Anyone have trouble eating white wheat?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Have any of you had trouble with eating white wheat? I have IBS-C. It says it's okay on the low fodmap diet, but everytime I do I seem to get constipated. I had a really bad IBS attack 3 weeks ago. I decided to stay on the low fodmap diet. I started a new supplement called Heather's Tummy Fiber, drank more water and was doing better for two weeks. Then the last few days I've been allowing myself to eat some white wheat bread. Before this I was sticking to spelt bread. I will now stay with the spelt, but I wondered if any of you experienced this?

I'm just hoping I don't have another attack because of my not listening to myself and sticking with spelt instead of wheat.

Thanks for reading. Any suggestions are appreciated.

0 likes, 24 replies

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  • Posted

    This is why I have issues with fodmap. I have my own diet. I do not eat white bread only good quality granary. I can not eat white bread. For me it is toxic 
    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply, astrozombie. I'm thinking white bread is toxic for me too. I don't know why if I'm feeling better, I decide I can go and deviate from what I'm doing. Then I'm paying for it for days!

    • Posted

      When I was at my most ill and I mean heavy cramp followed by long bouts of hiding away in the loo. I saw a consultant who told me openly that white bread is not good. I think it was acting like a plug so then when I was ill I really was quite unwell. 
  • Posted

    Some things that are supposed to be safe foods on Fodmap are irritants for some people.  White bread is also very processed and processed food can be bad for IBS.
    • Posted

      Hello Pips Indeed I have found out. Fruit was a big one. I can't remember if it was apples but there was a fruit I eat regularly on there. Also I used to eat a lot of processed sandwich meat for work and had to cut all that out too. I never plan on eating white bread again. 

    • Posted

      Although I don't react to white bread, I find it very doughy and it sticks to my mouth so I try to eat brown bread as much as possible. Thank goodness all fruit is ok for me because it is great for getting rid of constipation.

  • Posted

    Unfortunately the low FODMAP diet often increases constipation, especially the elimination stage as it is very low fibre.

    If spelt works better than wheat for you stick with it. Everyone is different because it depends how your body reacts to certain things. That is why what is a trigger for one may not be for someone else. It is also why just because something is low FODMAP doesn't mean it's IBS friendly.

    • Posted

      Excellent point in the final line Leeniepie and everyone should take of this as I believe many think fodmap = solution to IBS. For people like me I do not have a trigger but if I eat food which constipates me then I can become ill a few weeks later and I think you were one of the people which helped me realise this a year or so ago now Leeniepie. Thank you
    • Posted

      You are very welcome and thankyou for the kind words. Unfortunately everything is trial and error with ibs and our bodies can rebel at any time so what was once safe food is now not! I do find there are some fail safe foods tho and they may or may not be unique to me but I believe we all have some. Finding them are the hard bit.

      It's taken me 6 years and a lot of trial and error but I have a basic daily diet now. I'm not symptom free but during a good period I do ok. I think one day they will discover a medication that works on he nerves of the digestive system and we will all be cured! (Here's hoping!)

    • Posted

      Thank you for your great advice and you are welcome. When I see the amount of hate on the internet it is great to be able to go somewhere where there is genuine camaraderie. How rare is that? I completely agree with trial and error and myself much worse before I improved. I find soup very safe.

      I first started being ill about 6 years ago too but did I find this place until much later which was when I first started experimenting as before that I thought it was wine or running or walking or stress or driving etc etc etc. I was in complete denial and for the first 2 years kept thinking it would go away. It was only when my partner gave me the elbow I thought I have a real problem here. In a weird way she did me a favour and that is in a very weird way as that was the catalyst for me to start trying different things like exercise and different foods.

      I have a basic diet too and I am not symptom free. I am not sure anyone is in reality. I do ok if I can have a few concessions from people especially employers. I am trading my flexibility for a lower salary and so far so good though I will not this flexibility at every company. I am just enjoying it while I can.

      I think we are in Philip K Dick sci fi fantasy world if we think a medication can be provided. We are becoming resistant to antibiotics as a nation and there have been no new drugs for 30 years and the Health service stands on the edge of crisis with 1% increases per year when it 12% to function as it did in 1950.

