Does Heather's diet truly work for constipation.
#259356 - 04/20/06 09:06 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have constipation and bloating troubles and was thinking about giving her diet a shot. I just bought the book today. Does it really work for IBS-C? The doctor tells me to eat fiber (regardless of what kind). Are there any modifications I should make to her diet for IBS-C or does it truly work for IBS-C and IBS-D?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
bump
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
In my opinion, yes, it does. I'm an A myself, but I know of at least several C'ers (who don't post here much anymore, so I'm speaking for them) for whom the diet has really worked.
I can't stress enough the importance of knowing the difference between soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, so if there's one thing I can say that it's really important for C'ers to know, it's that. You should start for a few days only eating the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" diet - soluble only. This will NOT stabilize you. In fact, you might not feel any better. What this WILL do is keep any potential trigger foods out of your system, so that when you start adding things back in, you'll have a "clean slate" to work with.
Your goal should be to eat as much insoluble fiber as you can get away with, adding foods in gradually, and always eating them with a soluble fiber "cushion". One of the common misconceptions on this board is that insoluble fiber foods are "bad". SO not true! You need them for a healthy diet in general, and you definitely need them for bowel health, so don't fall into the trap of that way of thinking! Just remember that soluble fiber base, and to take things slowly, and you should find gradual improvement.
The last word of advice: be patient! It honestly took me over a year to stabilize, but it was completely worth it. Trust me on this one!
Good luck! 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
To be completely honest, it does not uniformly work for C's
like it does for D's. There are very few D's that it doesn't
work for, like maybe two percent. Personally, I haven't heard
of any that it doesn't work for. The diet "as is" probably
doesn't work for a third of the C's. The basic guide lines do,
but often you have to do some significant modifaction of the
diet. By the way, what is it that you can't think of? And
welcome to the boards! -Bob
--------------------
<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I am a "C" and the diet specifically has not worked for me...I am not unfamiliar to balancing SF and IF...what I have learned from this site is to idenitfy my own triggers and not concern myself with others triggers as they are not all the same. The common denominator seems to be dairy, red meat and fried food.
There is a wealth of information on the boards...do searches and ask questions and you will be well on your way to finding your path to stability. I did...
--------------------
Have a blessed day! Rachel
Formerly poochibelly...
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
For me, personally, it has not helped so far (almost 2 years). I keep trying to tweak it, though. I just don't know what else to try.
I agree with Rachel...read the boards and you'll get a much broader range of experiences. For some, it has worked. For others, not. It certainly is worth a try....and you'll know if it's right for you.
Do you take an SFS?
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I have to agree with the other C's, it hasn't worked for me either but there is information in the book that can help you. I've also been finding that dairy, red meat and rice are big triggers for me. Bread causes gas so I've eliminated that as well. I'm currently eating a lot of vegtables and anything else that I can find that doesn't seem to cause a problem. Drinking a ton of water has also helped.
--------------------
Jon - (IBS C)
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I know D's who it hasn't worked for, Bob.
--------------------
~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I can tell you my experience with the diet... and I've been tweaking it for over a year now. I was a HARDCORE C.. and I used to eat lots of organic fruits/veggies daily. No red meat, low fat very healthy diet. Sadly, for me, cutting out almost all of my IF is what helps me to go. I am very well educated in nutrition (studied it in college) and have tried all means of IF- pureed, babyfood, cushioned by SF. It continues to be my greatest trigger. I have to take mega laxatives when I eat veggies. This was just my experience- everyone truly is different- so try to block out the people who tell you "YOU MUST" do this or that... read the boards and absorb some of the trials & errors we have all gone thru. You kind of have to find what your personal triggers are. But I can tell you that for me, when I am really C- I have to go totally SF.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi there. Heather's diet has worked wonders for me to stop the bloating, the pain and the gas. I am still constipated but I have only been doing the diet for a month now and honestly, have not incorporated IF into my diet yet. It took me about a month to feel stable enough to risk this introduction. I am so hoping that once I add IF into the diet, I will start being more regular and stop the C.
Give it a try, use Acacia, use peppermint teas, etc.
Good luck!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
