IBS and Bloating: Personal Journey and Answers to Your Most Asked Questions
Welcome to our space! Here at Gut & Glory, we’re excited to share our personal journey with IBS, bloating, and the ways we’ve managed it. We believe that sometimes the best solutions come from slowing down and simplifying, which is why we’re here to share what’s worked for us—no gimmicks, just real advice from our experiences.
Before you jump in, if you’re new to our blog, we invite you to check out our “About Us” page to get to know who we are and why we’ve created this blog.
Let’s get started!!!
If you’ve ever struggled with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or the discomfort of bloating, you’re not alone. Many people deal with these issues daily, and they can take a real toll on your quality of life. I know this firsthand. For years, I battled the uncomfortable and frustrating symptoms of IBS and bloating, unsure of what was causing the discomfort or how to make it stop.
Through trial and error, I’ve learned a lot about managing these symptoms and finding relief. In this post, I’m sharing my personal journey with IBS and bloating, as well as answering the most frequently asked questions I’ve received about dealing with these issues. From practical tips to mindset shifts, I’ll Walk you through what worked for me and what didn’t, all with the hope that my experiences can help you on your own path to feeling better.
Whether you’re dealing with bloating after meals, digestive distress, or just want to understand how IBS can affect your daily life, this page is for you. Let’s dive into how I tackled these common, but often confusing, challenges.
So, what exactly is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects your digestive system, specifically your stomach and intestines. It’s pretty common, but its exact cause is still a bit of a mystery.
Some experts believe that IBS may be caused by abnormal muscle contractions in the gut, an overly sensitive digestive system, or even factors like stress or certain foods. It’s important to note that IBS is a long-term condition, but with the right care, many people manage it effectively.
What are the common symptoms of IBS?
If you’re wondering if you might be dealing with IBS, the symptoms can include a mix of uncomfortable experiences, like:
- Abdominal pain or cramping– You might feel a dull or sharp pain, especially after meals or during certain times of the day.
- Bloating– A feeling of fullness or tightness in your stomach that can make you feel uncomfortable.
- Gas– Increased bloating and flatulence can come with IBS, which, let’s face it, is no fun.
- Diarrhea– Frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom with loose stools, sometimes even accompanied by discomfort.
- Constipation– On the flip side, some people with IBS experience long periods of constipation with hard, difficult-to-pass stools.
- Alternating between diarrhea and constipation– Some might find their IBS symptoms switching between diarrhea and constipation, often triggered by stress or specific foods.
The tricky part of IBS is that symptoms can come and go, and they vary greatly from person to person. But don’t worry — if you have IBS, you’re not alone, and there are ways to manage it that can bring a lot of relief.
Let’s Dive into Your Most Common Questions
Now that we’ve covered what IBS is and some of the symptoms, let’s get to the heart of the matter — answering the questions that many of you have about living with IBS. We know this can be a frustrating and confusing condition, but getting the right information is key to managing it better.
In this section, we’ll be tackling some of the most frequently asked questions we get about IBS, bloating, and the journey to finding relief. Whether you’re dealing with symptoms yourself or simply want to understand more, we hope these answers provide some helpful insights.
Let’s jump in!
1. Can IBS cause bloating even if you’re eating healthy food?
Yes. Of course. First of all, you might not be able to digest food even if it’s healthy only because you feel stressed, angry or because you are afraid that the food you will eat will cause you bloating.
It’s important to note that what’s considered “healthy” can sometimes be misleading. Many foods marketed as healthy might not be ideal for your body, especially if you look at the ingredients behind them.
The healthiest options are typically whole foods with only one ingredient, such as meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and animal-based butter.
2.What are some common triggers for bloating in people with IBS?
There are several factors that can trigger bloating in those with IBS. Common triggers include stress, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of bread, pasta, and too much fiber. Foods high in FODMAPs, such as onions and garlic, can also contribute to bloating. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can exacerbate symptoms.
3. Are there any particular foods you’ve found to help reduce bloating when dealing with IBS?
I’ve tried every combination of foods over the last 6 years, but the only thing that has worked for me so far is eating 99% animal products.
This doesn’t mean that the same approach will work for everyone, though. I suggest starting with this for at least one week to see if it has positive results. For someone just starting out, they could try focusing on animal-based foods like meat, eggs, fish, and small amounts of healthy fats such as animal butter.
After a week, if they notice improvements, they can gradually add in some of their favorite foods, to see if any cause problems.
For example, when I included bread (non-processed bread from a bakery) in my diet, I was bloated the next day. After 7-8 days of continuing to eat the bread, I experienced huge bloating, knees pain less energy, and my chronic back pain returned.
When I cut bread out again, all the symptoms, including the bloating went away within a few days. This approach helps pinpoint exactly what may be triggering symptoms, and it’s a great way to start understanding how different foods affect your body.
4. Do you follow any specific diet or lifestyle changes to manage bloating with IBS?
Yeah, I tried going vegan for about two months, but honestly, my bloating didn’t get any better. I was always hungry, and just because I was working out, I felt my strength and energy dropping. I wasn’t eating processed vegan food and was cooking everything by myself, making sure to get the right amino acids daily.
