Vegetarianism and IBS?

Question

I was veg for two years a long time ago, but I've recently been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as a result of my anxiety disorder and the antidepressants I'm on. Stopping those is not an option, nor will it help my stomach much.

Lactose and I are not friends. I can handle probiotic yoghurts and small amounts of cheese, as well as milk in small amounts IF my stomach has not been acting up and if I take several Lactaid pills.

Soy and I are not friends. At all. I don't know for sure, but I believe I am allergic to it. I get incredible gas and cramps from even the smallest amount of soy milk or tofu.

Other legumes are mostly ok, as are most beans. I still have to watch it, though.

I am interested in cutting back on the amount of meat I eat. Unfortunately because of my condition it seems I have very few options.

Help me please? Is this feasible? Is there a healthy way to do this?

I already said the IBS was caused by my anxiety AND the meds I take. I'm on Pantoloc to help with excess acid in my stomach and I went off of the Effexor which was so harsh on my stomach I refused to eat anything except breads because anything else hurt too much. I have talked to my doctor about this and unfortunately there's not much she can do except help to control my anxiety, which triggers the IBS.

Tofu = soy. So, no, tofu is not really an option for me, either.

The wheat-based diet sounds more do-able for me. I have no problems with breads and glutens, thank goodness.

Answer 1

I'd hate to say this but it sounds like your doctor isn't a very good one if he is letting these problems occure and not considering changing your doseage or your prescription. You may want to consider a new one. I have heard so many stories from doctors about what causes IBS and most are generic answers to cover up the fact that they do not know. As for a vegetarian diet that can help I'm sure a well planned out diet can help but keep in mind that vegetarian diets are higher in antioxidants and your body will go through a detox process. Meat can stick to the inside lining of the digestive tract and prevent the linning from absorbing all the nutrients it can an needs. Once you pass the detox process you can start on a high fiber diet which is normally recommended by your doctor if you are diagnosed with IBS. A good meat alternative that I recently tried for the first time is Seitan. It is not made of soy or milk but wheat gluten. Almond and rice milk are good alternatives and so are beans however you have to find out what kind of beans you like.

Answer 2

"Lactose and I are not friends. I can handle probiotic yoghurts and small amounts of cheese, as well as milk in small amounts IF my stomach has not been acting up and if I take several Lactaid pills. "


If its that big of an issue...why do you make yourself eat it?


Just curious.


Look into a vegan diet...many people thrive on a soy/wheat free vegan diet.. you just have to bother to take the time in choosing your foods. You would think that would be something everyone would want to do, instead of piling up on fatty, greasy junk-dairy and meat..But apparently people dont think too much of themselves. I guess thats why we live in a society where every other person is on anti depressants due to their anxiety disorders which in turn only leads to ibs.

youd be amazed at how many people i know who have been "diagnosed" with all of the above.

Or maybe not.

Answer 3

wow. um i am also a vegitarian and i dont like lactose either and dairy is actually bad for you. a healer told me that..... and i have been a veggitarian for a very long time and everyone always complains about me being one but i dont give a damn and so you should eat nuts and beans and is tofu your enemy?? cuz thatl help and im only 12 so ya.. and i will brb and get a sourse for u





Being vegetarian does not mean your diet will be lacking in protein. Most plant foods contain protein and in fact it would be very difficult to design a vegetarian diet that is short on protein. Excess dietary protein may lead to health problems. It it now thought that one of the benefits of a vegetarian diet is that it contains adequate but not excessive protein.
Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids. There are about 20 different amino acids, eight of which must be present in the diet. These are the essential amino acids. Unlike animal proteins, plant proteins may not contain all the essential amino acids in the necessary proportions. However, a varied vegetarian diet means a mixture of proteins are consumed, the amino acids in one protein compensating for the deficiencies of another.




Most foods contain at least some protein. Good sources of protein for vegetarians include nuts and seeds, pulses, soya products (tofu, soya milk and textured soya protein such as soya mince), cereals (wheat, oats, and rice), free-range eggs and some dairy products (milk, cheese and yoghurt). but cheese actually makes me very sick too...