      Maybe I am a little too pessimistic but I am not convinced. I rarely quote the bible but in this it is relevant. It is a case of "physician heal thyself" which is what we are doing.

      Maybe the breakthrough will come through the food industry such as replacing sugar with xylitol or some other substitute for example (here's hopingsmile 

       

    • Posted

      Oh my! Thank you for all your help everyone! Your replies are so helpful!

      Leeniepie -You mentioned soup works for you. Can you tell me what types? I used to love minestrone, but because of the beans I have to stay away. Do you make homemade or is a box or can okay?

      Astrozombie - Thank you for all you mention! I keep thinking that if I just find the right foods I can be symptom free. I see that is wishful thinking. I am encouraged that if I find a basic daily diet it can help. And what you said about lower pay and flexible job was really helpful. I have been thinking of applying to a position that's opening soon and a few others. But, everytime I'm sick I think I should stay where I'm at. I love my job, been at it for 8 years, and have total flexibility. I can even work from home remotely if I need to. I'm an accountant for an eye doctor's office and love what I do. I was thinking of leaving for better benefits and more pay recently. I actually make a good salary for the rural area I'm in. I just feel as my husband gets closer to retirement I may need to step up. But, when I'm sick I feel I won't be able to handle the stress of a new job and less flexibility. I think you just confirmed my fears. I think I better stay put.

      Thank you again for everyone's responses!

    • Posted

      If you are in FODMAP elimination stage then you can't have any canned soup or packet soio. If you are in the reintroduction stage then just see how you go. Soup has never bothered me.

    • Posted

      Hello Holly I think I was soup and tomato for me.

      I think it is all about finding what works for you. I was in a higher paying role but then when I was ill and late and apologising and feeling guilty and in the end that was not good for either of us. I was not given the choice.  I took a lot of time but then started working for a company 30 mins away and once again I tried to pretend I had no issues but my body had other ideas so that was a very short lived role so decided I needed to be much closer and I was just going to be more open but they got me so cheap they did not care why I needed the flex so a win win. I was out of the house and they had reduced overhead. 

      I think you know my answer, for me flexibility is all. I had a team so working remotely was out. I don't now but so close I don't need to. For me I took that new job with great salary and great benefits and paid parking for management and all that good stuff but I was rarely on time due to leaving late and a few times I wanted to leave early and I think they just did not expect this level of stress so now I have to admit to myself I have a condition so I do not try to over reach again. My problem is I am a catch smile but I no longer want to be one. If I get ill at this level I should definitely steer clear of management. 

      Glad to be of help

       

    • Posted

      Thanks, astrozombie. Yeah, after reading about your experience it makes me think I should stay where I'm at. I'm already established and the doctor's like my work. I really have little stress there, except the drama that goes on downstairs that doesn't affect me really. I have my own office upstairs with the docs. It's quiet and there's a bathroom down the hall. If I'm in there for 20 mins no one really knows unless they're looking for me. The new position I have a good chance at getting is at the university. I would be working in a large room in a cubicle. If I have to leave for the restroom people will notice. At my present job if I'm late I just ask a co-worker to put the cash out for me and no one asks why. I think I have it pretty good. I can't work remotely all the time, but if I need to make up hours in the evening or the weekends I am able to. They encourage it. I also only work 10 mins from home and have assigned parking. I was worried about starting a new job with more stress and IBS. I just think I better stay put. Thank you for your help!

    • Posted

      To be honest, I would worry about others seeing you going to the loo.  That is your business and not theirs.  It doesn't matter what others think. 

    • Posted

      I know what you mean re: the loo and I went to make too disappeared for 30 mins and when I came back they asked if I had gone to China. Some people have no idea when they say things but I just laugh it off and go back to my desk.
    • Posted

      It isn't but people comment innocently and just makes us feel a little self conscious. It certainly does me anyway.

    • Posted

      Being a writer also helps me a lot with unkind comments.  I write limericks to poke fun at the culprits.  It does help to ease flare ups.
    • Posted

      I forgot you were a pro writer. Great way of dealing with it. My way is not so constructive. I listen to punk rock but with regards a flare up or an attack as I call it it is whatever gets us through the pain.

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