Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Soluble fiber and hydration

Eating as much insoluble fiber as possible is important. For some of us in order to minimize the IBS symptoms we have to eat as little insoluble fiber as possible and as much soluble fiber as possible. I don't eat greens. In fact the only veggies I can eat are boiled carrots and small amounts of well cooked zucchini and sweet potato. That is about it. However, soon I am going to start experimenting with well cooked cauliflower and peeled broccoli. Whole fruit is almost out of the question except for bananas. The seeds in berries are a big problem that is why I resorted to using berry juice as source of vitamins and antioxidants.

I have not found a magic formula for determining how much insoluble fiber to eat. Generally speaking it seems IBS-D individuals do not tolerate insoluble fiber as well as those with IBS-C. However, it is really important to get as much soluble fiber in the form or resistant starches and other functional fibers like those you get from things like oatmeal, banana, rice, pasta, potatoes and foods containing pectin. It is a real balancing act but when I stick with this sort of diet I have 1 or 2 well formed BM each day. If I have just a bit too much IF or something high in FODMAPs then I start to have mushy and poorly formed BM a few times a day.

Say if you are interested in reading the new article I direct you to last week about the recently published diet from the Australian group here is a link to it at MedScape Evidence-based dietary management of functional gastrointestinal symptoms: The FODMAP approach. You have to register to gain access to the article. This version is missing the table which has good information about safe and unsafe foods. If you are interested I can post the table here for you.

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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

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