Question: I have recently been diagnosed with IBS and was wondering if a low fiber diet could help me? I typically do not enjoy foods that are high in fiber so I was wondering if going the other way and cutting down on fiber would be beneficial? Thank you.

Answer: We have not heard of a low fiber diet being used to treat IBS. A low fiber diet is counterintuitive when you are trying to alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome because fiber is the compound that helps form stool and allows it to pass through the colon more easily.

A low fiber diet would either further constipate you or to worsen the diarrhea you are experiencing. In either case you are not treating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but making them worse.

Just because you do not typically enjoy high fiber foods does not necessarily mean you have to alter your diet substantially. Add some high fiber foods that you enjoy and consider taking a fiber supplement as part of your daily routine.

You should consult with your physician before adding any supplements just to make sure they are not going to interact with anything he or she may be prescribing. We hope that this information will allow you to keep your low fiber diet by adding a supplement. Please feel free to check back in if you have any other question.