If you suffer from IBD or any kind of stomach problems, someone always has a new diet to put you on. Whether it’s doctors recommendations or highly recomended by a friend, these diets can be the miracle cure or not change a thing at all.
I have tried and tested most of these different eating styles. (I personally have my own diet that I’ve worked out over the years) and i thought i would share with you some things you can try below.
1) The B.R.A.T diet. Which means Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. This diet is aimed for those with diarrhea, nausea or vomiting and says to ease these symptoms by:
”Binding” foods and making your stool firmer
Bananas are high in potassium and they help replace the natural nutrients your body has lost.
”) The Macrobiotic diet. This diet was developed in the 1920’s by a Japanese philosopher. The diet is not only about the food you eat, but they way you cook it. This diet is generally made up of.
Organic whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, oats and buckwheat – half of your food intake
Locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables – up to a quarter of your food
Soups made with vegetables, seaweed, beans, chick peas, lentils and fermented soy (miso) – up to a quarter of your food
The Macrobiotic diet also suggests that you chew your food until it becomes a liquid in your mouth. Making it easier to digest.
3) The Low Residue diet. This is one a lot of people with IBD are advised to go on if they are flaring. The diet suggests that, although foods containing fibre are a natural aid to digestion, in certain conditions the foods can leave residue behind in the gut.
So being on a low residue diet may help avoid blockages in the bowl. Foods that are generally allowed are :
Boiled Pasta ,Jacket Potato (do not eat skin), Boiled white rice
White Bread,Tuna, Sliced Ham, Tinned Spaghetti, Plain poached white fish, Poached chicken, Omelette, Scrambled eggs, Custard
Ice Cream and Jelly
Foods that are high in fat are not recommended. You can find a full list of the do’s and dont’s of this diet here -http://www.gwh.nhs.uk/media/140811/low-residue_diet.pdf
4) The Specific Carbohydrate diet is a more popular one. It claims to have help thousands of people with various forms of bowl problems. The diet eliminates complex carbs and focuses on the chemical structure of foods. The diet consists of -
Meat, Fish, Eggs, Vegetables, Nuts and low-sugar fruits
We’ve only consumed grains and cereals for the pat 10,000 years, the diet suggests that if we get rid of said grains then it may be possible to restart your digestive system to work how it should.
If you want to know more about this diet then i advise you to purchase the book Breaking The Vicious Cycle.
5) I personally suggest the Elimination diet. It takes time and effort but its worth it. Buy yourself a food diary, religiously write down everything you eat and how it makes your insides feel, if you find patterns in certain foods, where by these foods are causing you pain and discomfort, cut them out!
Through this process I have cut out -
Brown bread, brown rice, whole grain foods, most seeds, some nuts, all meats,all fish, all dairy, refined sugars and beans.
Everyones list will vary, I have found I am much healthier and find it much easier to eat comfortably.
I encourage you to try these diets till you find the right fit!
I hope this has helped those confused about what to put on there belly :)
