Remember what you put into your body matters a great deal. Many meals and foods will require you to start from scratch and build up. This can be a problem if you are used to running to the freezer grabbing a frozen pizza or grabbing the nearest quick meal deal. What you eat requires a little planning and preparation, it doesn’t have to be difficult but you will need to rethink how you eat. The more time you take the better your outcome soon the seemingly dreadful task of food shopping and label reading will be a thing of the past and you will enjoy taking care of your needs because you will feel great and you will see the results of you doing so.

For those of you who are still battling a greater degree of symptoms and want to ensure results of your hard work, will want to take in consideration supplementing and assisting your body’s tiring work. Those that have even more extensive IBS symptoms more than likely lack the ability to produce all the necessary requirements and perform the duties the digestive system requires, thereby supplements are required for good health.

Please also see the sections titled Try This for IBS and Recipes for other suggestions.

Watermelon is about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight, and is one of the lowest sugar fruits available. Watermelon is a mild diuretic and contains large amounts of Lycopene, vitamin C, and acid citrulline; it also contains beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. With the high nutrient value of watermelon along with the soothing affect on the stomach, watermelon is an excellent choice in calming IBS symptoms.

Start your day off with a serving of watermelon, this can calmly start the digestion process and give you needed energy. Watermelon is great throughout the day as a nutritious snack, the juice is also fantastic, watermelon juice is easy to make and quite refreshing. You might not want to drink much before going to bed, or you may be getting up during the middle of the night more than normal. Using watermelon as a base for an all fruit smoothie is a nice thing to sip on throughout the day. Note: be sure to wash your watermelon (or any other melon you choose to use), there are pesticides and bacteria on the outside of the rind, by washing it off you decrease the chances of you contaminating the fruit when you cut into the melon.

Watermelon Juice 
Fill your blender, not quite to the rim, with seedless (or deseeded) watermelon* chunks.

Blend on low to medium speed until smooth, about 30 – 60 seconds. Drink it right out of the blender or put it in the refrigerator to chill.
*Other melons are also acceptable, however start with watermelon, other melons may be higher in sugars.

Watermelon sorbet
Follow the directions for making watermelon juice and just pour it into an ice cream maker. Note that you will have to consume the sorbet after making it, other wise you will have a watemelon ice cube by sticking it into the freezer for later use.

Fruit Smoothie
Fill your blender a quarter to one third full with watermelon.
Add fresh or frozen fruit of choice (best sources have no added sugars or dairy)
5 – 10 drops of GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) optional – helps control yeast from sugars of added fruit

Blend on medium to high speed until smooth. If you have trouble mixing because of frozen fruit, add a little water to help it out.

Believe it or not a good hot cereal is rather calming to the tummy, however you will want to make sure you have something that is not going to aggravate it issue because not all grains are soothing to every gut. Cereals based on wheat or corn can be difficult on digestion. Wheat, barley, kamut, triticale, spelt, and rye all contain gluten. Gluten can also be present in oatmeal, unless you find good quality gluten free oatmeal (like from Bob’s Redmill) traces are found and can affect digestion. A simple definition of gluten is that it is an insoluble, elastic protein that can't easily be digested if at all. Gluten is difficult for the IBS patient to digest, in fact most IBS sufferers have gluten intolerance therefore should stay away from these types of grains. Corn is gluten free but one of the most difficult foods to digest. Rice is safe, so are sorghum, millet, quinoa, amaranth and teff. The breakdown of each grain is unique and actually quite nutritious, blending grains gives you a better balanced base.
 
Amaranth: This little grain is a very high quality protein and is high in fiber. Amaranth Grain has a nutty flavor and can be combined with in recipes to add nutrition and
substance. Amaranth contains all the essential amino acids including Lysine, which is lacking in most grains. Amino acids are essential to those with IBS and digestive disorders as well as other illness that robs the body of such nutrients. With every quarter cup dry amaranth you have 190 calories, 3.5g fat, 10mg sodium, 34g carbohydrates, 8g protein. Of the grains listed here it is the only one containing vitamin C, it also contains calcium and good source of iron. 

Brown rice farina: Brown rice cereal is a staple; it contains no sugars or saturated fats. Being very neutral in flavor it doesn’t over power a sensitive stomach. It is also non-allergenic there for a great cereal for sensitive stomachs. In a quarter cup of uncooked cereal it contains 150 calories, 1 gram of fat, 5 mg sodium, 32 carbohydrates, 3g of protein; it also contains a trace of iron. 
 
