Low fibre diet for digestion problems

[Eckhart]

I've had IBS-like symptoms for years, sometimes very painful, often inconvenient and intrusive in my life. Every time I've seen the doctor, they've recommended more fibre, and often given me fibre supplements. I have used these, failed to recover, and they usually just give in and say 'sod it, I'm going to live on chocolate', and then after a bit, I'm better. I read something recently about low fibre diets, and am giving it a try - it's nothing short of a miracle.

Has anyone else had experience of this? I feel like I can only eat the things we're all told not to eat, but at the same time, I feel like the medical profession doesn't know what it's talking about. Why aren't doctors even considering it? It's so simple...

I am currently following the lowfodmap diet to help my ibs.

I did give low fibre a try but I didn’t think it helped as whilst it did give me less bowel movements I started to struggle having them which made me feel worse.

Ibs is very hard to workout though so you may find that it helps you.

@Eckhart I'm the same, when my IBS flares a low residue /low fibre diet is what helps. Stress is a big trigger for me but so too are vegetables, especially ones I really like such as peppers, courgettes, aubergines.
I do eat them sometimes but only if I don't have any plans to be anywhere.

Years ago I tried all kinds of exclusion diets and reintroduced things and I think with time you do get to know what will agree with your body or not and what you can get away with eating. Time of the month plays a part too, IBS is worse then so I play it safe.
Just be careful that you are getting all the nutrients you need.

Yes I've had the same - my GP saying 'eat more fibre' as if its the holy grail. It really isn't - it just made things worse. Over the years I've found specific triggers - beans, fruit with skin (including tomato skins - they come out in exactly the same form as they went in and seem to wrap themselves around my bowel on the way out). Seeded bread is also the work of the devil for me.

Just be careful that you are getting all the nutrients you need

This concerns me. I seem to be in a position where I have to choose either a painful diet or one that doesn't nourish me adequately. I'm in the long, slow process of trying to work out my triggers/what I can safely eat, but it's so odd, after so many years of trying to eat more fruit and veg, to be only allowing myself one satsuma (or something) in a day, amongst the white bread and cheese etc.

Carnivore diet. Sounds scary at first but it took care of all of my digestion issues and I was able to reintroduce a lot. Vegetables are overrated!

@LongPauseNoAnswer Any suggestions re constipation? (sorry, what a question, when we've only just met!)

And, do you mean, you did a stint of carnivore diet, but now you eat other stuff too? How did you go about re-introducing things?

@Eckhart I never got constipated on it. I pooped a lot less which is not the same thing. Making sure you take electrolyte replacement is essential.

I was keto for a while and then went carnivore because my digestion was so bad. 3 months carnivore and it was much better. Now I do carnivore Monday to Friday and do more keto low carb on the weekend. I still stay away from most vegetables because they make me feel unwell.

I reintroduced slowly. I was working with a keto coach and she helped me with the reintroduction process. I was able to see clearly the foods that were triggering IBS.

Thanks, LongPause, that's really helpful. I'll investigate carnivore. I was veggie for so many years on principle, and still have the same principles, but I just can't do it anymore. I've been literally on my knees with pain at times.

It's bad luck that many nutritious fibre rich foods commonly cause inflammation in the body. If you Google Whole 30 or inflammatory foods, you'll see things like tomatoes, nightshades and broccoli on there.
Whole30 combined with 16:8 can identify them over a few weeks.
But glad you found something that works for you.

@DianaT1969 I have never seen whole 30 before. Is it used to help ibs?

I hate this ‘eat more fibre’ mantra from health professionals. It has the opposite effect for many of us ibs sufferers.

Exactly, it’s old school orthodox teaching and it’s obsolete. The accounts of people with IBS/IBD, Crohn's and Diverticular Disease all being fixed with zero fibre carnivore diets. We simply don’t need fibre if we aren’t eating crap food.

I've had IBS for more years than I care to remember; I was advised by one GP years ago to have a low fibre diet, and that really helped. Not had to seek medical help for IBS for about ten years now. Am T2D so have had to go low carb this past couple of years and that's also been really helpful for the IBS.

Can I ask for those who follow low fibre to help ibs how much fibre are you tending to eat each day and what is you typical days food?

I would like to improve my ibs and unsure what will work.

I got referred to the dietician for my IBS and she basically told me that I eat too well! I probably still eat more fruit and veg than most people but I do try and limit my fruit to no more than 2 portions a day, cut out grapes completely as I realised they were a major trigger. I don't eat pasta other than gluten free now and favour rice or potatoes as a carb source. I hardly eat bread but seem ok with oats. Also cut out most dairy. If you haven't already I'd keep a food diary and see if you can identify what foods are particularly bad for you.

Thank you. I am keeping a food and symptom diary but finding it hard to see a pattern.