You can eat Weetabix with IBS, but it depends on your individual triggers; it's high in insoluble fiber, which helps some people but can worsen bloating and pain for others, especially if you're sensitive to wheat or large amounts of fiber, so start with small portions and ensure you drink plenty of water. Some NHS sources list Weetabix as a suitable high-fiber choice if you're constipated, while others suggest avoiding bran-based cereals.
Low FODMAP grains and cereals to consider include:
Breakfast ideas for people with IBS
For example, Weetabix cereals are made from wheat and so, are also high in fructans, making them a high FODMAP breakfast cereal. However, Gluten Free Weet-Bix is low FODMAP as it is low in fructans (4).
Fibre also helps to move food through the gut. Choose wholegrain varieties like wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta and wholegrains cereals like Weetabix and oats. Only do this if you can drink a lot with it. If you eat a lot of fibre and drink little, your bowel movements will become even more difficult (and painful).
More-serious symptoms include:
Increase the amount of fibre in your diet, for example: cereals, e.g. All Bran®, Bran Flakes®, Weetabix®, muesli, fruit and vegetables and brown bread. You must however drink plenty of water: 1-1½ litres a day. Eat your meals slowly and chew food thoroughly. Try and take some exercise.
Some foods that can help manage IBS flare-ups include:
If your stomach is upset, Mills recommends eating: Warm cereals like Cream of Wheat, Cream of Rice and oatmeal. Cold cereals like Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Rice Chex and Special K. English muffin (halved) with peanut butter.
Nut Butters: Spread almond butter or peanut butter on your toast. These are generally low in FODMAPs and provide a good source of protein and healthy fats. Lactose-Free Butter or Margarine: If you prefer a more traditional topping, opt for lactose-free butter or margarine to avoid dairy-induced symptoms.
Water and other non-caffeinated drinks, for example herbal teas, are recommended as a beverage for patients with IBS[13,59,60]. In contrast, carbonated water and other carbonated beverages should be avoided by IBS patients, because they may cause symptoms[59,60].
What is the best bread for IBS sufferers? Sourdough bread and gluten-free bread are the best types of bread for people with IBS. The lengthy fermentation process used to make traditional sourdough bread reduces the amount of fructans, which are the kind of carbohydrates in bread that cause IBS symptoms.
Rice crackers, corncakes, oatcakes, wheat free or gluten free crackers. Some Florentines, macaroons, oat based biscuits, flapjacks. Flourless cakes, meringues, cornflour sponge. Most 'free from' varieties are wheat free.
Rice Chex, Corn Chex and various flavors of Cheerios are all low FODMAP in moderate amounts. These breakfast cereals are also widely available both domestically and internationally. There are also some other low FODMAP cold breakfast cereals sold by smaller brands.
Other ways to help IBS symptoms
avoid foods that are hard to digest (like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans and onions) avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol. ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Buscopan or peppermint oil.
This is a group of short-chain carbohydrates that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have trouble digesting. Dairy products, legumes, and certain grains are high in FODMAPs but, fortunately, potatoes are not.
IBS Elimination diets to reset your gut
Many of my clients go through the low FODMAP diet, because this is a tried and tested method for reducing digestive symptoms, but it doesn't work for everyone. We may also look at low histamine, high fibre, low sulphur, or other specific diets to improve your gut health.
Insoluble fibre: Whilst keeping some soluble fibre in your diet, you may wish to decrease intake of insoluble fibre, which is found in skins of fruits and veg and wholemeal cereals, particularly wheat bran (e.g. bran flakes, Weetabix). This may worsen loose stools, pain or bloating.
2. Don't skip breakfast. It truly is one of the most important meals of the day, especially for those with IBS issues. A meal in the morning helps stimulate the colon and leads to a bowel movement.
Lifestyle and home remedies
While IBS does not cause damage to your intestines or lead to serious disease – like cancer – it's important that you reach out to a trusted provider with any recurring symptoms that are painful or cause you anxiety.
Loperamide. Loperamide (Imodium A-D) is an OTC medication that can ease diarrhea symptoms in people with IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-U. Loperamide stops the intestines from contracting, which increases the time between stooling. In clinical studies, people who took loperamide had fewer, more well-formed stools.
How do doctors treat IBS? Doctors may treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by recommending changes in what you eat and other lifestyle changes, medicines, probiotics, and mental health therapies. You may have to try a few treatments to see what works best for you. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment plan.