To think I can never eat chips again?

[Nomorechips]

Morning Mumsnetters! Just been diagnosed with IBS. Looking on the bright side I don't have the diarrhoea type just the constipation. I also have lower stomach pain right side, headaches, frequent weeing (lovely!) and tiredness. Sadly weight gain! Have been looking up what I should avoid food wise and says oven chips! Anyone out there with IBS with any advice please? Is the IBS network worth paying for? Low Fodmap any help? It's a mine field out there. So many books but which are helpful? I just want a chip sandwich now....

Get your own fryer, OP.

Make your own chips or buy frozen ones.

They're 100 times tastier than oven chips anyway.

IBS network subscription gives access to a specialist IBS nurse which would be invaluable to you with this new diagnosis.

IBS is an illness which effects many people differently.

I suppose it's a balancing act. I mean if you fancy chips as a one off treat and are prepared for some stomach pain after then you need to decide whether it's worth it?

Perhaps instead of focusing on what you can't have, concentrate on how much better you'll feel and all the benefits? After a while on a different diet you probably won't want to eat oven chips all the time, it won't appeal.

The chips thing was on the very small info sheet I was given by a gastroentrologist.

Smiley I'm not so bothered about the chips really it was just a way to attract attention to my post. You're right though I'm being positive about it as it could've been something serious and the IBS diagnosis although a catch all when they don't know what else it could be, at least I can manage it with diet management and exercise.

Oh right I'll forgive your click baity title then

You're right to try to be positive. It's a pain in the arse (pun) trying to work out what you can and cannot eat- mostly trial and error really and that takes time. It should improve over time if you're following advice given.
Definitely pursue further diagnosis if nothing you do improves your symptoms though.

I don't eat chippie chips but if I do make my own, I have to eat them early , they give me reflux
Also, weirdly , peanut butter . One spoonful will give me a night of acid reflux

I have diverticulitis -
Main aggressors-
dairy
bread
onions

I'm vegetarian . I eat minimal cheddar (causes pain where my gallbladder used to live)

I'm a bloody catch me

Different people have different triggers when it comes to IBS. I have IBS-D and my main triggers are pasta, fried stuff and most vegetables. Potatoes are fine with me.

What exercise do you do, OP? Some gentle yoga can do wonders for your digestion. Also it's mind and body. If I'm stressed it goes right to my stomach.

Keep a food diary and see what foods might be triggers. Eat mindfully and slowly and see how your food goes down. Make sure you are well-hydrated and drink water with food. For me it's bread and meat, especially white bread and red meat.

I'm pescetarian now and don't have any dairy other than small amounts of butter, and avoid bread or baked goods. Flat bread and crackers seem to go down ok.

Sometimes onions and garlic can irritate me, but mostly just if I eat too much onion chutney or pickles! Alcohol and caffeine can also be triggers, they are ok in moderation for me. Some people can't get on with beans and pulses but I find they go down really well.

Gluten free oven chips seem fine for my friend with the same type of IBS

Everyone is different really, just keep a food diary and start noticing what your triggers are for pain, bloating etc! Just because chips are on the list from the gastroenterologist, doesn't mean it'll be a problem for you - they might be just fine. Experiment with stuff. Like a PP said, green veg is a big problem for me, as are legumes, onions and garlic. And cashew nuts. And agave syrup. See, weird!

The other thing is, triggers change and evolve. In my 20s, any type of chips would cause me terrible cramps and bloating and I avoided them for years. In my 40s I discovered that I could eat them again with no consequences, had them last night in fact.

I've had IBS-D for 30 years. It's just one of those things, you do get used to it - on an "IBS day" as we call it in this house, I'll be on the loo multiple times a day. But it no longer makes me (especially) anxious - I've even had attacks whilst on site with clients, and mostly you just pray people won't notice.

There is a good FB group, lots of people sharing experiences and often hilarious stories. I hope you start feeling better soon.

Low fodmap definitely the way to go.

Download the Monash Uni fodmap app.

Fodmap is also about portion control as some things are OK in small quantities, but can cause issues in larger quantities. Like broccoli. At 3/4 cup you are OK. Any more and it becomes high fodmaps = tummy issues. The stalks are high in fodmaps, so best avoided.