Answer 4

I have IBS caused by anxiety. I switched to a vegetarian diet and I completely eliminated my problem. However, I don't have any problems with dairy.

I'm a pesca-lacto-ovo vegetarian. Most of my protein comes through eggs, Textured vegetable protein (made from soy, I'm so sorry!), eggs, fish, and beans. Cycling Eggs, beans, whole wheat, and fish in your diet would be more than sufficient. Eat fish once or twice a week. Maybe blackbean soup one day for lunch (fiber is fabulous for the IBS too!) and a vegetarian chili. Have huevos rancheros without the cheese one night (eggs with salsa on a tortilla) and keep eating cereals rich in fiber. How can you go wrong?

Cutting meat out of my diet did WONDERS for my IBS. I feel so much better. And fish is just plain GREAT for you. I just adore smoked salmon and fresh grilled tilapia.

You absolutely can do this. PLENTY of vegans have diets that have more than enough protein and they don't eat dairy at all.

Answer 5

Your IBS may be a side effect of your medication. Consult your doctor for different brands of the same compound. Additional medication for side effects may give rise to a new set of side effects and are usually counterproductive.

May be a cereal based diet is suitable for you. This may include soups (tomato/clear/cabbage etc); rice/brown rice/porridge/rotis with vegetables, legumes, green leafy vegetables (for iron) and lentils/beans (for protein). You may add generous portions of salads and have mix fruits / egg less cake for dessert. Remember a balanced diet is 50% carbs (preferably complex carbs).

Avoid being on empty stomach and split your food into short regularly spaced meals.

But do consult a doctor and a professional dietitian for complete assessment and advice.

Answer 6

I think you might like rice based foods or potatoes as alternatives. Most people who can't do dairy or soy just drink rice milk instead. It's not quite as tasty but it works on cold cereals.You might try going on an anti-inflamation diet.

There are herbal teas that might help like fennel and mint.

I would cut out all processed meat completly. That stuff is just lining for your gut with little nutritional value.

Answer 7

hi
since u hv lactose intolerance do check whether u hv any related allergies as well . sometimes people who are allergic to milk will not tolerate soya too . soy may also mimic the body estrogen so whether it is beneficial is a question . u should try and increase the consumption of yoghurts to compensate for the loss of calcium . also try and hv greens in ur diet ..
check if u are allergic to wheat its component gluten causes ibs in most people . so all breads, cakes , cookies etc ..
try and see if anything specific causes it like nuts?
if legumes give u problems try and hv small quantities at one time .. so u can distribute ur meals ..
eat early dinners . drink plenty of water ...
maintain a diet dairy ..
get urself fruits in ur diet ..

Answer 8

Wheat gluten/seitan is very good. Look into making it. I like rice milk and have found rice protein powder in the health food store. You can make a smoothie for a quick meal with fruit (frozen fruit make the smoothie thick) rice milk and a scoop of protein powder. There's also peanut butter and other nut butters to try.
Try hypnosis for your medical issues. If you can get back to the source, perhaps you can be cured that way. Of course checking into your past lives isn't going to help you digest soy...

Answer 9

I HAVE IBS AS WELL, SAME AS YOU... ITS NOT THE MEAT WE NEED TO CUT OUT, ITS OUR GREASY, FATTY FOODS

WHEN I WAS EATING YOGURT EVERY MORNING OR I MADE SMOOTHIES WITH YOUGURT, IT HELPED MY STOMACH SO MUCH. I WAS REGULAR INSTEAD OF GOING THE BATHROOM 5 TIMES A DAY....

I HAVE NEVER DOES THE LACTAID PILLS, BUT IBS IS RELATED TO ANXIETY ( WHICH I HAVE TOO AND DEPRESSION I DONT HAVE THAT)

WE HAVE " AS CALL THEM" NERVOUS STOMACHS..

ITS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE LEARNED WHEN I WENT ON WEIGHTWATCHERS TO WATCH WHEN I ATE AND TO EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT MY PROBLEM LESSED A GREAT DEAL

I HOPE THIS HELPS...

Answer 10

Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian.

A good dietitian can help you work out a diet plan that is heatlhy and individualized to your needs.