As an experienced Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) dietitian and fellow IBS warrior, I know how challenging trying to improve your gut health can be, especially with the overwhelming amount of misinformation available today. Unfortunately, this can leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed, and not knowing where to start, or what to do next, to find relief from your symptoms.
That's why I'm here, to shed light on the common mistakes that might be delaying your journey towards healing your gut. And in this blog, we will dive into where you may be going wrong and how this could be holding you back from achieving optimal gut health.
Whether you're a newcomer to the world of IBS or have been on this journey for a while, understanding the consequence of these is essential. Read on to discover practical strategies to overcome the mistakes that might be hindering your progress. It's time to pave the way for a healthier, happier gut!
1. You Have Cut Gluten & Dairy From Your Diet.
Gluten and dairy don’t need to be avoided to manage IBS, unless you have been diagnosed with coeliac disease or food allergies to dairy or wheat.
Many foods that these are found in are high in prebiotics, which will help improve your gut health. So you do not want to be removing these from your diet unnecessarily.
Rather than gluten and dairy causing symptoms in those with IBS, it is types of carbohydrates called fructans and lactose.
And you can trial the FODMAP diet with the support of an IBS and FODMAP Dietitian to see if these FODMAP groups are causing your symptoms.
2. You Are Taking Generic Gut Health Supplements.
There is limited evidence for the use of supplements in IBS and in fact, they can often make symptoms worse!
They can really hinder you on your IBS journey because taking supplements is just like putting a band aid over your IBS symptoms without getting to the underlying cause, so you will never get sustainable relief from your symptoms.
Many also have high FODMAP ingredients, like inulin and fructans, or gut irritants, which can cause bloating, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea.
So, stop wasting your valuable time and money on expensive supplements and focus on adding more plant-based foods to your diet.
3. You Are Leaving Your Diet Advice in the Hands of Google.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of generic and inaccurate information available online when it comes to managing IBS that is often given by completely unqualified people. This misinformation can lead to you wasting your valuable time and money on unproven strategies that will prevent you from finding relief from your IBS.
This is why you need a tailored action plan, using strategies that are proven to work and that are customised to your individual needs so that you can take control of your IBS once and for all.
4. You Are Relying on Food Sensitivity Tests to Identify Your Unique Food Triggers.
There is no evidence showing that food sensitivity tests work for diagnosing food intolerances! These test your IgG antibodies, which are memory antibodies. So, all they tell you is that you have eaten or been exposed to a food before, not that you are intolerant to them. This is why foods you eat regularly or close to having the test show up as foods you are more intolerant to.
The gold standard for accurately diagnosing food intolerances is to complete a structured elimination diet with the support and guidance of an IBS Dietitian.
The truth is, quick fix solutions won’t give your lifelong IBS relief and you need to focus on managing your IBS holistically and implement strategies to improve your lifestyle habits and overall gut health, alongside proven nutrition strategies to identify your unique food triggers.