Buckwheat: Buckwheat is not wheat though contains its name. Buckwheat is by nature gluten free but can be difficult for some to digest. When mixed with other grains it’s tolerated easier. The reason for this is because the hull can not be removed from the grain. In every quarter cup of dry buckwheat you have 140 calories, 1g fat, 30g carbohydrates, 5g protein; it also contains trace amounts of calcium and iron. 

Corn grits: If tolerated corn grits can be a nice simple breakfast cereal, usually tolerated and digested better when combined with millet or brown rice farina. Note: corn is one of the most difficult foods for the stomach to breakdown and digest, it is only mentioned as an item to be added and mixed with other grains, usually this is not recommended for eating alone. For every quarter cup dry corn grits there is 130 calories, 0 fat, 27g carbohydrates, 3g protein, it also contains trace amounts of iron. 
 
Millet grits: Millet is a good source of protein, essential amino acids and fiber. It is easily digested because it is alkaline whereas most other grains are acidic. Millet is a great couscous replacement and for cornmeal in certain recipes or under pizza crust. Millet is the easiest digested grain, making it a great base for any cereal. In very quarter cup of dry millet you have 170 calories, 1.5g fat, 34g carbohydrates, 5g protein, its also higher in iron than most cereals. 
 
Oatmeal -gluten free: Some people can tolerate easily gluten free oatmeal. If it is good high quality oats processed in a 100% gluten free environment this can be true. Regular oats contain a certain amount of gluten. This is because most oats are either grown near, with or processed in the same environment with wheat, spelt or other gluten containing grains. In order to be sure, you need to obtain oats that are processed in the best gluten free environment possible, such as Bob’s Redmill. Even then there are a few people that aren’t able to tolerate oats, in this case eliminate them from your diet or have it on the rarest of occasions. For those with IBS or digestive disorders oats should not be eaten on a regular basis. Oats contain one of the highest levels of sugars in the grains. These sugars can feed yeast, or Candida which is
present in the gut of those with IBS. With every half cup of dry oatmeal you find calories, 2.5g fat, 27g carbohydrates, 7g protein, higher trace amounts of calcium and iron. 

Quinoa: The Incans in South America discovered this super grain of grains, is a very versatile and easy to digest. Quinoa is rich in amino acids and is an acid-rich protein. Over doing quinoa in a IBS diet maybe easy to do, since those with IBS need to focus on alkaline rich foods. It is a good grain to mix in with other grains to balance nutrition. In very quarter cup of quinoa you have 94 calories, .5g fat, 21g carbohydrates, 3g protein with trace amounts of iron. 

Sorghum grits: Sorghum is usually mixed in with other cereal mixes. It is a good grain to use in baking; alone in cereal is a little strong on the tummy. Sorghum has good nutrient values and is used often in gluten free baking because it is a easy texture and wheat replacer. In every quarter cup sorghum grits you have 120 calories, 1g fat, 25g carbohydrates, 4g protein and trace amounts of iron. 
 
Teff: Teff comes from North Africa and is a cereal grass. This is a highly nutritious and tasty grain and is also the smallest known grain in the world. Because Teff is so small it is impossible to remove the hull from the grain makes this a nutritional powerhouse. When cooked it resembles the consistency of a wheat farina. In a/4 cup of dry teff, there is about 180 calories, 1 gram of fat, 5mg of sodium, 37g carbohydrates and 7 g of protein, it s also higher in calcium and iron. 
 
If you are following an elimination diet, reintroduce grains in the following order brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, oatmeal, rye, buckwheat, millet, wheat, barley, corn grits, flaxseed, white rice. Give each grain a good week long trial. If it seems stable then test another, but don’t do more than one at a time or you can get mixed results.

Making up your own blend of hot cereal is pretty easy and fun to do. This way you can balance each item and not be over powered by one grain or another. Make note of how much you put together and what you altered so you can repeat it next time. Start by mixing enough to make up one cup. This way if it really doesn’t work you haven’t wasted your grains. Once you find a good mix keep it as a staple in your diet. Make other mixes as well and alternate, but having one good base mix is helpful when you hit those times of need. 
 
