Fasting and IBS

[ScrumpyBetty]

Can I intermittent fast (was thinking 5.2) if I have IBS?
Would like to try IF. But have bad IBS flare ups and am worried fasting will make it worse.
Anyone had any experiences?
Thanks

I have a colleague who has made a remarkable difference with intermittent fasting and now rarely has flare ups and can eat things he wasn't able to eat before.
I tried it but it didn't make any difference to me.

I think as IBS is so personal no one can tell how much it will help or not. It don't think it will necessarily make it any worse. Maybe worth trying when you have a couple of quiet days/a week to see how you react

That's interesting @singlepringlenotbychoice, I guess it makes sense that everyone is different and will react differently to it.

My colleague was really bad, pretty much everything set him off, he had to eat a really restricted diet just to try and stop flares which there didn't seem to be any pattern to

He fast 16hrs normally starting to eat around mid day. He now eats pretty much everything except cheese. He's also lost around 2st on weight although that's just a happy coincidence. He wasn't particularly overweight.

My IBS isn't as bad but it just didn't have any benefits for me

I combine IF with low carb Mediterranean and my IBS has all but disappeared. I find I can now tolerate a monthly cheat meal without to much suffering.

My stomach is a lot less bloated when intermittent fasting but that might be due to the natural reduction in meal sizes and calories in general that goes alongside it. My stomach hates everything I eat but I do find letting it rest from 6pm to 7.30am allows it to settle.

I've been low carbing and only eating from 1800 and my full on IBS has completely gone.

What are you eating normally/the rest of the time though? For me, it was significantly reducing the carbs that sorted out my IBS.

I do normally not eat from 6-7.30 @DirtOnThePlough and I think that helps. My IBS is not constant, maybe one flare up a month

@BIWI
I'm fairly healthy, porridge for breakfast, lunch and dinner lots of veg.
I do eat carbs, probably too many but I'm also really active and have a job where on my feet all day. I can't get my head around low carb and get anxious about not having enough energy!

You would be getting your energy from burning your body fat, as well as the fat you're eating - because low carb = high fat!

Fasting didn't change IBS but gluten free has made it totally disappear

@ScrumpyBetty I started low carbing to lose weight. I had no idea it would have such a positive impact on my IBS. It was a real game changer for me.

That's interesting thanks @BIWI
I'm veggie which I think would make it difficult for me to go low carb. I suppose I would have to eat lots of nuts/cheese/ avocados etc if healthy fats?

It's not impossible - Rose Elliott has written a low carb vegetarian plan. It's definitely easier if you eat meat or fish, but can be done.

I did 16:8 and it really helped with the IBS. I've found over time that it doesn't fit my life very well so I've had to stop but it was good while it lasted.