I’ve also tried tons of different food combinations, seen doctors, talked to nutritionists, and tried all kinds of pills and supplements, but nothing really worked. The big shift for me was when I went carnivore—just focusing on animal-based foods. But even then, I struggled to stick with it for more than a month without cheating. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’m finally understanding what works for my body.
5. How does stress impact bloating and IBS symptoms, and what do you do to manage it?
Stress is totally natural in small doses, but when it’s there 24/7, it can really mess with your body. I manage it by working out, getting some sun, and making sure I’m getting at least seven hours of sleep every night. I also stay away from blue light at least one hour before bed, I spend time with friends and also, I make sure I’m eating the foods that I know my body can digest well.
But I’ve learned that stress isn’t always obvious. Sometimes you can feel stressed without even realizing it, and that can throw your digestion off track. The mind and gut are so connected—when one’s out of balance, the other suffers.
It’s not just about digestion, though—what we eat can actually affect our mood too. For example, eating too many processed or inflammatory foods can make us feel sluggish, anxious, or low energy. A balanced diet with whole, nourishing foods can do the opposite, boosting your mood and helping you feel more energized and positive.
6. Are there any common mistakes people with IBS make that could make bloating worse?
Yes, absolutely. A few common mistakes people often make are eating processed foods, consuming too much fiber, loading up on sugary foods, and using too many seed oils. These things can really disrupt digestion and lead to bloating. And of course, drinking too much beer or soda doesn’t help either. It’s about being mindful of the food choices you’re making and how your body responds to them.
7. How long does it usually take to see improvements in bloating with IBS after making dietary or lifestyle changes?
It really depends on the person. Everyone’s body is different, so what works for one person might not work the same for someone else. For me, when I switched to a carnivore diet, I actually felt better right after my first meal.
So, for some, improvements can be pretty quick, but for others, it may take a bit longer to see noticeable changes. It’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it.
8. What is your advice for someone experiencing bloating and is unsure if it’s IBS?
If you are bloated once or twice a week, without eating processed foods, sugars, or too much fiber, that doesn’t mean you have IBS. It could be about stress, or maybe you ate too much, or even ate too quickly. There are also certain ingredients that can cause bloating. Older people get bloated sometimes, and some people know exactly what causes it for them.
But if you don’t have it very often, there’s no reason to think you have IBS. Because if you start thinking this way, you’ll probably feel more stressed, and you’ll end up making yourself sick.
I suspected I had IBS during the first COVID winter when I was feeling so bored and stressed, not being able to go out and live my life. I visited a doctor, and he told me I have IBS. He gave me some pills and told me that I have to worry about nothing, just live my life, eat whatever I want, and stop worrying about it because worrying about it makes it worse.
So, I tried to ignore it, ate whatever I wanted, including the foods I was cooking, but I didn’t get better. I asked him, ‘if these pills don’t work, what’s next?’ And he answered, laughing, ‘if these pills don’t work, you’ll have to see another doctor to give you another kind of pills.’ (talking about the psychiatrist)
This doctor believed everything has to do with the mind, and he just gave me pills to help my gut move less.
My advice is: if it doesn’t happen often, ignore it and continue your life. Just try to be more active, less stressed, and eat mostly single-ingredient, animal-based foods, not processed foods. But if it starts happening often, before you see a doctor and pay money to take pills and supplements, better try to eat only animal foods for at least 10-15 days and see if that helps, if it doesn’t, then you can go to visit a doctor or a nutritionist.
And trust me when I say…I totally got you—I know that food is life! I used to be obsessed with all the things I loved, pizza, crepes, sweets…Ugh I love eating. I can kill everything in 10min.huge amount of food!
I thought I couldn’t live without them, but at the same time, I was dealing with constant bloating and IBS. It felt like a never-ending cycle. But here’s the thing: when I switched to a simpler diet, like the carnivore way, it was challenging, yes, but now I started enjoying food more than ever.
It’s crazy how something so simple, with just one meal a day, can make me feel so much better. No more bloating, more energy, and a happy gut. If I can do this, trust me—you can do it too!
It’s not about giving up food, it’s about finding what TRULY makes you feel good. Once you do, eating becomes a joy again, and your body will thank you!
If you’re curious about how eating one meal a day can transform your gut health and overall well-being, be sure to check out this link for more insights and personal experiences about FASTING!
Conclusion:
We hope that by sharing our personal experiences with IBS and bloating, along with some practical advice, you feel a little more at ease in understanding and managing your own journey. Remember, everyone’s body reacts differently, and finding what works for you is key. Whether you’re dealing with stress, food triggers, or lifestyle changes, don’t forget that there’s always a way to find balance.
Our decision to create this blog with a retro perspective is rooted in a belief that sometimes, the simple and natural ways are the best ways. In a world overwhelmed by quick fixes, trendy diets, and countless choices, we wanted to bring back a sense of calm and simplicity.
Our goal is to encourage you to embrace a healthier lifestyle without overcomplicating things, just as it was in the past when people ate food made with love, had fewer choices, and felt more connected to what they were consuming.
So, take a deep breath, explore the options, and don’t be afraid to make some changes. It’s all about finding what makes you feel your best. And remember, the journey to healing isn’t always a straight line – It’s okay to take your time.
Thanks for joining us on this path toward better health!
PS: Keep pushing forward, from Gut 💪