Our Grateful Life

Sore Tummy Solution

I know there are at least 3 women in my life who struggle with IBS or IBD (as I’m seeing it referred to these days). My symptoms have largely been associated with stress. Seriously, I could actually NAME the worst episodes after some guy.

Why do we let guys affect us like that? Age old question I know.

Several years ago I got a really good handle on my symptoms and episodes. Despite an increased amount of stress. Being the single bread winner in the family for four years was a bit much for me. Add that to a job for which I was completely under qualified, over-paid and expected to be pretty darn near close to perfect and you have the makings of some serious issues.

However, I learned the secret.

Exercise (sorry, it’s really important) and a low-fiber diet.

I discovered, through a great many unpleasant trial and error sessions, that high fiber foods like whole grains, bananas and lettuce make my system go into shock. On the other hand, pasta, white bread, berries and cold cereal were great.

They are also great for running. I can run for miles on a meal of macaroni and cheese. Not so much when the broccoli I ate the night before is still causing me pain.

So today, while I was listening to T. Boone Pickens’ press conference for his new “Pickens Plan”, I was eating lunch and reading the Health and Fitness section of msn.com.

When suddenly, the heavens opened and the angels spoke: “I bring you great tidings of happy tummies.”

Now, this may not work for everyone. One thing is for sure, every person’s system is different. But this works for me and if you haven’t been able to find the right balance, give this a try.

Well, this and a good brisk walk for at least 30 minutes every other day.

Low-fiber diet: Limiting the amount of undigested materials
From MayoClinic.com

Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables and grains not broken down by the body that contributes to stool. Your doctor may prescribe a low-fiber diet if you have certain digestive concerns, such as after bowel surgery, or if you have certain digestive problems, such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A low-fiber diet limits the amount of undigested materials that must pass through the large intestine and may help control abdominal cramping and diarrhea in some cases.

Foods allowed

• Enriched white bread
• White rice
• Plain pasta, noodles or macaroni
• Cereals with no more than 1 gram of dietary fiber per serving
• Most canned or cooked fruits without skins, seeds or membranes
• Raw fruit without skin or membranes
• Fruit juice with little or no pulp
• Canned or well-cooked vegetables without seeds, hulls or skins — such as carrots or string beans
• Tender meat, poultry and fish
• Eggs
• Smooth peanut butter — up to 2 tablespoons a day
• Milk, yogurt or cheese without seeds or nuts
• Fats, oils and dressings without seeds
• Desserts with no seeds or nuts

Foods to avoid
Note: Limit fruits and vegetables to one to two servings a day. One serving is 1/2 cup or one small whole fruit.

• Whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta
• Brown or wild rice
• Dried fruits
• Raw fruit with skin or membranes, such as oranges and grapefruit
• Pears
• Raw vegetables
• Dried beans or peas
• Baked beans
• Luncheon meats and cheese with seeds
• Chunky peanut butter
• Seeds and nuts, and foods containing them
• Coconut
• Popcorn