Read up on stacking fodmaps

Follow for 4-6 weeks minimum before reintroduction, and don't stop just because symptoms stop.

Do not reintroduce every few days. Each re-introduction should be done in 3 steps, over three days. Increasing amounts each day. Symptoms can take up to 24 hrs to show up.

Have a break for a few days, and the start another re-introduction.

You can make your own chips, no need to avoid. Potatoes don't have fodmaps in them. What you cook them in causes issues as does their coating (lots of places coat in wheat flour etc)

Be careful with probiotics, they can contain fodmaps.

Chocolate contains fodmaps. Go with dark chocolate if you can.

If Kifur is fermented, it is best to avoid on the elimination round, fermented food are not good for a low fod diet. One you know your triggers, you might be able to tolerate it.

I used to suffer IBD D&C, but my diarrhea has stopped mostly now, because I follow lo-fo all the time. I used to think going between D7C was normal for me, but it wasn't.

Pasta that is wheat based is a no on lo-fo until the re-intro phase.

D7C = D&C

Pysillium husks in water, and btw it's chip BUTTY not sandwich ...

There’s no point to FODMAP if you don’t have problems with those particular foods though.

I don’t have problems with many FODMAP foods - but do have problems with gluten grains esp wheat, cows dairy, cheese in general, dark chocolate, vinegar, soy sauce, fried or oily foods.

You need to research what is specifically problematic for you.

Some Pysillium husks can be fermented, so be careful in the elimination phase with these.

@TatianaLarina

All that stuff you mentioned contain fodmaps. And have too many at once, or too close together is called stacking.

You need to research what is specifically problematic for you.

The point is, no one knows what their triggers are unless they eliminate foods and reintroduce. Following a LO-FO diet is the easiest way to "research what is specifically problematic" for you.

Be aware op that symptoms will start approx 24 hours after consumption of a food, so what is bloating you now isn't necessarily what you last ate.

Can you eat celeriac? I can't have chips due to another condition, but make celeriac chips instead which taste almost as good.

1/4 celariac is ok. Bigger serves contain mainnitol

Fermentable - Process through which gut bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrate to produce gases.

Oligosaccharides - Fructans & GOS - found in foods such as wheat, rye, onions, garlic and legumes/pulses.

Disaccharides - Lactose - found in dairy products like milk, soft cheeses and yogurts.

Monosaccharides - Fructose - found in honey, apples, high fructose corn syrups, etc.

Polyols - Sorbitol and Mannitol - Found in some fruit and vegetables and used as artificial sweeteners.

Thanks. Think this is a bit of a challenge then! 70isaLimitNotaTarget I love your user name. It's exactly what I say about speed limits and haven't heard anyone else say it. Also to Juliette to both of you I'm also pescatarian and lactose free. Differentnameforthis what's stacking fodmaps ? Gingham you're right but I'm in the south so it's sandwich or sarnie here! As it's in bread not a roll is the difference I suspect. I expect there's been a thread or 2 on that alone. To the liquorice poster- thanks. Sorry scared to scroll back incase I lose this post I'm writing. Smiley yeah looks like I've finally cracked the code to getting some responses to a post! You know, I woke up this morning with bad stomach pain and a terrible headache and now I feel so much happier as you've all been so kind and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Had these symptoms for at least a year and didn't connect them all. Thank you all so much. There's no one else I know who has it and it's not the easiest to discuss. I might even join a Facebook group if I can find one (and if brave enough to join!)

I have IBS and my triggers are UHT milk, cereals, anything that combines high fat and high carb eg pizza, and too much shit food, so if I bing on chocolate, popcorn etc I will suffer. Everone is different though, so elimination and reintroduction will help identify your triggers.

All that stuff you mentioned contain fodmaps. And have too many at once, or too close together is called stacking.

But as I said I don’t have a problem with many FODMAP foods - all the vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, dried fruit, onions, garlic etc - all fine.

The point is, no one knows what their triggers are unless they eliminate foods and reintroduce.

Elimination is a bit hit and miss ime, you need to observe your reactions over time.