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Carbs?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/30/2006 8:03 AM (GMT -8)
I'll make this quick but I just want to know the real answer to this!

Are carbs okay to eat with IBS? I've read in some forums that they can cause problems and bloating but I don't think I've ever had a problem with them. I eat things like light bread, cereal, and crackers every once in awhile if I don't want my stomach to get upset but I'm wondering if it's true that you should try to avoid a lot of them with IBS? Thanks!
Posted 8/30/2006 9:30 AM (GMT -8)
Everyone's different. If you haven't noticed that they affect you, then they shouldn't be a concern. I think it all depends on what the ultimate cause of your IBS is; it's my understanding that certain bacterial infections are made worse by carbs because the sugars feed the bad bacteria. And then, of course, there are people with gluten sensitivity/allergies. But if your IBS isn't caused by either of these two things, then carbs shouldn't bother you--at least not any worse than anything else.
Posted 8/30/2006 9:31 AM (GMT -8)
Okay thanks! I am very sensitive to sugar and have come out positive for the hydrogen breath tests that I have done. So it may be something worth looking into then but I do not think I have had too many problems handeling them
Posted 8/30/2006 9:52 AM (GMT -8)
Carbs don't bother me either. I think keeping them down to a minimum (not totally eliminating carbs) is the way to go. Our bodies need some sugar and energy.
But keep doing whatever works for you.
Posted 8/30/2006 10:25 AM (GMT -8)
I think some of it depends, too, on the type of carb. Starches, like potatoes and rice, turn to sugar quickly when you digest them. I think crackers and bread and cereal fall more into the complex carb category, which does not turn to sugar as fast.

You might want to look up "IBS diet" online. There's one out there that address what carbs you can have in moderation and which ones you're supposed to eliminate. Maybe it will help you.
Posted 8/30/2006 1:01 PM (GMT -8)
^ Thanks once again for your help! I'll look up the diet right now and see what kinds of carbs it suggests. I don't eat a lot in carbs but I am a runner and I work out a lot so I try not to go too light on them or completely eliminate them.
Posted 8/30/2006 5:29 PM (GMT -8)
When I was told what I could eat it was chicken, fish, mashed potatoes, noodles and white rice, no fresh fruit or veggies, no red meat and no dairy. That did work for me and now I am pretty much back to eating just about anything unless it flares up again. I really think it depends on the individual and we all have to just keep testing to see what we can tolerate. For me staying off dairy and red meat helped the most.
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