Should I continue with low carbing given that it seems to be causing me stomach problems?

[Lottieandmia]

I started doing Atkins a while back. The results have been amazing. I've been sleeping better, had much more energy and have gone from 8 stone 12 to 8 stone which is exactly what I wanted. Also I have a much nicer shape than I usually have when I've lost weight. The weight seems to have gone from my waist and bottom but not my hips so I have more of a shape.

Unfortunately though my IBS has flared up big time. I have been in so much pain that I had to go to the GP and get medication for it. Am I right to put it down to the high fat in the diet? Ironically I wanted to try this diet because I heard it could actually help IBS. But now it is worse than ever!

Any advice?

[ppeatfruit]

congrats on the loss lottie do you eat pork products? because they do no good for anyone's gut. Maybe you should use olive oil instead of butter too. Try it for a few weeks and see how you get on.

[Lottieandmia]

I'm not eating much pork. I already use good quality olive oil and limited butter I found that carbs made me very bloated.

[ppeatfruit]

I would give up all pork products and see how you go. Maybe have some fruit and plenty of veg. How are you with chicken? some people are allergic to that as well

[ppeatfruit]

I couldn't cope with Atkins at all We're all different.

[Lottieandmia]

I am missing fruit terribly. I think that is what I am missing the most at the moment.

[Lottieandmia]

Thanks for your advice btw

[BuzzardBird]

You can eat strawberries and blueberries though. It could be the fats causing the IBS to flare I guess? Do you use cream? It doesn't suit me at all.

[BuzzardBird]

Oooo, just thought, the oily fish gives me trouble, as does eggs if I over do it.

[Lottieandmia]

I've added in blueberries and have been having cream in coffee. I have gone right off eggs - I think if I see another one I'm going to vomit tbh!

[ppeatfruit]

One idea with fruit is to eat it on an empty stomach. Now you've reached your target you could gradually reintroduce it. I lost nearly 3 stone and am maintaining; I eat low carb (no wheat) but I a lot of fruit and veg. Some goats cheese but no cows milk or cheese. Also no meat, some salmon though.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

That's weird. what did yiour gp think? You mention fat - wouldn't that suggest the pain was something like gall stones rather than ibs?

Have you been eating lots of windy greens or things like onions with the meat? Maybe you need some starchy veg now? The other thing is maybe drink more water? some stuff here on different causes of ibs and ibs

[Lottieandmia]

Giraffe - I've always been prone to IBS though. It may just be stress related.

[giraffeseatpineapples]

Yes could be. Hope things get better soon.
the link described how dep on the type of ibs you have different foods will effect it. By cutting carbs you might have increased nuts or green veg or something irritating? Hope you start to feel better soon

[BIWI]

This is odd - people usually report that their IBS gets better with low carbing.

Can I ask you how much fibre you're eating? Are you getting your carbs from vegetables and salad? And are you drinking plenty of water?

[lottieandmia]

Yes, I was eating 20g of carbs a day and at first was getting 15 g from veg or salad or both then I gradually increased the carb intake, was still loosing weight. If didn't want to get under 8 stone.

I've been drinking 4 litres of a water a day - no issues there.

I am the vainest person ever and will do anything to be thin but this diet just does not work for my body. The thought of any meat right now makes me feel sick, even chicken. It's a real shame because at first I felt good. But I am not going to keep on making myself feel ill. I'll have to try something a bit different.