IBS sufferer

[gigi]

Anybody have experience with eating raw and IBS? I have suffered for many years. Am in my third week of eating raw. So far no change. Could sure use some encouragement.

[RawSunflower]

Try Green Smoothies. Victoria Boutenko writes in her book how low stomach acid is often the cause of a lot of problems people have when first going raw.

[Coriander74]

Please read my entry "Why I went raw."

I didn't have IBS but whatever it was I had was very similar in nature. I was miserable until I went raw. I went in 100% and within a month, month and a half, all my symptoms were gone.

Best of luck :)

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=30038

[MorningRuby]

Hi there! I was told I have IBS a while ago, it's one of the reasons I stick to raw. In my experience with raw, it has gotten better as far as not being as bad and my stomach not hurting every time I eat anything at all, but the things that have helped the most are the green smoothies and drinking lots of raw juice. I went on a 3 day juice fast a while back and my body acted and felt as if I've never had a digestive issue in my life. So may advice would be to go on like 10 days of drinking lots of water and raw juice and see how that works for you. :)
Best of health to you!! :)

[tanawana]

3 weeks to fix IBS symptoms that's been around for years?? That's a lot to ask. Everyone is different with IBS also. Some may experience relief within days, others may take months, some more. Some can do greens, some can't. Some can do fruit easily, some can't. Everyone is unique. I believe raw in the long run is the key to dealing with it though.

Most important though - Have you been diagnosed?? Many other problems can mask IBS symptoms.

I suggest, find out what raw foods work for you first. Usually bananas, mango, papaya and even pineapple for some are good starting fruits. Usually greens are an issue for IBSers, but you can try the tender greens in smoothies. Keep the smoothies simple at first. Banana and water to start maybe. Then try the greens. Also, try juicing. A cheap walmart juicer can work. Get your veggies also, but raw veggies can be challenging for some. Try juicing, blending or even steaming them till you heal more and go slow. Lastly, try to eat smaller meals, go easy on the fat and keep meals simple and as close to mono as you can to ease digestion at first.

Following the typical raw model can be a challenge with IBS, but the rewards, with patience are worth it. You need to tweak it to get under control and adapt to it slowly. Your body needs this time to heal.

[MorningRuby]

Oh I didn't mean 10 days would fix it all! LOL! I just meant to try it for 10 or so days and see if it gets better at all and then go from there. :) I don't know if I've had IBS for years, it took me a very very long time to go to the doctor, but I'd say I experienced the symptoms of it for at least 4 yrs. 10 days of juicing didn't take it all away but I have noticed my digestion has been lots better ever since my juicing. And what do you know, I'm juicing again.

[tanawana]

I was replying to the original post MorningRuby, just in case you thought I was replying to yours. If not, just ignore me :o

[chilove]

Hi there,

I healed IBS with raw, it only took a few weeks. The first thing you need to do is get a copy of Dave Klein's book "Self Healing Colitis and Crohns" and consider doing a consultation with him. He is the expert on healing digestive issues on a raw vegan diet. Check out his website www.livingnutrition.com.

Some suggestions:

Avoid all overt fats (nuts, seeds, oils and avocados) for awhile-they are very hard on the digestion

Stick to mostly very watery soft fruits eaten mono (one item per meal)

Don't eat tough vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tough greens, etc. If you must have vegetables eat soft, watery ones like tomatoes and cucumbers.

Eating mono and mostly soft juicy fruits will have you feeling better in no time!

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[bunnybunny]

Audrey, thanks for those helpful tips. I'm also an IBS-er who recently went raw. I'm going to take what you said into consideration, especially considering my current bout with gastroenteritis. :( Thanks again.

[ccrider]

Hey Audrey - can you never have fats again or if it just that you illiminate them for a short while until your IBS heals

[tanawana]

David Klein is a good read. I have read it several times and spoken with him also.

Be VERY careful though. He is mainly writing for Colitis and Crohns. Some of his techniques can be helpful for IBS, BUT, it is mainly for C&C(inflamation) related. Following his advice blindly, especially if you are IBS-D can cause you some undesired hurt.

General guidelines for fats are to do without till you stabilize(if you can) within a week or two. Then slowly add them in. Avoid nuts and seeds and stick to only avocado and maybe olives at first. But then again, depending on your true digestive issue this can vary greatly. Bottom line is you can go without overt fats for months, but depending on how and what you react to you need to judge for yourself.

Also be aware that many people self diagnose themselves with IBS while it can be a host of any other problems. Digestive issues can lead to a life of serious misery if incorrectly dealt with. At least by being RAW you have a fighting chance to fix whatever it is that is truly wrong.

Good Luck to anyone with serious digestive issues :(

[chilove]

Hi there,

Just avoid them for awhile until your digestion heals and then use them sparingly as you can tolerate them.

Also, I forgot to mention, if you are eating fruits like apples and pears, or anything with a tougher peel, be sure to peel it! :-)

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[alicemagooey]

Hi.. Yes, i have found that each case of IBS is so different.. I am an IBS-C
person who has been raw for a couple months with wonderful results..

No matter what your circumstances, i believe that every individual can come to increasing good health over time by experimentation and being sensitive to his/her own body and reactions to foods, etc.

I have found that blending foods and making both green smoothies with fruits and greens (mostly non acid fruits) works really really well for me..

smoothies just eliminate so much of the gassiness i had before..

We still have to make a point of eating or drinking slowly..and trying to be conscious of what we are putting into the body and how the body is responding..

many of the suggestions given in previous posts of this thread are really good.. you have to choose the ones which you know will be best for your particular type of IBS..

mono meals are also good.. which mean less food combinations.

(this only applies when eating foods in a non blended state..)
(blending enables you to eat more combinations comfortably..)

i have also been able to eat greater quantities of vegetables and even acid fruits when i blend them together.. Some things ,like greens,seem to neutralise the acid effects of other things, like tomatoes, when they are blended..
you can make a tasty and gentle v-8 type drink.

i limit my fats also.. but not eliminate them entirely..eat some avocado.

do not be discouraged.. i think your condition will be greatly, greatly improved shortly, if not entirely eliminated..

it may take some time, some reading, and some experimenting..but i think you will be happy with the results.. i sure have been happy with mine.

alice