Fibre and IBS
Constipation sufferers often turn to high fibre diets - but we offer a
note of caution because too much fibre can have a counter effect. If you
do decide or are recommended to increase your fibre intake, do so gradually
over a period of about a week - to suddenly load up your system with a
lot of fibre will not necessarily help. Remember with fibre that you must
vary the source about every ten days because your system quickly gets
used to handling fibre so you need to keep it guessing. Switch from cereals
to fruit, fresh veg - and then back again.
Also, when you are increasing your fibre intake, take plenty of water - at least a litre a day. The easiest way is simply to put a litre bottle in front of you every morning and make sure you have drunk it all by the evening - more if you can manage it.
Increased fibre intake often leads to increased flatulence, and this is again a particularly distressing aspect of IBS for women. Passing wind is perfectly normal - the important consideration being to note down in a food diary what foods cause the worst problems and avoid them.