Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Dropping Diet Coke Suggestions

I often wonder why we as a society have become so dependent on "chemical" food instead of natural food. Why is diet coke or some other pop so crucial in our diet? It doesn't matter whether you have IBS or not, no pop -- sugar or diet --is healthy. The ingredients are horrifying to say the least, especially the artificial sweetener used in diet pop.

I don't think there is a good, IBS-safe substitute for diet coke. I don't think replacing diet Coke with another pop, flat or not, is really a good idea. The best bet (although not the one your daughter will like) is room temperature bottled water or a hot thermos with some peppermint, fennel or chamomile tea.

The bottom line is having IBS forces many of us to give up "junk food" and eat more natural food. It's a difficult road to travel, but worth it if you feel better. It is particularly difficult for children and teens to eat a more natural diet because we learn from an early age to eat fatty, processed, chemical-filled food and there is a lot of support/reinforcement (peer pressure, advertising, etc.) for eating that kind of food as you grow up. On the other hand, if you eat natural, chemical-free food, you have a better chance at being healthy and maybe even not be overweight, and your IBS may be under better control.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's my two cents worth on this subject! I hope your daughter finds something that she can drink that won't make her feel too deprived.

Belinda

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