………
Kandee 
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Re: Bananas
#25429 - 11/04/03 09:18 AM
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sherr1
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 586
Loc: Southern, Calif
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Bananas are soo good for you, down side they can cause gas.
They work both ways in d and c. They are good for the digestion and aid in smoothing the digestive tract. I eat them every other day usually a half sliced with a meal.
It's up to you see if your body can tolerate them and how often. Good luck.
Sherri
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God - i wish that a certain food produced the same response in everyone, then there wouldn't be all this guessing! I used to eat bananas everyday, probably more than one per day, before my acupuncturist told me to give them up as they were making my constipation worse...so i gave them up and two months down the line, without a single banana, i have even worse constipation, bloating, gas and other typical IBS symtpoms -arghhhh! so the last couple of days i have started to eat bananas again, (forgot how good they taste!) plus they are the only edible food that my Uni provides!
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Re: Bananas
#25433 - 11/04/03 09:36 AM
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sherr1
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 586
Loc: Southern, Calif
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Katgirl hang in there and remember don't eat it alone and you should be fine. Try it in something too that has insoluble food. Just watch your intake. God created us all in unique ways, take care!
Sherri
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Those who tell you bananas will make IBS worse do not understand how it works. IZt is an excellent source of soluble fiber and there is no reason not to eat them. Like all soluble fibres, they help regulate and soothe the colon. With that said, a lot of people have trouble with them. You'll just have to see how you tolerate them.
As for corn, in its normal form, it is almost completely insoluble fiber and is the most difficult thing in the world to digest. I can hardly tolerate a spoonful of it. It's sad during corn on the cob season. Some can tolerate it - but treat it with care - VERY small amounts with a safe meal.
With that said ... here's the kicker - corn in a processed form is just fine. IE cornmeal, cornbread, baked tortillas (Tostitos) are ground up making them safe to eat.
Again, you'll have to find your tolerance.
If you really miss cooked corn, you can always try pureeing some. That may help you. Otherwise, make some of Heather's Simple Sweet Cornbread - it's amazing.
Happy eating. Han.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Wow, Han.. thanks for setting my post straight. Guess I better word it better next time to make sure I say bananas are a personal problem rather than an IBS problem and that everyone is different.
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- Jennifer
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Ack, that would be horrible! Hard pears will work for constipation all right - because they would give virtually ANYONE awful diarrhea. They'll likely give someone with IBS an attack so severe they'll be doubled over in pain.
The bananas are soluble fiber - so they're helpful for both D and C. BUT - there's also something in bananas (and I can't find a source that says what) that causes GI upsets in some people. Usually it's heartburn, but for IBS folks it can also lead to the regular symptoms. So try bananas and see how you do. For most IBS folks they're a great staple.
Corn, in all whole kernel forms, has a lot of insoluble fiber in the kernel. The interior is soluble fiber. Cooking and pureeing the corn (or using something like canned creamed corn) can make things a lot easier - still use in small amounts with soluble fiber foods though. Ground cornmeal or polenta, or baked corn chips, are just fine.
- 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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Heather - I always heard that bananas were a natural antacid, and they helped heartburn. I did a quick search online, and this same info came up a lot: web page
Is this just a myth? 
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No, I don't think it's a myth. I think some people are exceptions, but I don't know why. That's what's so annoying. Bananas are one of the most GI-tolerable foods around - except for those people who have problems! Why, I don't know.
- 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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Also pineapple and pineapple juice. I used to LOVE these exp. the juices!!!!!! Isn't this citrus...I mean the pineapple? W/Gerds to I can't do citrus like lemon, lime, es. grapefruit. UGH, anyway to grapefruit! What abt cranberries and juice?
I don't drink any fruit juice cause think the FRUCTOSE REALLY bothers my IBS & GERDS.
Corn is REALLY OK???? I sta y away from all soy stuff.....a chick pea w/send me rite to you know where......! As will 1 strawberry or grape!!!!!
If corn chips ok...baked, right?, what can I put on em as can't have spicy like salsa? 
Is cantalope/honeydew ok???
Marnie
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Re: Fruits
#25654 - 11/05/03 11:47 AM
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Heather
Reged: 12/09/02
Posts: 7799
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Hi - most fruits have a lot of insoluble fiber. Cooking them or blending them will minimize this. Many fruits (and especially fruit juices) are high in fructose, and that can cause GI problems. Choosing fresh fruit is better than the juice. Citrus fruits are acidic - acidic foods can trigger IBS and, more likely, GERD. Pineapple is also acidic. Try to find fruits that you can tolerate - bananas, mangoes, peaches, apricots - and cook with them or blend into smoothies. Strawberries and grapes have a lot of insoluble fiber - so those might not be good choices for you. Whatever you do, make sure you have a soluble fiber base when you eat fruit.
Corn is okay IF it's processed in some way to minimize the insoluble fiber. Corn meal, cornbread, or pureed whole corn will work. If you have a problem with something like baked corn chips, this would point to a food allergy, not IBS.
You can get lots of mild salsas, or make your own. Same thing for guacamole. Check Eating for IBS for lots of salsa recipes, or the recipe index here on the boards. You could always follow a recipe that is spicy but just omit the hot spices. Most herbs and spices are digestive aids. The "hot" spices have capsicain - things like jalapenos, habaneros, all your hot peppers. These are pretty much the only spices that could affect IBS negatively. So omit them, and use mild spices instead.
You might also find that with low fat, soluble fiber foods you do okay with spicier options. Often when people have had bad experiences with spicy foods, it's not the spice at all but the meat/dairy/fat that's in there - things like Mexican food with ground beef and cheese, or deep fried corn chips with spicy salsa, or Thai curries with coconut milk and peppers. You could take out the spice completely and these foods would still trigger IBS attacks.
Best,
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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Tks Heather, You are a Godsend!!!! Am finding thru your info that this diet is ALSO GREAT for people w/cornary atery disease!!!! My hubby just underwent angioplasty, unfortunately but was VERY LUCKY!!!!!!!
In truth, EVERYONE should eat tlike this for their hearts too........, as this is just what they are telling him to eat!!!!!!!!!!,so am going to write this to the board.....!!!!!!!
Marnie
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Don't worry about it. I still get stuff mixed up. We're all learning here. 
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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