Favorite hot cereal
¼ cup millet grouts
¼ cup quinoa
¼ cup amaranth
 
Tasty hot cereal
¼ cup brown rice farina
¼ cup corn grits
¼ cup millet
¼ cup brown rice farina
 
Hearty hot cereal
½ cup brown rice farina
¼ cup quinoa
¼ cup teff
¼ cup amaranth

There are many supplements and items that have been known to help remedy IBS, the following is a list of items that has been helpful to many IBS sufferers and
why they may prove beneficial for you. What we have listed is not a guarantee you will not experience symptoms from your treatment nor is this a cure. Yet what we suggest is to help fortify your body, help heal your gut, and have the best chances of a quicker and healthier recovery.

Aloe Vera Juice ~ Taken internally 98 - 99% pure aloe vera is known to aid in healing stomach disorders, ulcers, constipation, food allergies, hemorrhoids, rectal itching, colitis and colon problems. It is also helpful against infections, skin cancer and used in the treatment of AIDS.

Amino Acid Complex~ Necessary for repair of mucous membranes of the intestines. Helps to supply necessary protein to the cells. Liver breaks down proteins when eaten, amino acids help take the strain off the liver. The liver also removes toxins from the body. Amino acids also help protect the body from free radicals and toxins by fortifying the liver. A healthy liver will have a proper balance of bile production and maintain the alkaline levels in the body.

B Complex ~ Needed for proper muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract. B vitamins improve circulation, build red blood cells and absolutely necessary for liver function. Take with meals to avoid stomach upset.

Dairy-free Probiotic (Acidophilus) ~ Aids in digestion by producing certain digestive enzymes and for the manufacture of the B vitamins such as biotin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, B12 and B6. Probiotics are used to replenish the "friendly" bacteria and maintain the bacterial balance which is necessary in the treatment of IBS. Discourages the growth of harmful bacteria and parasites. Also aids in reducing inflammation and protects against food allergies. Use a nondairy formula.

Fennel Tea ~ Powerful aid that calms and reduces intestinal spasms. Relieves abdominal pain, colon disorders, and gas. Promotes the function of the kidneys, liver, spleen and clears the lungs. Good after chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. The seeds of this plant help to rid the intestinal tract of mucus and aid in relieving gas.

Flax Oil ~ Needed to protect the intestinal lining. Has antioxidant properties and may protect against and prevent the spread of cancer.

Ginger Tea ~ Soothes the stomach, reduces nausea and aids in digestion. Fights inflammation, cleanses the colon , reduces spasms and cramping. Aids in circulation, arthritis, fever, motion sickness, nausea and muscle pain. Ginger is a strong antioxidant and protects the liver and stomach. Helps the body to maintain the acid-alkaline balance and combats the overgrowth of yeast. Ginger tea can be made with fresh ginger or with a high grade brand. If you have a history of gallstones consult your doctor before using ginger.

Glutamine ~ A major metabolic fuel for the intestinal cells. Speeds repair of the gastrointestinal lining and helps maintain the proper acid-alkaline balance in the body. Maintains the villi, the absorption surfaces of the gut. Aids in maintaining muscle throughout the body as well as promotes mental functions. Glutamine also aids in treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, repair of tissue due to radiation treatment for cancer as well as decreases sugar cravings and depression. Helps protect the liver from acetaminophen overdose. Don't take with milk, best on empty stomach so there is no interference with absorption. You can also take with 100mg C for better absorption.

Multivitamin ~ Supplies those nutrients lost or not absorbed and all nutrients are necessary to maintain proper balance within the body. When hit by any major illness let alone chronic disease, the body is depleted of a number of key nutrients. Use a hypoallergenic formula.
 
Quercetin ~ Helps control reactions to allergies especially those related to foods. The bioflavonoid in quercetin helps the body use vitamin C. It also helps improve the digestive tract making its an unfriendly environment for yeast, 'bad' bacteria and parasites. It also helps to promote circulation, assists in the production of bile, and lowers cholesterol.

Vitamin C ~ Reduces inflammation, stimulates the immune system and restores the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal tract which helps to regulate bowel function in IBS patients. It also helps provide a healthy environment that helps control the overgrowth of yeast, bacteria and parasites. Vitamin C has powerful antioxidants that neutralize damaging superoxide free radicals which improves liver function. Powerful anticancer agent that promotes the production of interferon in the body. Buffered form is best for IBS sufferers.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.