Found a way of eating that eases my IBS, but is it balanced?

[Meadowmeal]

Hope this is the right section for this post!

I have struggled with ibs for some years, and never found low fodmaps or exclusions to help. For some reason the overthinking made it worse, so I have just resolved to go with what feels right at any given time.

Past week I fancied something different. What I didn't expect was for my bloat to go down, my discomfort to ease and to feel generally just better in general. I will give you a sample of a 'dinner' from this week so that you can get an idea what it looks like. My other meals haven't changed.

Small poached salmon slice (70g) with ice cream sized scoop of seasoned sushi rice. Dash of soy sauce and small handful of cooked green beans.
On a plate at the side I might have a couple of segments of apple and pear, a small scatter of mixed nuts, mixed olives, a few cubes of feta and 2 dried figs.

I might alter that the next day with a few seeded crackers, sliced egg, ham, cream cheese, avocado and tomatoes. Again with a mix of nuts, fruit and seeds.
Variations include roast chicken slices, eggs, tuna, sardines, blueberries, cucumber, etc.
I am satiated and love the range of tastes!

I was previously eating mixed cooked meals with much more hot veg such as broccoli and carrots, potatoes & meat. I have no intention of stopping that but would like to mix traditional meals through the week with the way of eating above.
Would appreciate everyones thoughts about that, does it sound ok or has my gut addled mind warped my perception?
I am happy to hear tips about how to alter it to get more fiber, etc.
One caveat: I don't do well with most grains.

Sounds balanced to me.

Yes, sounds great. I wonder what it is that makes the difference?

What’s your weight like?

Weight is fine, think my BMI is around 21. I am quite active.

I don't known exactly why I feel better, I expected it to not fill me or feel lacking but the range of stuff is quite filling and deceptively satiating. I previously considered nuts and fruit as snacks and never as part of a larger meal. It reminds me of the Japanese way of having a few small bowls of different stuff, with a carb, some protein and other bits.

I do worry about fiber though, although I don't intend to eat like this all week long.

how do you intend to eat on the days you don’t eat like this?

Hot meals i think.
So maybe baby potatoes with peppers, tomato and brocolli baked in oven with chicken or fish. So kind of like regular hot meals all on one plate. Also maybe spaghetti & pesto with courgette, pepper, mushrooms, parmesan, + protein, etc.

I am not aware of any food allergies or sensitivities, but I do get a lot of gas when I eat traditional hot meals. It's almost like the 'finger food' style works better for some reason.

But won’t you suffer on those days?

the diet is not meant to be the odd day here and there

Not sure I'd call it a diet, just something I noticed this week after not being in the mood for my usual stuff.

My usual, hot meals don't so much harm me as just tend to come with some level of gas and discomfort, it's very vague and I have never been able to isolate any type of irritant. My doctor thinks it has a large stress component, which I agree with. But I can't mistake the change this week, I am usually always bloody bloated. Even my face looks less bloated today. Maybe it's a fluke! Who knows.

The hot meals seem to be high in nightshades while the cold ones aren't. Could nightshades be the problem?

This sounds fine. I’m not really sure what sounds odd about it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have digestive issues (pancreatic insufficiency) and I eat very similarly to what you’ve described. It sounds like you’re including a lot more diverse and nutrient rich foods and a lot more whole foods. That sounds great. Probably how we should all be eating.

Nuts, seeds, beans, apple, pears are all good source of roughage so you seem to have that covered.

Your sample salmon meal has no gluten and no cows milk. You have feta in one meal listed - is that goat/sheep milk or cows milk?

Could be this. I recently discovered I’m sensitive to nightshades. I already avoided dairy but I’ve cut out potatoes, tomatoes and peppers too and it’s made a big difference.

I manage my IBS but eating small meals, staying away from legumes or grains. Some of the new meals in my opinion are perfect to help reduce symptoms, it would work for me. It’s a relief when you finally find a way of eating that may work long term.

Thanks everyone.
I don't think I have any intolerances, I am fine with peppers, chilli's, potatoes. And i do prefer cows milk yes!

@mindutopia I hadn't looked at it quite that way and you may be right, I think it felt slightly unusual to use fruit as opposed to typical dinner veggies such as broccoli or beans, etc.

Were you having gravy or another type of sauce on the hot meals?

no, just evoo, bit of mayo or pesto.

I had spagetti with ham, mushroom and courgette yesterday and had wind all night nothing terrible but quite bloated. I am a staunch defender of wheat and carbs so feel a bit...deflated, lol.

no idea why the recent way of eating worked. I have been fine eating wheat in cracker form. Maybe it's the volume of a larger hot meal that upsets my gut? No idea really. Gut seems to prefer small bites so -as long as same calories and nutrients I suppose it's fine.