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....

If you can afford to then I recommend becoming a member they're very supportive; not every organisation on FB is active but they are is what I meant, sorry if I came across as patronising.

Beccadidn't think you came across as patronising. I found the Facebook one and loads of others but haven't had another look yet as had to join on fb. It really hadn't occurred to me to look on fb. I hope I didn't come across as being sarcastic. I hardly use fb just mn for my info and socialising!

My Dsis has IBS and suffered for years. I've been advising low fibre, cutting carbs, dairy etc for years. She finally has and all the symptoms have stopped, but she says she's miserable!

yellow surely she can an occasional treat? Keep reading about gradually reintroducing foods and then finding out that some can be tolerated. For me I'll just be glad to be rid of the pain (and wind!)

Pressed too early. Just read on the fb ibs network fact sheet that you shouldn't expect to follow ibs diet in total but that 70% good enough.

Definitely worth trying to identify your triggers. My IBS can be pretty horrific (think no sleep for days if eating the wrong thing), but it turns out that the list of things that trigger it is actually really short.

For me potatoes are a problem, but only if they’re cooked and then heated up again, such as is the case with oven chips...Reheating changes the structure of the carbohydrates which is what causes the problem for those who are sensitive to it. I think the same applies to any cooked starch that’s reheated, such as toast, reheated pasta etc 😣 But weirdly I’m absolutely fine with anything that’s only been cooked once.

I recommend that you keep a food diary and track your symptoms and see if you can find a link

Thanks Crazzzycat that makes sense about the reheating. I had visions of a list of things I have to avoid but maybe not that bad then.

Hi
I suffer from really bad Ibs. It gets to the point I just don't want to eat before work because of it. Today, I had awful abdominal pains. I tend to take loperamide for the dihorea and it really helps but if I don't take it I feel like I really need the loo. I find crisps have a bad effect and greasy foods. Some chocolate too.

Hi why I can sympathise as I too have had bad bloating today and discomfort. I've read that it takes 24 hours to get the symptoms. Is that what you've found and been able to pinpoint the food that affects you? Been keeping a food diary last couple of days so not obvious for me yet.

It's the FODMAPs in food that affect you, so you really need to be able to drill down to undertand what is in each food item. The app is really helpful for this, as it will show you what is in each food. Then you can work out triggers from there.

For example: Broccoli
Whole vegetable
FODMAP rating: LOW overall at a typical serve of 1 cup.

Heads only
FODMAP rating: LOW overall at a typical serve of 1 cup.

Stalks only
FODMAP rating: HIGH in excess fructose at a typical serve of 1 cup, but LOW at a smaller serve of ½ cup.

Summary: In regular broccoli, the main FODMAP present is excess fructose and this is found predominantly in the stalks. Avoid large servings of broccoli stalks alone (>65g) if you are sensitive to excess fructose (use whole broccoli instead)

FODMAPs are:

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.

Also be aware that it can take a while for existing symptoms to settle down, even when you start the FODMAP diet, which is why they advise 4/6 weeks minimum.